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What are the role of Mudras in meditation? 		yoga teaching forum home for discussions between students and teachers

 
 


Rod
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Aug 30, 2004, 4:52 PM

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What are the role of Mudras in meditation? Can't Post
What are the role of Mudras in meditation? How do you use them?

Namaste,

Rod
_________________
Yoga au
Yoga is a light; which, once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.
--BKS Iyengar



Rod
Administrator/ Moderator


Aug 31, 2004, 7:31 PM

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Re: [Rod] What are the role of Mudras in meditation? [In reply to] Can't Post
Mudras and States of Awareness* Swami Suryapremananda Saraswati

Mudra is a Sanskrit word derived from the root mud, 'please' or 'delight' and dravay, the causal form of dru, 'to draw forth'.2 It has been so defined because its performance is said to give pleasure and satisfaction to the object of reference (with form or formless), which in turn rebound on the practitioner.
The term mudra has been used with different meanings at different periods of time. In this study I will refer to it as meaning gesture and attitude. Every mudra can be seen as a symbolic expression of psycho-physiological, emotional, devotional and aesthetic attitudes which the practitioner is aiming to ultimately experience.
Mudras are not mere creations of an inventive mind but originally came spontaneously to adepts and still occur today to the jivanmukta, liberated person.3 The fundamental tantric principle behind mudra is that 'whatever is in the macrocosm, also exists in the microcosm.' Man is a microcosm – whatever exists in the outer universe can also be experienced in him. 4
Tantric and yogic literatures describe over one hundred different forms of mudras.5 According to their physical denotations, they can be categorized into approximately five groups: (i) Hasta, hand; (ii) Mana, head; (iii) Kaya, postural; (iv) Bandha, lock; (v) Adhara, perineal.6 Mudras are also mentioned as being of three varieties: gross, subtle and the highest. The mudras formed by bodily parts are considered gross, while mudras formed in combination with mantras are subtle. The highest (causal) mudra occurs when the symbolic meaning of the mudra is experienced or revealed to the practitioner; that meaning is itself the essence of the mudra.
Mudra, like no other yogic practice, is recognized as an external instrument with the capacity to prepare the mind for meditation.7 It sustains the flow of thoughts in preparation for recognizing more subtle levels of perception. It is at this stage that our mind must assume the quality of sakshi bhava, becoming a silent witness to mental activities. Mudra is like a key which opens aspects of our mind for us to view.
Mudras generate cues of the supreme reality, taking the practitioner nearer to the final truth, representing the nearest 'figure' of this truth as a mirror would represent reality. As the mirror reflects what is in front but not behind, similarly different mudras just reflect different aspects of the highest reality. They attempt to preserve the infinite within the finite, as a bowl of water attempts to contain the reflection of the sun. In this way the mudra can be seen as a science of connection between the infinite and the finite.

See Source: For more mudra information

Namaste,

Rod
_________________
Yoga au
Yoga is a light; which, once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.
--BKS Iyengar



Rod
Administrator/ Moderator


Aug 31, 2004, 7:33 PM

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Re: [Rod] What are the role of Mudras in meditation? [In reply to] Can't Post
Mudras show how finger positions and pressure upon certain points of the hands can affect different parts of the body. Often called the "yoga of the hands" mudras are used for healing purposes and for meditation. The beauty of mudras is that they can be used anywhere and at any time.

Namaste,

Rod
_________________
Yoga au
Yoga is a light; which, once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.
--BKS Iyengar



Rod
Administrator/ Moderator


Aug 31, 2004, 7:34 PM

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Re: [Rod] What are the role of Mudras in meditation? [In reply to] Can't Post
http://www.indotalisman.com/whtrmdra.html This links includes further information about mudras, there background etc

Namaste,

Rod
_________________
Yoga au
Yoga is a light; which, once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.
--BKS Iyengar



Rod
Administrator/ Moderator


Aug 31, 2004, 7:38 PM

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Re: [Rod] What are the role of Mudras in meditation? [In reply to] Can't Post

Some Yoga Mudras for Balancing the Five Vital Elements


According to the science of yoga, the human body is made up of five basic elements – the Pancha Tatvas1. The five fingers of the hand are regarded as representative symbols of these vital elements in the body. Specific folds, mutual positioning or postures – called mudras – of the fingers in one or both hands were discovered by the Vedic scientists of yoga for maintaining the natural order and healthy distribution of the pancha tatvas. Any disturbance, disorder or deficiency in these elements or the consequent disease or imbalance could be rectified and cured by appropriate practice of suitable mudras. Regular practice of these mudras is affirmed by the experts as an excellent method of ensuring a radiantly healthy and vigorous life.

The thumb corresponds to the source of balancing the flow of agni tatva. The vayu tatva is controlled by the fourth (or the index) finger. The role of the middle finger in the mudras is for regulating the akasha tatva in the body. The keys of regulating the prithvi and the jala tatvas lie in the ring finger and the little finger respectively. Harmonious proportion of these elements helps in natural maintenance of a vigorous body and a happy mind.

It is really remarkable of human intelligence that it could understand the internal system of the body and its relation with Nature so deeply and create the natural science of health. Naturopathy, Panchakarma, Ayurvedic medication by ras-bhasm and Herbal medicines, Reiki, Pranic Healing, Aroma Therapy, Magnetotherapy, Yagyopathy, Allopathy, Homeopathy, Biochemistry, etc are all manifestations of this spiritual scientific acumen of human psyche. The methods of treatment under each of these systems of healthcare indirectly attempt in correcting the deficiencies or disorders of the five vital elements, because an imbalance in their natural harmony is the root cause of bodily and mental ills.
The science of healthcare by mudras is a branch of “Hathayoga”. The practices of Hathayoga for health focus at regulating the natural flow of vital energy. Any obstruction or irregularity in its flow is believed to be the principal cause of disease. This could be triggered by any disorder in the level or activity of one or more of the panca tatvas. Different kinds of mudras help eliminating such imbalances by inducing specific kinds of bioelectrical currents pertaining to specific tatvas.
Many types of mudras of the body are taught and practiced under Hathayoga. Here, we shall describe only those that are formed by fingers and are effective in health care in a natural way by direct impact on the level and intensity of the panca tatvas.
(1) Prana Mudra: This is recommended for overall good health. As the name suggests, this mudra helps optimal flow of the prana (vital energy) in the body. Practicing this mudra energizes and activates every cell of the body and thus helps in regulating the biochemical and physiological processes and induces youthfulness and alacrity.
This mudra enhances vitality and immune system of the body. It invigorates the defense mechanism of the body and thus increases its capacity to fight against dreaded diseases. Its regular practice is found quite effective in recovery against thyroid problems and several kinds of cancer. More the patient practices it, the greater would be the benefits

Further information here

Namaste,

Rod
_________________
Yoga au
Yoga is a light; which, once lit, will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.
--BKS Iyengar


 
 
 


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