The 10 Most Powerful Mudras for Spiritual Growth
Mudras are one of the most powerful vehicles for inner transformation in the vast multiverse of spiritual practices. Derived from the Sanskrit word mudrā meaning ‘seal’ or ‘mark’, these hand gestures and body postures, sometimes hidden in the body, have been used for millennia to reach different levels of spiritual and mental health and actualize our higher states of consciousness or inner potential. Practiced in meditation, in yoga or other healing traditions, they allow us to reach a kind of inner nirvana.
Understanding the Essence of Mudras
Mudras are gateways between the physical and the energetic; they allow prāṇa (internal energy) to move and permit practitioners to become aligned with the energies of the Universe. Each mudra is associated with a set of symbols and intentions, sending vibrations to subtle energies, and affecting the nervous system and the mind to allow us to access specific states of awareness. While mudras are commonly practiced in yoga, they are also found in various other forms of Hinduism and Buddhism, quite a long way from where I grew up in Northern England. The earliest documented written record of yoga’s mudras comes from Kapila, a renowned ancient Indian philosopher. However, their roots can be traced back to more ancient times. Other references to mudras can be found on rock paintings and caves dating back thousands of years, indicating that these gestures were used in ritualistic practices. There are many different forms of mudras out there, and they all have their significance. The more you study them, the more profound your understanding becomes.
Exploring the 10 Most Powerful Mudras
1. Bhumisparsha Mudra The second, called Bhumisparsha Mudra, or the ‘Earth-Witness’ Mudra, is an expression of awakening in the physical connection to the ground. The touch with one’s hand on the floor in a seated meditative position awakens one’s senses to gratitude for connecting with the natural world.
2. Abhaya Mudra The ‘Fearless’ or ‘Protection’ Mudra, Abhaya Mudra (from Sanskrit abhaya, meaning ‘fearlessness’) speaks of inner peace and courage. The gesture is formed by holding one hand on the lap and the other firmly on the shoulder. Thus, the practitioner speaks of a fearless, confident, protected state, as well as of a trusting surrender to the divine and leads the ‘fearless’ dialog with the Buddha after attaining the satori.
3. Dhyana Mudra Dhyana Mudra, also referred to as ‘Meditation’ Mudra symbolizes inner actionlessness and peace of mind. The palms facing up and cupping the hands on the lap, are known to help meditators enter a state of meditation followed by clarity of mind and spiritual insight.
4. Jnana Mudra The ‘Gesture of Knowledge’ or ‘Wisdom’ Mudra, known as Jnana Mudra in Sanskrit, further develops intuition and wisdom. If you bring your thumb and index finger together in a circle, with the hands sitting on the lap, you are more likely to reach higher knowledge and communicate with omnipresence.
5. Karana Mudra Next comes the Karana Mudra or ‘Dispelling’ or ‘Banishing’ Mudra, which can clear away the negative energy and obstacles. Practitioners should touch the fingertips together while sitting in meditation pose, and then concentrate on easy breathing and thoughts of letting go. They would allow past limiting beliefs to evaporate, and invite positivity and transformation into their lives.
6. Shakti Mudra The union of generating and sustaining energy, of channels and blockages, of physical and spiritual power is represented by the ‘Gesture of Power’ or ‘Energy’ Mudra – Shakti (‘shakti’ is ‘energy’ or ‘strength’ in Sanskrit). In this mudra, the hands are held in the lap with palms facing upward, and the energy generated and directed towards the audience or towards objects being blessed is believed to be of a healing, enlightenment and even transcendental quality.
7. Surya Mudra The Surya Mudra, also called ‘The Gesture of the Sun’ Mudra, generates a feeling of warmth and energizes life itself. Beneficial for people suffering from hypothyroidism, it involves holding the fingers together while placing the hands by the navel.
8. Varuna Mudra Second is Varuna Mudra, known as the ‘Gesture of Water’ Mudra for its ability to help calm and purify the emotions. Touching the tips of the fingers while seated in meditation, individuals help to balance their emotions and release emotional stagnation, in turn allowing them to be more fluid and open.
9. Vayu Mudra The Mudra called the ‘Gesture of Wind’ called Vayu Mudra, increase vigour and circulation. Connect the thumb with the index finger as in the picture above and maintain it on the lap. The person regulates the air from inside and gets excellent freshness of mind and energy.
10. Yoga Mudra Yoga Mudra or the ‘Gesture of Union’ Mudra Thus we find a gesture that symbolizes integration and wholeness within the set of yoga mudras: called Yoga Mudra or the Gesture of Union, it consists of the union of the subject’s own two hands embracing in meditation: the left hand is placed behind the back under the armpit while the right hand is placed on top, on the front of the body, or even in anjali mudra, folded together, bringing an element of wholeness not only at the level of physical gesture but also at the level of embodied thought.
Embracing the Power of Mudras
Practising mudras regularly in the context of one’s daily spiritual practice can help enhance your mindfulness, deepen your meditation, and expedite self-mastery along life’s many lessons. Students of meditation, the chakras, solfeggio scales, yogic breathing meditation, yoga, music or many other forms of personal evolution can enhance their energetic awareness through sacred gesture. Mudras offer a powerful vehicle for spiritual transformation for those among us willing enough to explore their transformational power. The transformative potential of mudras offers a clear and guided path to illumination, and when put into practice, they can stay with us our whole lives.
