The word mudra can refer to a
number of different physical yogic gestures made with the body,
hands and even the eyes, that are symbolic of some level of
spiritual consciousness. The type of mudras we will be
concerning ourselves with in the 3M's article series and Sacred Sound Seminar will
be those done with the hands.
While mudras are
spiritually symbolic, they have the power to affect us on the
physical, mental and emotional levels as well. Every area of
the human hand forms a reflex zone that corresponds to the
operating systems of not only the physical body, but those of the
logical and empathic areas within the brain as well. This
creates an almost unlimited possibility for beneficial stimulus and
response.
Relief from physical pain
is one area where mudras can be particularly useful. I
personally suffer from chronic lower back pain, the result of years
of sports related injuries and several bulging discs. That is
to say, I suffer from chronic pain whenever I'm not holding the
'back mudra'. For me, I have only to connect my fingers in
the appropriate way, and within 30 seconds I begin to feel some
relief.
Other mudras related to
physical health include gestures for asthma, constipation, improved
hearing, high blood pressure, impotence and the 'life saver mudra'
which has been proven to increase the chances of surviving cardiac
arrest.
There are also numerous
mudras that can be used to help achieve altered states of
consciousness. Some spiritually significant mudras like the
dharmachakra gesture (the mudra symbolic of turning the wheel of
law) are practiced in todays modern Buddhism, exactly as they were
in ancient times by Buddha Gautama himself.
Mudras, however, are not
limited only to the realms of science and medicine. Mudras
can be used to invoke the powerful energies of Gods and Goddesses
like Ganesha, Garuda & Kubera. Also, they can be used
like talismans of protection, expelling negative energies.
In certain schools of feng
shui, mudras, along with mantras and visualization, are used to
empower and activate specific cures. While in yoga ashrams
they are employed to activate the body's subtle energies, spinning
the chakras, and encouraging the flow of shakti (power or
energy) to stimulate the kundalini serpent energy.
In the final installment
of the 3M's article series, we will explore the use of one of the
last known energy based languages and marry the use of mudras and
the mala prayer beads to the power of Sanskrit mantra for a body of
knowledge that can be truly life-changing.
If you are truly serious
about changing your karma (and giving your dreams a chance to come
true!) sign up for the SACRED SOUND SEMINAR. This
three part workshop will be a mirror of the 3M's article series,
but with far more detail and elaboration. Enroll now to get
first pick of Creative Medicine's new assortment of crystal
malas!
