Mudra's and resonance.

The mudra's are positions of the hand. They are usually performed using both hands as a mirroring of each other. Most commonly they are used for individual meditation. In healing they can be used to gather and transmit particular ener-gies. Either with the left hand in mudra and this energy then channelled with the right hand (palm centre usually) or they can also be used as a pair(as in many pictures of the Buddha) with the left hand down and the right raised. This last position is more powerful, but only when you have learnt to allow the transmission of energy, rather than pushing it.

The thumb and fingers all relate to a particular type of the energy resonance. While these have been named in some Indian systems as follows, the names are a lot less relevant than the fact that they have different energies. If you know the names by the Chinese system, call them those names by all means - but don't forget to experiment with the feeling of the mudras.

thumb - ether
1st finger - air
2nd finger - fire
3rd finger - water
4th finger - earth

There are five basic mudra forms. All involve the thumbs connecting to a particular finger of the same hand, using the tips only.

Form 1

Thumbs connected to index fingers. This helps to connect the energetic breath to the physical breath. It is the mudra most commonly used in Buddhist meditations. Buddhists sects differ in whether the mudra faces up (palms up) or down. There is definitely more energy in having the palms up. This is the mudra most often used in healing - left hand raised in the mudra and right hand directing the energy. This mudra is also often called the OK mudra. It's shape feeling is a circle.

Note:
In this it is similar to using the Lotus position in meditation. Full lotus position, with both soles of the feet pointing up and using the Form 1 mudra, actualises a physical energy system. This is a very powerful 'egg' shell' shape around the meditator. When people talk of 'building a sphere' of energy - this is the system they are trying to actualise. It isn't nec-essary to 'imagine' this, it's merely a matter of correct posture. Note that you must have a straight back without effort. This is more easily achieved if you don't try to straighten up straight away when you assume the posture. Straightening up gradually over 5 minutes takes the strain away. If you have any strain in your back you won't access this field. A half lotus position is not out of balance - it merely has less energy in the structure of the field.
Note 1: Cross leg positions or using vipassana stools in the Japanese style, don't access this field.
Note 2: There is nothing inherently spiritual about the lotus resonance. As Osho said "Even levitating three feet off the floor you can still be stupid!" Similarly, there is nothing less spiritual about meditating while lounging on a couch. But there is more energy available in the full lotus. If you can't do full lotus, try sitting on a chair, shoes off, with the soles of your feet together and your hands in the Form 1 position. It's about the same energy level as a half lotus.

Form 2

Thumbs connected to middle fingers. The middle finger is fire. This mudra raises an energy through the centre from the solar plexus region to the head. You can feel the energy rising through the inside of your face. This energy is very quick. To play with this energy, sit in lotus if possible, but on a chair is fine - just concentrate closely. Hold the Form 3 position (ether + water) and get used to the feeling. Then change to Form 2. You have to watch closely because it happens immediately. I don't recommend using this energy in meditating or in healing unless you have learnt how to use it from a teacher who understands it. The shape feeling is a point upwards triangle.

Form 3

Thumbs connected to ring fingers. The ring finger is water or emotions, and it's not surprising that it's the left hand one (yin = female) used for the wedding finger. I've blind tested many people who had never heard of mudra's, getting them to tell me what happened for them when they assumed different hand positions. For women, this one has the strongest response. It brings emotions to the surface. It does the same for men - but usually not as immediately or strongly. The shape is a circle/wave from the chest, like a pond that has had a rock thrown in.

Form 4

Thumbs connected to little fingers. The little finger is earth. This form is a very balanced resonance. It's subtle and for many people the energy is not immediately noticeable. I sometimes use it just after a balancing session. It gets you out of the 'healing high' and back to earth for your client. The shape is a square. Playing with these forms will help you to understand different energy resonances.

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