The ancient art of using mudras – symbolic hand gestures – can be a powerful tool for healing the mind and cultivating a mindset of goodness. It's an approach that has roots in the spiritual principles of Ayurveda, discussed in important historical texts like the Srimad-Bhagavtam. This article will explore how you can harness this wisdom to achieve mental wellness.
Understanding the Mind's Origin in Ayurveda
According to the Ayurvedic scriptures, the mind originates from the mode of goodness, known in Sanskrit as sattva. Sattva is one of three modes governing the world alongside the modes of passion and ignorance. As you might guess, the mode of goodness is considered the most superior, associated with purity, self-command, existence, reality, truth, and nobleness.
Highly revered spiritualists and saintly people endorse living a life centered around pure food, meditation, and livelihood that promotes serenity, peace, and calmness, aligning us with this sattvic energy. If we wish to get the best from our minds, it's essential to cultivate qualities that are in the mode of goodness.
Using Mudras to Cultivate the Mode of Goodness
By practicing specific mudras, you can harness the energy of sattva, cultivating its qualities within yourself. Here are several mudras and the fundamental qualities they represent:
1. Essence: Musti Mudra
The Musti Mudra can help concentrate all the pranic essence in the region of the heart, often associated with our desires. Clasp your fist by holding the thumb beneath all the fingers. Position this closed fist on the heart, like a salute. Close your eyes and feel the energy in the heart region.
2. Quality of Purity: Japa Mudra
The Japa Mudra aids in cultivating purity. This mudra involves holding a set of meditation or chanting beads, chanting a mantra of your choice, such as OM or the Hare Krishna mantra. As you chant, feel the touch of each bead on your finger and listen to your voice attentively.
3. Self-command: Unmukhonmuka Mudra
The Unmukhonmuka Mudra strengthens the brain region, gradually improving your task execution. Touch all the fingertips of both hands and connect the fingers as shown. While holding this position, relax your breath and feel the pulse.
4. Existence: Namaskara Mudra
The Namaskara Mudra, or the act of folding your hands in front and slightly bending forward, brings about humility and calmness in the mind, reflecting the nature of existence.
5. Reality: Avahana Mudra
The Avahana Mudra is a beautiful way to acknowledge the existence of the superior universal energy, Isvara. In a prayerful mood, hold both hands, palms touching, and pray to open your heart to receive this universal energy.
6. Truth: Netra Mudra
The Netra Mudra activates the 'fire' in the eyes, aiding digestion and enhancing intelligence. Close your eyes and hold the index finger on your right eye and the ring finger on your left eye for about 6-8 minutes.
7. Nobleness: Abhaya Mudra
The Abhaya Mudra promotes fearlessness, aiding growth, happiness, and contentment in life. To practice, sit in a tranquil position, lift your right hand palm, fingers touching each other, and focus on the energy of the palm. As you give out energy, feel the energy from the universe entering you.
Conclusion
Cultivating the mode of goodness with these mudras can transform your mindset, leading to improved mental health and overall well-being. Remember, even if only 1% of the population embraces this practice, the rest of us will benefit too. So why not make a commitment to integrate these practices into your daily routine? It's an investment not only in your personal health but in the collective wellness of our society. Begin your journey towards a tranquil mind and vibrant life with the power of mudras today