What Is The Dhyana Mudra? Preparing For Enlightenment

1. WhatIsTheDhyanaMudra?Preparing ForEnlightenment Dhyana. It sounds like the name of a Nirvana-look-a-like, new age grunge band. Perhaps you’ve briefly heard them screaming zen mantras while flipping through radiostations? Or, perhaps not. Dhyana isn’t a band likeNirvana. However, like Nirvana, dhyana is actually a Buddhist state of consciousness achieved through meditation. Dhyana in Sanskrit simply means “meditation.” But, more accurately, dhyana is the “source” of meditation — a balanced state of mind, encompassing all states of consciousness with non-dual awareness. It is the origin ofenlightenment. Pretty far out, right? Let’s go one stepdeeper.

2. What Is The DhyanaMudrā? The Dhyana Mudrais one of the most prominenthasta mudrās (hand gestures)in Buddhism. You can learn more about mudrashere. It is believed to have been used by Gautama Buddha (Siddhartha) throughout his life — most notably during the famous moment of his enlightenment under the Bodhitree. However, even before Siddhartha, it was used by yogis of antiquity to deepen concentration during meditation (Siddhartha just nailed itfirst). This mudrā symbolizesbalance. It is used to balance duality across mind, body, and spirit — action and stillness; thinking and feeling; masculine and feminine; enlightenment andillusion. A “perfectly balanced being” is thought to cause and be the effect of enlightenment, which is why this mudrā is considered to be particularly important andauspicious. How Is Dhyana Mudrā Practiced?

3. To practice the Dhyana mudrā, gently extend your fingers with your palms facing to the sky. Place your right hand on top of your left hand. Overlap your fingers so that you can comfortably raise the thumbs and connect them, creating a bowl ortriangle. This gesture is typically done while in seated meditation. It can be incorporated into more active forms of meditation, but to fully access the dhyana state, it is better practiced in stillness with awareness of the breath(pranayama). Here is a fantastic infographicon how to best combine mudras with pranayama by spiritual teacher and master, Deborah King (author of Mindvalley’s Be A Modern MasterProgram). Some variations of this mudra are done with just the left hand, symbolizing the feminine principle ofwisdom. If what you need is power for self-exploration and self-discovery, the feminine spirit can help with thiseffort to look within. — DeborahKing What Is Dhyana Mudrā‘s SymbolicSignificance? At the core of all Buddhist philosophies are 3 highly valuedprinciples: Dharma — Learning, truth Sangha — Community Buddha — Buddhahood,itself Together, they are called the Triratna, or the threejewels. The triangular geometry of the Dhyana Mudra symbolizes these three jewels. This triangle, called a “mystic triangle,” is also symbolic of the spiritual fire that illuminates the dark and incinerates impurities. In idols of the “medicine Buddha,” this mudrā is also symbolic of a medicine bowl, which is said to contain the elixir of life. Within our bodies, our left hand represents feminine energy, while our right hand represents masculine energy. So, when practicing this mudra, the balance of these opposing energies is symbolized in the connection of thethumbs. The image of the bowl, in this gendered sense of the Dhyana Mudra, symbolizes the transmutation of sexual energy. In meditation, the bowl is filled up with sexual energy, allowing the practitioner to redirect this energy into a non-sexualpurpose.

4. Above all, the Dhyana Mudra is a symbol of the mystical state ofdhyana. The right hand represents the knowledge and truth of enlightenment, while the left hand represents the illusory nature of the Universe. The balance of these radically different truths is perfectly embodied as one fluid truth in the dhyanastate. What Are Dhyana Mudrā’s HealthBenefits? • Spiritual • Develops mindfulness • Evokes spiritualawakening • Integrates Nirvana (bliss), Samadhi (presence), and Samsara (the cycle ofexistence) • Mental • Relieves stress • Improves concentration andmemory • Promotes alertness • Emotional • Heals past emotional traumas • Inspires optimism for the future • Renews emotional energy • Alleviates anger anddepression • Physical • Aids digestion • Improves longevity • Kindlessexual transmutation