As soon as I take dhyana mudra in meditation – the yogic hand gesture you see above – I feel a coming together and a circle of energy through my hands and around me. I feel grounded and stable.
Dhyana mudra is sometimes also referred to as samadhi mudra. It instils calm and elevates our ability to concentrate and heal.
The triangular or bowl shape formed by the hands is said to bring about a cleansing of impurities with its circling of energy. A deep peace and serenity arise as we remain unmoved by our surroundings.
Dhyana is one of the eight limbs of yoga referred to in the Yoga Sutras attributed to Patanjali. It is translated as meditation. It follows dharana (concentration) and precedes samadhi (bliss).
Connecting the thumbs is helpful from a practical point of view. If our concentration waivers the thumbs part. As we become conscious of this, we can re-connect and re-join the thumbs. This happens with other mudras commonly used in meditation such as chin and jnana mudra, in which the tip of the first finger and thumb touch.
Find a comfortable seat for your meditation practice. Wrap a blanket around your hips if you wish, as this forms a nice ledge on which your hands can rest. Form dhyana mudra, with the right hand on top, close your eyes or lower your gaze, and begin your period of sitting.
You can find guidance on how to establish a comfortable sitting position for meditation here, and how to begin and establish a regular meditation practice here.
I hope you enjoy exploring and practising dhyana mudra. Practise with it regularly for some time and observe its effects and the changes in your life. They can only serve you.
Photos: author’s own
To learn more about practising meditation with Carol: contact.