Yogii’s special gestures
Namaskar,
In our Ananda Marga, there are numerous practices we have which guide us
through our various activities and endeavours of life. One of which is
the use of mudras because they touch so many aspects of our existence
from our dances & salutations (greetings) to sadhana etc. As Ananda
Margiis not a day goes by where we do not practice a wide selection of
mudras.
Surely many in Ananda Marga knows that mudras refer to very specific
& deliberate body positions. Actually, there are two broad
categories of mudras.
#1: There are mudras that convey a particular idea.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Mudra is the 'externalisation of an
internal feeling' and means 'to express the desires of the mind'." (1)
#2: In some cases, mudras refer to a more strenuous type of exercise than an asana.
Here below is a brief look at the use of mudras in Ananda Marga life.
Some common mudras we use:
namaskar, guru puja offering, sastaunga pranam etc
Certainly many aware about our namaskar mudra. This greeting or
salutation comes under the category of namah mudras. By this physical
movement and positioning, we are conveying a particular idea. Thus, it
is a mudra, and the full meaning of the namaskar mudra is detailed
further down in this email. Suffice to say here that this is one
commonly used mudra for every Ananda Margii.
Plus we use mudras when we kneel and extend our palms in Guru Puja, and
to pay our respects, reverence and surrender to Guru we lie straight in
sastaunga pranam. This also is a type of namah mudra and the full
meaning of the sastaunga pranam mudra is detailed further down in this
mailing.
Another mudra is when we offer something to anyone we touch our right
elbow with our left hand; this comes within the category of sampradam
mudra.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "One should receive or offer something
with the following mudra': Extend the right hand, touching the right
elbow with the left hand." (2)
So these are all types of mudras that convey a particular idea.
How mudras are used in our dances
Moreover, in our dances whether that be kiirtan or a classical dance of
Prabhat Samgiita then mudras are used extensively. In our Baba Nam
Kevalam kiirtan we use lalita marmika with its special mudras and in
classical dance a wide variety mudras are used.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "The science of dance recognizes about 850
mudra's [meaningful gestures], such as namo mudra', lalita mudra',
barada' mudra', abhaya mudra, am'kusha mudra', maha' mudra', ka'kacaincu
mudra', tejasii mudra', a'mbha'sii mudra', pa'rthivii mudra',
va'yavii mudra', a'ka'shii mudra'..." (3)
Altogether, there are thousands and thousands of mudras in human
existence. Even to convey our simple answers of 'yes' and 'no' we nod or
shake our head in a particular way to convey our answer. This also
comes within the category of mudra'.
Here Baba describes more about the common use of mudras in daily life.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "A mudra' expresses Bha'va without
creating any sound. For example, if you call someone to come near you,
you make a particular movement of your palm [gives Mudra']. When you
tell somebody to go away you make another kind of movement with your
palm [gives Mudra']. Similarly, when you feel thirsty and need a glass
of water to drink you make a particular corresponding Mudra'." (4)
Thus mudras are a distinct element in the life of any sadhaka. Mudras
are used in all spheres of existence: Dance, physico-psychic exercises,
ideation, social occasions, offerings etc.
Benefits of mudras
Each mudra plays an important role and they give greater meaning to a given activity or practice. So they have deep value.
For instance one can do sastaunga pranam mentally, but if one does
sastaunga pranam using the proper mudra (as outlined below) then that
creates a greater sense of surrender. And anyone will feel that
beneficial effect in their mind. In contrast, if one does sastaunga
pranam by sitting in a chair instead of lying in prostration, then that
will not be helpful for the mind. That's to say, they have the option to
do complete prostration on the floor, but instead choose to sit in a
chair, then that will undermine one's focus or concentration.
Likewise we can sing kiirtan by sitting down, but by dancing kiirtan
with the appropriate mudra more spiritual feelings arises in the mind.
This is the common experience of many sadhakas.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "In Lalita Ma'rmika, the position of the
arms is above 90 degrees. This denotes that it is a Mudra' - in
Sam'skrta it is called a 'Mudra''. This Mudra' means, 'O Supreme
Creator, Thou art mine and I am Yours. I am Thine'." (5)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Lalita ma'rmika is purely a devotional
dance. The elbows must be placed above the 90° position in relation to
the shoulders. The upraised hands indicate the spirit of surrender." (6)
Thus, when dancing kiirtan, (a) the angle of the arms at the armpit must
be greater than 90 degrees and (b) the hands must be raised upwards -
that means the section of the arm from the elbow to the fingers must be
pointed towards the ceiling or sky.
If one chooses to do kiirtan lying down, even though they have full
opportunity to dance lalita marmika, then that will definitely hinder
one's inner flow.
So in our kaoshikii & tandava dances, the mudras employed provide
tremendous force and make the body, mind, and spirit healthy and strong.
So the benefits of mudra are well known when done correctly.
Because if purely out of laziness etc, one chooses to do namaskar just
by nodding their head in a particular direction, then that will not
suffice - it will not help to spiritualize the mind. By nodding one's
head concentration will be adversely affected; it will detract from
one's spiritual ideation in doing namaskar.
In contrast, the right or designated mudras support the flow of mind.
Mudras used in sign language, emergencies etc
Verily mudras play a role in so many facets of society. For instance,
the entire foundation of sign language is based on the concept of
mudras, i.e. expressing an idea through particular positions, postures
and movements.
Another way that mudras are used in day to day life is if one wishes to
communicate verbally with someone but cannot due to extenuating
circumstances. For instance, suppose a person is suffering from sore
throat or laryngitis, then they can express numerous ideas through hand
and body positioning.
Likewise, if two friends are in a crowded city during the time of a
festival or protest, then it may be too loud for them to speak to one
another. In that case, they can employ various gestures and postures to
communicate what they wish to say such as by winking.
Also in a populated room, one can secretly convey their idea to a close person through mudras without others knowing.
If one is in a remote area of the forest or mountains and too far to
communicate by voice then they can convey their ideas through hand
signals such as to a plane flying overhead. Likewise in other emergency
situations, mudras can be very useful.
So there are any number of circumstances where mudras play a practical and pivotal role in day to day life.
Great importance in the realm of spirituality
Certainly, as noted earlier in this letter, mudras are key elements of
spiritual life. Their main attribute is that they engage organs - eyes,
arms, feet, hands, ears etc. And by engaging those bodily organs in a
mystical practice then that enhances one’s concentration. Why? Because
the mind is getting reinforcement from the body, and by that way the
mind will not drift from the Goal.
For instance, when dancing kiirtan, and when doing sastuanga pranam, and
when sitting in dhyana mudra, and when standing in position for
tandava, then those bodily organs are giving emphasis and momentum to
the mind. The body is supporting and reminding the mind of its aim. Here
we have to remember that the mind has the potential to flow in 1000
directions and if one's organs are involved in a different or
conflicting manner, then the mind will not be pointed. Rather it will
get distracted. For instance, suppose one tries to do dhyana while
eating ice cream, then the mind will surely lose its concentration
because the organs are giving it a different signal. Whereas if one's
body is set in dhyana mudra then focusing on dhyana will be
comparatively easier.
Essentially, the more the body is engaged in one's spiritual practice,
the more the mind will positively focus in the right manner.
And even animals use mudras. For instance, When eating, hunting,
gathering the flock or herd, and in numerous ways, animals use mudras to
convey their feelings and intentions. Elephants mourn their fallen by
standing in particular style. Birds guide the flock to fly in formation
through different gestures. And verily just about the entire animal
kingdom employs mudras to communicate.
Lack of mudras bring mental tension
Unfortunately, when deeply engrossed in this materialistic era, people
rush around so much that they do not have time to follow the proper
mudra system in their practical life. Indeed they often do not know what
mudras are.
Instead of eating in a proper manner they eat while driving their car
and do the "drive-thru" etc. They feel they have no time to do things in
a proper and systematic way. Instead of properly offering water to
someone they just leave it on the table for anyone to grab and they do
not politely give it directly in their hand using the correct mudra etc.
In that way, in modern materialistic life - especially in the cities -
everything gets done in a shortcut manner. Because of this people are
losing their mental balance and composure. What bliss one gets from
sastaunga pranam cannot be gotten by just mentally doing sastaunga
pranam etc. Now common people are losing the link between their heart
and mind - they are just mechanical in their dealings.
This is the sad state of affairs nowadays. For Ananda Margiis, though,
by Baba's grace we are moving along the path of dharma in our each and
every thought, word, action, & gesture. Even then we should be
careful not to fall into that shortcut syndrome of materialistic bent of
mind.
Namaskar,
In Him,
Yogeshvar
~ In-depth study ~
How mudras exercise the body
Another broad category of mudras is when they are used as a form of
physico-psychic exercise. In that method, mudras have a distinct use
that is different from that of an asana.
As many know, asanas are positions of ease where there is not need to
put forth any sustained such as in padmasana or viirasnana. One can
easily & comfortably remain in those positions for long periods. But
with mudras, great effort must be exerted to hold the pose. For
instance, in uddayan mudra one has to bend forward and draw the naval
point in and hold the breath - it takes great effort and cannot be held
for a long time.
Here Baba talks more about the differences between mudras and asanas.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Mudra's are postures which exercise the
nerves and muscles...The practitioner of mudra' may or may not enjoy
physical comfort and mental composure. During the practice of mudra's
one has to continue one's conscious endeavour to remain in that posture,
but in the case of a'sanas one need not." (7)
Ananda Marga ideology states, "A'sanas are calm, quiet and easy postures
which are held with proper inhalation and exhalation. They exercise the
nerves, tissues, glands and organs of the human body. While practising
a'sanas one enjoys physical comfort and mental composure." (8)
Commonalities between mudras and asanas
Mudras and asanas both provide either a pressurizing or depressurizing
effect on particular gland or sub-gland and that affects the glandular
secretions which in turn affects the related propensity.
In general, by applying pressure that increases the glandular secretion
and that increases the particular propensity. Whereas taking pressure
off a particular gland works in the opposite manner. It decreases the
secretion and activity of the corresponding propensity.
For example, we can apply pressure to our manipura cakra by doing
mayurasana (peacock pose) or by doing agnisara mudra. Both increase the
glandular secretions of that area.
And when we do our sarvaungasana (shoulderstand) and matsyamudra (fish)
then we are alternately applying pressure and taking pressure off of our
thyroid gland. If the thyroid gland is underactive then we should do
sarvaungasana and if it is overactive then we must do matsymudra. And
for those who are healthy persons then practicing both is ideal.
Special process of mudras and asanas
Here Baba describes in greater detail how our asanas and mudras work.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Each and every mudra' affects certain
human glands in a particular way and thus influences people's minds
accordingly." (9)
Baba says, "All a'sanas [and mudras] have either a pressurizing or
depressurizing effect on the glands and sub-glands. For example,
mayu'ra'sana [peacock posture] has a pressurizing effect on the
man'ipuracakra. The secretions of the glands and sub-glands of the
man'ipura cakra and the propensities associated with them will become
more balanced if this a'sana is practised regularly."
"If someone has a great fear of public speaking, it means his man'ipura
cakra is weak. Through the regular practice of mayu'ra'sana, this
propensity will be controlled and fear will be eliminated."
"Other a'sanas [and mudras] may have a depressurizing effect on the
man'ipura cakra, and if these a'sanas are performed regularly the glands
and sub-glands associated with the cakra will become less active.
Increased glandular secretions generally make the propensities more
active and vice versa."
"By practising a'sanas [and mudras] regularly, one can control the
propensities and either increase or decrease their activity. So
spiritual aspirants should select the a'sanas they perform very
carefully. This
effect of a'sanas on glands and sub-glands has never been revealed before." (10)
Our namaskar mudra
As many know, when we say namaskar, first we raise our palms together
and touch the trikuti point with our thumbs. By this we are recognising
the center of the mind which is at the ajina cakra. And then we lower
our palms to the heart or the anahata cakra. By this way we are
acknowledging the feeling of heart, which is one of the subcenters of
the mind as it is responsible for feelings of love, affection,
dedication, and respect.
So when we do namaskar, we are paying our deepest salutations to Parama
Purusa with the full feeling of our mind and heart. And when doing the
mudra we say, 'namaskar'. This everybody understands.
By this manner we are saluting the Divine Entity inside the next person
and by this way our entire mind & heart gets spiritualised. Because
doing the mudra is very helpful for inculcating the proper ideation.
It is just like if you try doing sastaunga pranam from a standing
position then it does not work nearly as well as when you do sastaunga
pranam while lying on the ground in the proper mudra. Here the whole
point is that the mudra supports the ideational flow in the mind since
when we do any mudra then it brings the mind and body into one parallel
position, which ultimately reinforces the idea in the mind.
That is the specialty of our namaskar mudra.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "We say, Namaskár. That is, “I pay
respect to the Supreme Entity residing within you.” You should remember
this. “I concentrate all the good feelings of my mind here in the
trikut́i [between the eyebrows].”...So many thoughts are in your mind.
But you should concentrate all your thoughts at a particular point, here
– that is, with all the strength and goodwill of your mind you are
doing this – you are touching these two palms here [trikut́i]. That is,
you are concentrating all your goodwill here, because you are paying
respect to Parama Puruśa residing within this body; this body; this
body; this body [pointing to different people]. First do this."
"And not only mental concentration, you are human beings, you have
got so many sentiments also. Human sentiment, you know? When you feel
much joy you burst into tears, when much sorrow you burst into tears.
These are sentiments. And human beings are guided by sentiment, more by
sentiment than by logic, you must not forget it – more by sentiment than
by logic. So your sentiment is also there, so with all the
concentration of your mind and with all the sweetness of your sentiment,
from the very core of your heart, you are paying respect to Parama
Puruśa residing within human structure. So you do this [palms together
at mid-point of chest], and say, Namaskár."
"I think you have understood it? A very sweet idea. So it is my
opinion, my desire, that human society [be] one, indivisible; it is an
expressed form, a sweet expression, of Parama Puruśa, to whom you should
always pay respect by doing namaskár." (11)
Our sastaunga pranam mudra
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Prostration is called sas't'aunga
pranama...Of the five sensory organs (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, and
skin), one, the skin, can be omitted, and of the five motor organs
(vocal chord, hands, legs, excretory and genital organ), one, the vocal
chord can be omitted. This leaves the eight constituent parts. And the
prostration made with these eight body-parts is called sas't'aunga
pranama." (12)
As we many know, sas't'aunga pranam is only done to Guru, not to anyone else.
Here following is the etymological meaning of the term sas't'aunga.
sa + as't'a + unga = sas't'aunga
(with) (eight) (parts) = with eight parts
Thus, as Baba tells us in the above quote, "the prostration made with these eight body-parts is called sas't'aunga pranama."
In Baba's small encyclopedia book known as Laghu Nirukta, on pages
337-38, Baba clearly defines that sastaunga pranam means to lie down in
front of Guru like a stick, completely straight. Specifically, when in
the lying posture, both the arms get extended straight over the head
with the palms face down. Thus from the very tip of the fingers down to
the bottom of the feet, one's entire body will be one perfectly straight
line.
As a general rule, the amount of floor spaced needed to do sas't'aunga
pranam is 2-3 feet more than the actual height of the person.
In Laghu Nirukta, Baba also clarifies that the Personality to whom you
do sas't'aung pranam does not derive any benefit per se. Rather those
doing this practice get 100% of the benefit in the psychic and spiritual
spheres. Hence this practice of sastaunga pranam is a scientific
process for acquiring greatness.
Baba also guides us that biological reasons, women should not do the
full mudra aspect of this practice. There is a particular positioning
for females given by Baba that brings welfare and maximizes the benefit.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Sáśt́áuṋga prańáma: Sáśt́áuṋga prańáma is
a symbol of simplicity. It is to be done only to Márga Guru. It
signifies surrender to the ideology. Women can do salutation by touching
the ground with the forehead instead of full prostration." (13)
Janusparsha mudra & varabhaya mudra
Of all of the many mudras, perhaps the two most significant mudras are
Baba's janusparsha mudra and His varabhaya mudra. To receive these
mudras, in the past bhaktas from all across the globe would do much
penance and undergo arduous journeys for a glimpse of that mudra, and
now one can receive the blessings of these two mudras by their sadhana
and dhyana etc. By concentrating on Guru in this mudra one can verily
reach the ultimate goal - experience nirvikalpa samadhi - attain the
final destination. So these two mudras are vital in spiritual life.
Ananda Marga ideology states, "Utilizing the vibrations created for
eternal time by Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrtijii through jánusparsha and
varábhaya mudrás, take yourself and the entire universe ahead along the
path of all-round welfare. Oṋḿ shánti!" (14)
Thus we should be intimately aware how to use mudras in each and every
sphere of our existence as they bring great meaning and flow of bhakti
in the life. Those who are unaware should learn so they can get the full
benefit, otherwise they cannot receive maximum progress and bliss in
their spiritual life etc. In all, everyone should be keen to learn the
mudras essential for our Ananda Marga way of life. They should use these
mudras in all aspects of life: mundane, social, intellectual, and
spiritual.
References
1. Prout in a Nutshell - 18, p.34
2. Caryacarya - 2, 'Social Norms, pt#3
3. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 8
4. Ananda Vacanamrrtam - 12, "Dances and the Path of Vidya'
5. Ananda Vacanamrrtam - 12
6. May 22, '79, Hannover, Germany
7. Yoga Psychology, 'Q & A on Meditation'
8. Yoga Psychology, 'Q & A on Meditation'
9. Namah Shiba Shantaya, Discourse 2
10. Yoga Psychology, 1998 Edn.
11. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 30
12. Ananda Marga Philosophy in a Nutshell - 6, p. 398
13. Caryacarya Part 1
14. Caryacarya - 1, Concluding Words
== Section 3: Important Teaching ==
US is top in school killings by other kids
Typically, a country experiences a lot of violence during a civil war or
in a failed state. The case of the US it is very different. Even during
times of peace, per capita, the greatest number of crimes occur in US
on a daily basis. Children are also not spared. This is the curse of
capitalism and wealth.
Due to violent video games and gruesome movies, even small kids in the
US are becoming more cruel. See the below article. An 8-year-old boy was
harshly bullied and killed by other students in the school. The
solution is that there should be restrictions on the production and
distribution on violent movies and video games. Just a alcohol and drugs
are prohibited in the same way small kids should not be allowed to
watch these films until they reach their formative years. At the same
time, the feeling of univesal fraternity should be inculcated and taught
from one’s childhood. Then they will look upon the next person as their
family member. All human beings are the progeny of the same Cosmic
Father. Without this teaching this problem cannot be solved.
Ohio 8-year-old boy was killed by classmates
~ Courtesy of NBC News ~
“The homicide detective, which was shared with The Associated Press,
describes what he saw in the surveillance video. The detective said it
appeared that the "primary agitator" hit one child in the stomach,
sending him to the floor on hands and knees. The 8-year-old then
approached the aggressor and tried to shake his hand but was pulled to
the floor, the detective wrote.
The aggressor "appears to celebrate and rejoice in his behavior as (the
boy) lay motionless. For many minutes, many students step over, point,
mock, nudge, kick" the boy, the email said.” (NBC news)
== Section 3:
Links ==
