Chapter 9 - The Mudras
The sage, Swami Swatmarana, compared the knowledge of the Mudras to the possession of a chest full of diamonds. He recommended the greatest discretion in it imparting to others the secret of their power. The Mudras combine the posture exercises (Asanas) and breathing exercises (Pranayama) with psychic exercises. These latter aim at the conscious perception of the pranic organs, or Chakras, and at subjecting them to the action of the will.
A conscious perception of the Chakras is possible because unconsciously we are already in communication with these organs of or ethereal body through certain sensations. By means of appropriate exercises, these sensations can be made conscious. This is achieved mainly through mental concentration.
In order to facilitate concentration, it is necessary to put ourselves into a state of passive receptivity through isolation from the exterior world and through a slowing down of the stream of throughts and ideas which ceaselessly flow through our minds. The ideal state of affairs would be to be able to stop the flow altogether, a very difficult thing to do. Certain physical procedures help us to achieve this, such as complete relaxation, certain postures we shall describe later, and finally, breathing exercises, controlled by rhythmical breathing. Whether we are aware of it or not, the flow of our thoughts is accompanied by muscular contractions, especially of the small muscles of the face, the neck, the abdomen and the hands. Complete muscular relaxation (see chapter on Relaxation) is followed by a slowing down or even suspension of the thought stream.
Combined with muscular relaxation are certain sitting postures like the lotus seat, or Sidhasana, of which we have already spoken. These are of great help in the control of our thoughts. A further aid is Pranayama, the controlled, rhythmical breathing method which we shall discuss later on.
The psychology of concentration training involves the use of the symbolic sickle mentioned by Tibetan Yogis. This consists of cutting off the thoughts as they arise in the mind, the same as you would cut grass with a sickle. The concentration of the mind upon the Chakras and their functioning is achieved by means of the Mudras, of which there are a great many. We shall describe here only the most important ones which are sufficient to attain a voluntary control of the Chakras.
The simplest of the Mudras is called Sambhavi-Mudra. For this we take the lotus seat or Sidhasana. We breathe easily, according to a certain rhythm adapted to our stage of progress, for instance inhaling on six beats, retaining the breath for four beats, and exhaling in six beats. All strain should be strictly avoided, as the attention must remain free. In thus breathing easily, we relax all our muscles, close the eyes and fix our gaze mentally upon the space between the eyes, at the root of the nose, seat of the pineal gland or eye of the soul, seat of the Ajna Chakra.
If this exercise is correctly executed, you will soon arrive at a more or less complete temporary silencing of the stream of thought, which is perfect concentration. At the same time you will perceive, at the point you mentally gaze at, the seat of Ajna Chakra, a curious sensation, hard to describe, very agreeable, and which resembles warmth.
The exercise should not be prolonged at the beginning. Remember that complete relaxation, easy and balanced sitting posture, rhythmical breathing, silencing of thought and perfect concentration are essential to success. As in all Yoga exercises, all straining should be avoided. Stop the second you get tired. Keep on practising with regularity, fidelity and patience, gradully extending the period of concentration and success, - the perception of Ajna - will surely come. The first indication of approaching success will be a certain phenomenon like the feeling of warmth, the appearance of a luminous point or a brilliant eye, its gaze directed towards you, or concentric rings of colour, usually yellow and violet, shrinking and expanding within the rhythm of your breathing.
Thus you will learn to consciously perceive Ajna Chakra, also called the eye of Shiva, precisely because of the form in which it appears. As we have mentioned, the organ of the physical body corresponding to Ajna is the pineal gland which, in its anatomical structure, also resembles an eye.
Gradually, the visual sensation will be accompanied by a tactile sensation such as we feel when our attention is concentrated upon a physical organ.
The conscious perception of the Vishuda Chakra (situated near the thyroid gland at the base of the larynx) is accomplished by practice of Maha Mudra. For this we sit and bend the left leg so as to place the left foot against the right thigh. We then extend the right let and, bending forward, seize the toes of the right foot with both hands. We close the eyes and concentrate our attention on the space between the eyes, as in the preceding exercise, but in pressing the chin against the chest. Since Vishuda Chakra is located at the base of the larynx, it is in close connection with Ajna Chakra. After a little while the same exercise is performed with the left leg.
After some practice, you will feel, in the region of the thyroid, a sensation like that of radiating light.
All Yoga exercises should be performed quite unemotionally, in a detached manner, without any desire to succeed or any apprehension of failing. All of the attention is to be concentrated exclusively on the exercise to be performed. Much of the success in Yoga training depends upon this condition of affective indifference to results. It will be evident to the student that results in the conscious control of the chakras cannot be expected from one day to the next and that the periods of practice must be regular and gradually more prolonged. The more time you give to the Mudras, the sooner you will get positive results. Regular daily practice periods of not less than half an hour are necessary.
According to Yoga, organic life depends upon the three Chakras Anahata (near the heart), Manipura (solar plexus), and Svadishtana (above the sex organs). In this domain, Manipura has a directing function. Before we can dream of extending the master of the will to organic life, a conscious knowledge of Manipura and its functions is indispensable. This is achieved through the practice of Agneyi Mudra. Again assume the sitting position of the Lotus or Siddhasana. With complete muscular relaxation, breathe rhythmically and concentrate attention upon a point situated a little above and behind the navel, eyes closed and in doubling attention at the moment of retaining the breath.
It may be mentioned, incidentally, that this Mudra is the basis of the training which enables the Tibetan Yogis to endure safely the lowest temperatures.
Conscious perception of the Muladara Chakra (in the sacral plexus at the end of the spine) is obtained through practice of Mula Bandha. To this end we assume the Lotus Seat or Sidhasana, in complete relaxation and breathe rhythmically. At the moment of exhaling we stop breathing for a moment and repeatedly contract the muscles of the lower basin as though to lift the organs of this part of the body. The attention concentrated on a point about two inches above the perineum in the lower part of the pelivs. This exercise should be practised with an empty stomach.
Apart from rendering conscious the existence of the Muladara Chakra, this Mudra strengthens the organs of the abdomen which have a natural tendency to move downwards. It relieves constipation. Indian yogis call it the destroyer of decay and death and a promoter of youth.
These exercises called Mudras, are among the more difficult of Yoga exercises. Since results depend, to a great extent, upon correct execution, they should be performed, whenever possible, under the supervision of a teacher.
Next Chapter ð
Previous Chapter ï
Back to Contents Å