What Does It Mean?

Dhyana mudra is the mudra of meditation or concentration. Most yogis will use this hand gesture when they need to be super concentrated. This mudra is also known as samadhi mudra or the mudra of enlightenment.

If you have done any sort of meditation practice you may naturally find your hands in this position.

While vitarka mudra and bhumisparsha mudra are equally as powerful, this hand gesture has a different reaction on the mind.

Although this mudra was practiced by Gautama Buddha and the bodhisattvas in Hindu and Buddhist culture…

…the hatha yogis were the original practitioners of this mudra.

Yup, even before Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism and all the jazz.

If you are familiar with the eight limbs of yoga…

…then you know that dhyana is the highest state of consciousness or meditation.

In principle, we should all already be enlightened after performing this mudra…

…but it takes a lot of time and practice to even reach such a state.

Let’s take a look at the benefits this mudra provides from practicing daily.

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What Are The Benefits?

The benefits of dhyana mudra include increased focus and concentration, bringing you into a meditative state.

It helps to balance each chakra individually and slows down your thoughts.

If you feel any anger in your heart, this mudra will help you to let go of it.

Since you use all your hands and fingers in this mudra, each of the elements are activated.

According to Hindu tradition, the thumb represents the fire element, the ring finger represents earth, the middle finger represents ether or spiritual connection, the index finger represents air and the pinky finger is connected to the water element.

This mudra will bring you into a state of connection with a higher energy and will get rid of all mental impurities.

The teaching of this mudra is transmitted through stillness and will ignite your spiritual fire.

Since your hands form the shape of a triangle, it represents the three jewels in Buddhism—the teacher, the teachings and community.

It is meant to heal the body and mind, as well as balance the left and right (feminine and masculine) sides of the body.

Since we connect our thumbs in this mudra, it symbolizes both of these energies being merged together and connected in truth.

You may experience a spiritual awakening after practicing this mudra, or feel more embodied and grounded.

How to Do This Mudra

Get into a comfortable sitting position. Make sure you are somewhere completely quiet where you won’t be disturbed. Place both of your hands on your thighs facing upwards to receive, with the left hand on top of the right. The left hand represents the illusion of this reality and the right hand represents wisdom.

Sometimes this mudra is only done with the left hand, representing the wisdom of Shakti, or the divine feminine energy within us all.

It is almost as if you are cradling a baby within your hands.

The tips of the thumbs come to lightly touch and the rest of the body is completely relaxed and at ease.

This mudra would be impossible to do while standing, so make sure you can find somewhere on the ground to sit.

The best pranayama to practice with this mudra would be natural breathing in and out through the nose. It will increase your prana or life-force energy. Bring your attention to the center of your third eye.

With each breath you take, you can focus on a symbolic white light entering your body and aligning all of your chakras. With each exhale, release any negativity or stress that you are holding onto.

Feel completely at peace and allow the healing energy of this mudra to wash over you. Namaste, yogis and yoginis.