ayurveda
How Mudras Connect Mind, Body and Soul
Have you ever wondered why some people hold their fingers in unusual positions while meditating?
These sacred hand gestures, known as mudras, are not just meant to “look cool” — they are a powerful energetic practice rooted in ancient spiritual traditions. They are intentional postures designed to channel energy, focus the mind, and deepen spiritual connection.
Mudras are an integral part of many spiritual lineages, most notably Kundalini Yoga – an energetic healing science that dates back thousands of years – as well as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, classical Indian dance, and yogic disciplines.
Its origins can be traced back to the Vedas, the oldest sacred texts of Hinduism, where mudras were used in rituals to invoke divine blessings and spiritual power.
Over the centuries, these gestures have evolved into essential tools within yoga, tantra, and meditation practices. Their purpose: to help the practitioner direct subtle energies, sharpen awareness, and align with a higher consciousness.
In Sanskrit, mudra means “seal,” “sign,” or “gesture.” Far from mere physical postures, these gestures connect body, mind, and spirit, forming an energetic circuit that speaks directly to our auric field. Each mudra is a subtle energetic signal – each finger position resonating with specific astrological influences, emotional states, and elemental energies.
While some mudras involve the entire body, most are performed with the hands and fingers. Their effects are both profound and practical, enhancing spiritual practice, supporting healing, and facilitating the flow of life-force energy (prana or chi) through the body.
Chakra Balancing Is An Essential Self-Care Practice
I recently attended a very informative talk given by a couple who are both energy healers. The husband is also a respected medium in our area. The topic was the chakra system and how to use it in an energy healing practice.
As a psychic practitioner, I already know a lot about the chakra system, but I am always open to other people’s perspectives and possibly even learning something new. I think it is important in any profession to keep an open mind and to have the desire to learn as much as possible. You are never too old, too wise, or too experienced to gain new insights!
So, I was pleasantly surprised that this talk turned out to be a wonderfully informative experience. In particular, the session reminded me of the importance of keeping one’s chakra wheels ‘in tune’, especially if one is in the business of healing or doing readings.
Clearing and balancing the chakras is vital because when a chakra is deprived of harmonious, free-flowing energy, it becomes unbalanced or even blocked, causing dysfunction in the organs and other mind-body functions associated with that chakra, as well as dysfunction throughout the rest of the entire chakra system.
The Powerful Practice Of Color-Based Affirmation
Affirmations are known to be a powerful spiritual practice for manifestation, self-healing, and personal empowerment.
What is less well known is that associating your affirmations or intentions with specific colors can greatly enhance your practice by infusing it with the powerful symbolism, purposeful energy frequencies, and mind-altering psychoactive effects of different colors. It aligns our energy vibration more powerfully with the desired effect or outcome.
The practice of color-based affirmation, also known as ‘color therapy affirmations’ or ‘rainbow affirmations,’ draws inspiration from a variety of traditions and disciplines, including spirituality, metaphysics, chromotherapy, and color psychology.
Color has a rich history of symbolic significance that spans all cultures and many centuries.
Ancient civilizations recognized both the metaphysical and therapeutic power of color, while many religions and spiritual wisdom traditions have an intricate tapestry of color symbolism in their teachings and practices. The ancient Egyptians, for example, recognized the healing power of color. They had a sophisticated understanding of color that they used in their temples and rituals.
Finding Peace In Your Natural State
While doing a nature hike the other day, the thought occurred to me that we all come from nature, and we eventually also return to nature. This may be why we tend to feel so calm and peaceful when we are out in nature. When we smell a flower, hug a tree, or put our feet in the dirt, it reconnects us to our natural state and brings us back into balance.
It has been scientifically proven that we essentially consist of ‘stardust.’ Our physical body is made of elements that were formed in the stars over the course of billions of years. Our bodies have about 97 percent of the same kind of atoms as that found in the galaxy. As the rock band Kansas so aptly proclaims, “Nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky. It slips away and all your money won’t another minute buy. Dust in the wind. All we are is dust in the wind.”
When you look up at the stars in a clear night sky, especially if you’re in a place where the air is clean and at a higher altitude, one can sometimes see the milky way. In such a moment of awe and wonder, it seems to me as if all time stands still. One’s everyday worries seem miniscule and trivial in comparison to the magnificent vastness and endless beauty of the cosmos.
Our connection to nature further brings to mind the classical elements of earth, water, air, fire, and aether that is still observed in various spiritual traditions, such as Ayurveda, Wicca and Gnosticism. Our existence in this life is essentially a magical alchemy of these elements.
In today’s world we tend to focus so much on how things should be, instead of how they actually are. Maybe much of our modern discontent stems from straying so far away from our natural state of being?
Healing With Herbs
The past two years I have turned increasingly to herbs for natural healing. A good friend told me about herbs and how they help her family and I begin to do research. Soon I started taking herbs and have had excellent results.
Herbal medicine has gone from alternative to mainstream. The proper use of many common herbs (some of which can be easily grown at home) can help keep you healthy. Try herbal infusions in teas, lotions and soaps to see what works best for you.
You may not know the many uses for these common herbs and plant extracts, so I have compiled a list of those I often use in my personal life:
Ginger – known as the ‘universal medicine’ in Ayurvedic tradition for its many uses, including anti-nausea and motion sickness, digestive aid, and circulatory aid. It can be consumed in powder or fresh form.
Basil – has a spicy scent which can be used to revive faintness. It is also useful for an overactive thyroid, improving one’s concentration, and as an antioxidant packed with Vitamins A and C.
Curry – like ginger it is a popular herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Some of its uses include pain relief, ‘brain power’ to help ward off Alzheimer’s disease, and antioxidant. It also has been shown to improve skin tone.
Peppermint – thought to be the world’s oldest herbal remedy. It is used to combat nausea and vomiting, increase mental stimulation, and boost energy levels. It can also be used as a mild analgesic.
Parsley – in addition to being a popular food garnish it helps prevent gall bladder infections and kidney stones. It’s also loaded with antioxidant and deodorizing properties.