In Hinduism, a mudra (Sanskrit, literally "seal") is a symbolic gesture made with the hand or fingers. Along with asanas (postures), they are employed in yoga meditation practice. Each mudra has a specific meaning, and they are a central part of Hindu iconography. With the onset of Buddhism, many mudra practices were absorbed into the culture. Common hand gestures are to be seen in both Hindu and Buddhist iconography. An example would be the outward-facing open palm known as Abhay (without fear) mudra, a gesture meant to ...

Including:

• Mudra - Abhaya Mudra
• Mudra - Bhumisparsa Mudra
• Mudra - Dharmacakra Mudra
• Mudra - Dhyana Mudra
• Mudra - Varda Mudra
• Mudra - Vajra Mudra
• Mudra - Vitarka Mudra

Read more here: » Mudra: Encyclopedia - Mudra

mudra: (Sanskrit) "Seal."

Esoteric hand gestures which express specific energies or powers. Usually accompanied by precise visualizations, mudras are a vital element of ritual worship (puja), dance and yoga.

Among the bestknown mudras are:

1)    abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness), in which the fingers are extended, palm facing forward;

2)    anjali mudra (gesture of reverence);

3)    jnana mudra (also known as chin mudra and yoga mudra), in which the thumb and index finger touch, forming a circle, with the other fingers extended;

4)    dhyana mudra (seal of meditation), in which the two hands are open and relaxed with the palms up, resting on the folded legs, the right hand atop the left with the tips of the thumbs gently touching.

See: abhaya mudra, anjali mudra, hatha yoga, namaskara.

(See also: Mudra, Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Cin-mudra:

Cin-mudra ("consciousness seal"): a common hand gesture (mudra) in meditation (dhyana), which is formed by bringing the tips of the index finger and the thumb together, while the remaining fingers are kept straight

(See also: Cin-mudra, Yoga, Yoga Dictionary)

Kundalini Developmentalism

The different stages in kundalini and spiritual awakening.

Excerpt from Words From the Soul: Time, East/West Spirituality and Psychotherapeutic Narrative (pgs. 162-165) by (pgs. 162-165) by Stuart Sovatsky

Read more here: » Kundalini Awakening: Kundalini Developmentalism

Instructions On Siddhis

By the process of Hatha Yoga, the Yogi attains perfect physical body-Rupalavanya Bala Vajrasam-hanana Kaya Sampat. "The perfection of the body consists in beauty, grace, strength and adamantine hardness." The power to bear extreme cold and heat (Titiksha), the power to live without water and food and other powers come under the category of Kaya Sampat (perfection of body).

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Siddhis: Instructions On Siddhis

Kriya Yoga is a scientific art of perfect God Truth union and Self-Realization. It was revived by a great Master of India, Babaji Nagaraj, as a synthesis of ancient teachings of the 18 Siddha tradition. It includes a series of 144 techniques or "Kriyas" grouped into five phases or branches.

Read more here: » Kriya Yoga: Introduction to Kriya Yoga

By the practice of Siddhasana, Sirshasana, Sarvangasana, Mula Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha, Maha Mudra, Yoga Mudra, Nauli, etc., a Hatha Yogi transmutes his seminal energy into Ojas-Sakti. By the practice of Navavidha Bhakti (Sravana, Kirtana, Smarana, Padasevana, Archana, Vandana, Sakhya, Dasya, Atmanivedana) and Japa, a Bhakta destroys the impurity of his mind and fixes it on God.

From "Easy Steps to Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Brahmacharya: Sadhana for Success in Brahmacharya

The word Yoga comes from the root Yuj which means to join. Yoga is restraint of the activities of the mind, and is the union of the individual soul with the Supreme Soul.

Hiranyagarbha is the founder of the Yoga system. The Yoga founded by Patanjali Maharshi is a branch or supplement of the Sankhya. It has its own charm for students of a mystic temperament and of a contemplative type. It claims greater orthodoxy than the Sankhya proper by directly acknowledging the existence of a Supreme Being (Isvara).

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga: Hindu Philosophy - The Yoga

Kundalini Yoga

Thus far our soul psychotherapy has drawn from universal spiritual principles of gratitude, forgiveness, poignant impermanence, and the like, while remaining largely within the precincts of conventional developmental theory. In this chapter I broaden our scope more toward the body by delving into the farther reaches of human development as is becoming known in the West under the heading of kundalini yoga.

Read more here: » Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini Yoga and the Far Reaches of Human Development

Meditation Experiences by Sarasvati Buhrman PhD - Part I

Sometime after 350 B.C. a great yogi sage wrote the "Yoga Sutra". This brief translation should wet your appetite. This describes the transformation of mind that will unfold over a course of sadhana (spiritual practice), focusing on the relationship between the mind and the object of meditation.

Read more here: » Meditation: Meditation Experiences According to the Ashtanga Yoga Tradition with Commentary on Patanjali's Yoga Sutra

Brahmacharya is very very essential Even in dreams you must be free from lustful thoughts. It requires long practice and careful watch over the mind and Indriyas. Foolish people hastily jump up to the higher courses in Yoga in vain without having this important item which is very useful for spiritual Sadhana.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga: Hints On Yoga

One should become perfectly desireless and should be full of Vairagya before attempting to awaken Kundalini. It can be awakened only when a man rises above Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada and other impurities. Kundalini can be awakened through rising above desires of the senses. The Yogi, who has got a pure heart and a mind free from passions and desires will be benefited by awakening Kundalini. If a man with a lot of impurities in the mind awakens the Sakti by sheer force through Asanas, Pranayamas and Mudras, he will break his legs and stumble down.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga Sadhana: Yoga Sadhanas for Kundalini Awakening

Mystical Experiences: Mystical Experiences during meditation

These are short explanations of various categories of mystical experiences that Sadhakas will experience in meditation. Includes:

Anahata Sounds: The Mystical Internal Sounds Heard During Meditation

Movement of the Mind

Astral Journey and the Astral Body

Separation from the Physical Body

Visions of Lights in Meditation

Dazzling Mystical Lights in Meditation

Read more here: » Mystical Experiences: Mystical Experiences during meditation

Sahaja Yoga: The Living Tradition of Sahaj Marg

The Raja Yoga system known as "Sahaj Marg" is still relatively obscure in the West, even among Yoga aficionados. This is largely due to the fact that Sahaj Marg has been a low-key, word-of-mouth practice. Works by the lineage of Sahaj Marg Masters, published under the auspices of the Shri Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM), are difficult to locate, and beyond the abhyasis or practitioners of Sahaj Marg, few are aware that SRCM centers have been established worldwide since the Mission was founded in India fifty years ago.

Read more here: » Sahaja Yoga: The Living Tradition of Sahaj Marg

Dhauti, Basti, Neti, Nauli, Tratak and Kapalabhati. These are known as Shat-Karma or the six purificatory exercises in Hatha Yoga.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Shat-Karma: Shat-Karma or the six purificatory exercises in Hatha Yoga.

Four Asanas are prescribed for the purpose of Japa and meditation. They are Padmasana, Siddhasana, Svastikasana and Sukhasana. You must be able to sit in any one of these four Asanas at a stretch for full three hours without shaking the body. Then only you will get Asana-Jaya, mastery over the Asana.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Asanas: Most important Yoga Positions - Yoga Asanas

 Brahmacharya is the vow of celibacy in thought, word and deed, by which one attains Self-realisation or reaches Brahman. It means control of not only the reproductive Indriya but also control of all senses in thought, word and deed

From "Easy Steps to Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Brahmacharya: Importance of Brahmacharya - Yoga and Sex

A full introduction to the practise of meditation.

From "Easy Steps to Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Meditation: Practice of Meditation

Shruti Vedas Rig Veda Sama Veda Yajur Veda Atharva Veda Brahmanas Aranyakas Upanishads Smriti Itihāsas Mahābhārata Bhagavad Gītā Ramayana Puranas (List) Tantras Sutras (List) Stotras Ashtavakra Gita Gita Go ...

Read more here: » Hatha Yoga Pradipika: Encyclopedia - Hatha Yoga Pradipika

Hatha yoga, pronounced /ˈhʌtə/ or /ˈhæθə/, is also known as Hatha vidya. It is a particular system of Yoga propagated by Swami Swatmarama, a yogic sage of the 15th century in India. It is part of the Hindu traditions of Yoga and Tantra, and is a path of spiritual realization leading to the ultimate goal of Raja Yoga, or contemplation of the One Reality. It is what most people associate with the word "Yoga" and is mainly practiced for mental, physical health and vitality outside of India. Hatha yoga - Origins. < ...

Including:

• Hatha yoga - Origins
• Hatha yoga - Concept
• Hatha yoga - Yama
• Hatha yoga - Asanas Postures
• Hatha yoga - Pranayama - The science of breathing
• Hatha yoga - General Directions for Yogasana
• Hatha yoga - Health Benefits ascribed to Yogasana practice
• Hatha yoga - Etymology
• Hatha yoga - In the West

Read more here: » Hatha yoga: Encyclopedia - Hatha yoga