mudra
A symbolic or ritual gesture of the hands and fingers used in Hinduism and Buddhism to represent a specific state of mind or spiritual quality. / A seal or sign used in yoga to direct the flow of energy within the body.
Noun
pl: mudras
This term is primarily used within the specialized contexts of yoga, meditation, and Eastern spiritual traditions. It carries a sacred and intentional connotation, referring to a precise physical configuration that serves as a spiritual tool rather than a casual gesture. In a religious or ritualistic setting, it functions as a visual language that communicates specific theological concepts or internal states of being.
Because the word originates from Sanskrit, it is often used in English as a loanword. While it refers to a physical action, the focus is typically on the metaphysical effect—such as the redirection of prana or the attainment of a specific mental state—rather than the mere anatomy of the hand position.
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Related Words
gesturesealyogameditationhandfingerpalmsymbolritualspiritualityenergychakrapranabreathmindfulnessconcentrationbalancehealingwellnesssanskrithinduismbuddhismmantraasanapranayamadharmanirvanaenlightenmentzenmonkgurupractitionerposturepositionsigntokenexpressioncommunicationsacreddivinecosmicflowcirculationmeridianacupressurereflexologytranquilitypeacestillnessawarenessconsciousnessintentionfocusdisciplinetraditionphilosophymetaphysicsauravibrationfrequencyharmonyalignmentcenterspiritsouldevotionprayerofferingblessing