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Order IV · Seals of the Elements
Akasha Mudra
आकाश मुद्रा · ākāśa mudrā · Σφραγὶς τοῦ Αἰθέρος
Also: Shuni Mudra (Kundalini Yoga)
42
Thumb and middle finger meet: fire touches the finger of space. The seal of the aether and of patience.
- Meaning
- Seal of the Aether
- Tradition
- Indian elemental hasta-mudra practice; Shuni Mudra in Kundalini Yoga (3HO)
- Hands
- Both hands, same form
- Placement
- Palms up, hands resting.
- Associations
- Aether or space (middle finger); Saturn in Kundalini Yoga.
- Level
- Beginner
Formation
- Touch the tip of the middle finger to the tip of the thumb, without excessive pressure.
- Keep the index, ring and little fingers extended and relaxed.
- Form the same seal with the other hand.
Example Meditation
Rest the hands, palms up, in the seal. Breathe softly and attend to the space around you and within you. The seal supports hearing and opens an inner spaciousness, with patience and discipline.
Effects
PhysicalΣῶμα
- Hearing. Satyori gives it for hearing and ear congestion.
EmotionalΘυμός
- Open space. It is used against the feeling of being closed in.
IntellectualΝοῦς
- Patience and discipline. In Kundalini Yoga, Shuni Mudra builds patience, discipline and responsibility.
SoulΨυχή
- Balance of space. It balances the space element, the subtlest of the five.
AscentἈνάβασις
- Αἰθήρ. The aether is the bright upper air where the Gods dwell. The seal opens the inner space through which the soul rises toward it.
Finger Key
| Finger | Element | Right hand |
|---|---|---|
| Thumb | Fire | joins the middle finger |
| Index | Air | extended |
| Middle | Aether | joins the thumb |
| Ring | Earth | extended |
| Little | Water | extended |
Cautions and Variants
Variants. Not to be confused with Shunya Mudra, where the middle finger is folded under the thumb.
Recommended for Every Zevist Library
Gertrud Hirschi, Mudras: Yoga in Your Hands
The standard practical manual of the hand seals, with their indications and meditations. The Temple of Zeus recommends it as a purchase for every Zevist library, personal or communal.