Doing some Bargue freehand copies of hands for my graphic novel class with Andy Fish. Hoping to move toward doing some Mudra Paintings.
Showing posts with label mudra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mudra. Show all posts
Sunday, April 1, 2018
Drawing the Hands - Working towards Mudras
Friday, June 30, 2017
Family of Mudras - Adhi, Adho Merudanda, Merudanda, and Urdhvam Mudra
I exploring using Adhi, Adho Merudanda, Merudanda, and Urdhvam Mudra together as a family. The four mudras are complaimed to worked with
function at an energetic and physiological
level like the gearshift of a car, moving
from low gear to high.
My observations:
Working with these mudras together was a very powerful experience. Working from ADhit to Urdhvam felt like the growing of a flower. Adhi as the seed, Adho Merundanda as the suckling, Merudanda as the stem and Urdhvam was the flower blooming. So beautiful that words can't express. A secret from the divine about the creation of the universe.
Working with Urdhvam to Adhi was like the decline of life to death. Urdhvam was the child, the teenager, openness of youth. Merudanda was the pinnacle of life, success - adulthood being on your two feet. Adho Merudana was shutting down, getting frailer, slowing down, retiring. Adhi felt like a return to earth and death. I got teary eyed.
My observations:
Working with these mudras together was a very powerful experience. Working from ADhit to Urdhvam felt like the growing of a flower. Adhi as the seed, Adho Merundanda as the suckling, Merudanda as the stem and Urdhvam was the flower blooming. So beautiful that words can't express. A secret from the divine about the creation of the universe.
Working with Urdhvam to Adhi was like the decline of life to death. Urdhvam was the child, the teenager, openness of youth. Merudanda was the pinnacle of life, success - adulthood being on your two feet. Adho Merudana was shutting down, getting frailer, slowing down, retiring. Adhi felt like a return to earth and death. I got teary eyed.
Urdhvam Merudanda Mudra
"In this mudra, the thumbs are turned outward in a gesture of complete openness to universal energy. The palms of the hands are turned upward where they can receive and radiate strong currents of energy through and beyond the body. These energies strongly open the breath throughout the lungs, especially the upper lungs. The circulatory system is also activated, and heart rate and circulation
are increased. The psychological focus is opening the heart in order to explore and heal all issues of love and forgiveness."
My observations:
I like this mudra a lot. My tremor is not activated. My spine seems to get straighter my pelvis feels like it is widening to support me seated. My breathing became very full and grounded. My posture felt better, the mudra invited me to roll my shoulders back and down. My lungs expanded. I felt like this is a good calming mudra for me supporting my breathing, my posture and my ability to ground and stay calm. One of my favorites so far. It is very interesting how the body wants to mirror the hands.
are increased. The psychological focus is opening the heart in order to explore and heal all issues of love and forgiveness."
My observations:
I like this mudra a lot. My tremor is not activated. My spine seems to get straighter my pelvis feels like it is widening to support me seated. My breathing became very full and grounded. My posture felt better, the mudra invited me to roll my shoulders back and down. My lungs expanded. I felt like this is a good calming mudra for me supporting my breathing, my posture and my ability to ground and stay calm. One of my favorites so far. It is very interesting how the body wants to mirror the hands.
Merudanda Mudra
"In this mudra, the thumbs, representing the fire element, are extended and turned upward in a gesture
of receiving and generating energy. The closed hands are the batteries for storing this energy, which can then be used in the transformation process. This mudra is therefore heating and energizing, and
focuses on the area of the solar plexus and diaphragm. The symbol for this mudra is the sun. The rays of the sun represent the distribution of energy through all the channels of the body. The psychological
focus is tapas or inner purification. The physiological focus is the digestive system along with the kidneys, adrenal glands, and diaphragm. The solar plexus is the energetic zone where some of our deepest core issues and attachments are held, exposed, and transformed." - Joseph Le Page
My observations of Merudanda Mudra for 20 breaths:
I felt that the pointing up of the thumbs in Merudanda Mudra signaled by back to be straighter. I remember giving this mudra to a client with sciolosis. I really felt the affect on my spine. It wanted to mirror the thumbs. As the energetic zone of the solar plexus was pulling up I felt the digestive and eliminatory organs pulling down. I am having some digestive problems right now. I am working with constipation as well as menstrual camps. But for me today this mudra really was about posture and the spine.
of receiving and generating energy. The closed hands are the batteries for storing this energy, which can then be used in the transformation process. This mudra is therefore heating and energizing, and
focuses on the area of the solar plexus and diaphragm. The symbol for this mudra is the sun. The rays of the sun represent the distribution of energy through all the channels of the body. The psychological
focus is tapas or inner purification. The physiological focus is the digestive system along with the kidneys, adrenal glands, and diaphragm. The solar plexus is the energetic zone where some of our deepest core issues and attachments are held, exposed, and transformed." - Joseph Le Page
My observations of Merudanda Mudra for 20 breaths:
I felt that the pointing up of the thumbs in Merudanda Mudra signaled by back to be straighter. I remember giving this mudra to a client with sciolosis. I really felt the affect on my spine. It wanted to mirror the thumbs. As the energetic zone of the solar plexus was pulling up I felt the digestive and eliminatory organs pulling down. I am having some digestive problems right now. I am working with constipation as well as menstrual camps. But for me today this mudra really was about posture and the spine.
Thursday, June 29, 2017
IDA MUDRA
The entire universe is composed of two forces: consciousness and energy. They are independent and opposite and complementary. Pingala is the positive polarity, the solar force. The Qualities of Pingala are: hot, physical vitality, dynamic activity and tension. Sympathetic Nervous System is represented by Pingala. Mantra is Ham.
Ida is negative polarity, the lunar force. The Qualities of Ida are: cold,relaxation, passivity and sedentary activity. Parasympathetic Nervous System. Some mantras are Tham/Ksham. Ida predominates at night. She is an Introverting Force and is active while we are relaxing, reading, thinking, viewing television or sleeping.
Ida is negative polarity, the lunar force. The Qualities of Ida are: cold,relaxation, passivity and sedentary activity. Parasympathetic Nervous System. Some mantras are Tham/Ksham. Ida predominates at night. She is an Introverting Force and is active while we are relaxing, reading, thinking, viewing television or sleeping.
Ida and pingala dominance are directly related to the flow of breath in the nostrils. When the flow of breath is stronger in the left nostrils it indicates ida is dominant (Right Brain). When flow of breath is stronger in the right nostril then pingala is dominant (Left Brain). When one is sleepy the left nostril will be more dominant.
The Right Hemisphere of the brain is connected to Ida and the left nostril. The right brain governs the left side of the body. It processes information in a diffuse and holistic manner and controls orientation in space. The right hemisphere is sensitive to the vibrational realm of existence. It stimulates creative, artistic and musical abilities. Is responsible for mental, psychic and extrasensory perception
Ida is linked with manomaya and vijananamaya kosha
I have been using Ida Mudra on a regular basis in my Lunar Hatha Class
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Touch the tips of the ring fingers to the tips of the thumbs of the same hand and extend the other fingers.
2. Place the left hand just below the navel, with the palm facing upward.
3. Place the right hand slightly above the left, palm down, so that the joined fingertips of the right hand are directly above the joined fingertips of the left hand, but not touching them.
4. Relax the shoulders back and down, with the elbows slightly away from the body and the spine naturally aligned.
I used the recording today to work with it. I had a lot of problems with the tremor in my left hand. I loved hearing the words "bathed in moon light and receptivity." The music was beautiful and Lilian's voice was very peaceful.
The affirmation is:
"Bathing in soft moonlight energy, I flow with the rhythms of life more easily."
My affirmation is:
"I connect to the Kali and Lalitha. I connect to the lunar goddess and all her aspects and forms. I connect to she who is me."
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Touch the tips of the ring fingers to the tips of the thumbs of the same hand and extend the other fingers.
2. Place the left hand just below the navel, with the palm facing upward.
3. Place the right hand slightly above the left, palm down, so that the joined fingertips of the right hand are directly above the joined fingertips of the left hand, but not touching them.
4. Relax the shoulders back and down, with the elbows slightly away from the body and the spine naturally aligned.
"Ida, which means "comfort," is the name for the lunar nadi, the subtle channel of cooling energy that runs along the left side of the spine, from Muladhara chakra at the base of the body up to the third eye, and then down to the left nostril. Ida nadi is associated with chandra, meaning "moon," and with calming colors such as light blue or silvery moonlight. Ida nadi encompasses our receptive, feminine qualities, includingsoftness, self-nourishment, fluidity, sensitivity and the ability to find pleasure and joy in simply living. As we deepen our connection to Ida nadi, our awareness is naturally drawn inward, cultivating the intuition and inner listening that help to guide our life journey. With enhanced intuition and sensitivity, our powers of creativity awaken naturally, inspiring art, dance, painting or poetry that express the depths of our being. Moonlight energy also awakens us to the power of community in which decisions are made collectively. As we embody all of these lunar qualities, we live each moment of life with greater serenity and equanimity.
Ida mudra activates the free flow of energy within Ida nadi, naturally supporting us in connecting with our lunar, receptive qualities. This gesture brings breath, awareness and energy to the left nostril, left lung and left side of the body. Ida mudra calms and slows the breath while lengthening the exhalation, activating the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting deep relaxation and restoration, thereby reducing blood pressure. As relaxation deepens, our senses naturally turn inward, awakening intuition. This gesture cultivates a sense of self-nourishment, which promotes inner healing while releasing stress and anxiety. The rhythmic abdominal breathing supports the optimal functioning of the reproductive and urinary system."
Le Page, Joseph; Le Page, Lilia. Mudras for Healing and Transformation (Kindle Locations 5907-5917). Integrative Yoga Therapy. Kindle Edition.
I used the recording today to work with it. I had a lot of problems with the tremor in my left hand. I loved hearing the words "bathed in moon light and receptivity." The music was beautiful and Lilian's voice was very peaceful.
The affirmation is:
"Bathing in soft moonlight energy, I flow with the rhythms of life more easily."
My affirmation is:
"I connect to the Kali and Lalitha. I connect to the lunar goddess and all her aspects and forms. I connect to she who is me."
MATANGI MUDRA
I have written a lot about Matangi on the blog. When I found out she had a mudra I was overjoyed.
Mata means thought or opinion. Matangi is the goddess of thought and mind Matangi is the dark mystic, ecstatic or wild form of Saraswati. . . Saraswati is often a goddess of only ordinary learning, art and culture. Matangi rules over the extraordinary, which takes us beyond the boundaries of
convention…She is that part of Sarasvati that is allied with the transforming energies of
Kali.” (Frawley 1994: 140)
In the many descriptions of Matangi, she holds in her four hands: a noose, a sword, a
goad and a club. The noose is an instrument to hang the demons and deterrents to creative process
and personal. The noose may kill ego in order to make room for true nature and authentic self.
The sword cuts through fears and opposition and allows us to be the hero-ine’s of our own
story filled with strength and fearlessness. The goad, like a hook, encourages us to move
forward and remove all obstacles and troubles from our dharmic paths. The club celebrates our primitive nature, and reminds us to stay strong against self-doubt and any other enemies. The club also symbolizes devotion and surrender to a higher power.
Matangi is yama, the dark one. She encourages us to slow down and just sit and rest.“Creativity may involve ecstatic outpourings that are joyous and free, but it always also involves spending time in uncertain places which are frightening and unknown, times when all there is to do is to wait (for
the seeds to germinate), for the bread to rise, for the editor to get back with the comments on the
manuscript). All these, aspects of creativity are part of the process. Matangi’s great power is to be equally at home in all these phases.” (Dinsmore-Tuli, p. 309-310)
Matangi is worshipped with "food from stained hands and lips,” which is a huge reversal of
Hindu rituals that are usually obsessed with purity. She asks for leftover food, which is normally
considered highly polluting, because she emerged from leftover food. “Her special siddhi is the capacity for abundant creativity and the expression of unique vision.” (Dinsmore-Tuli, p. 309)
Matangi is beautiful and unapologetically sexual. One of her names according to Kinsley is “she whose limbs are intoxicated (with passion).” Mata means thought, opinion, wild, and passionate.
Matangi brings awareness of the ebb and flow of the creative process. We can’t force ourselves to create when it is not the time. She reminds us to be in the present moment and take it for what it is.
“Just as there is no point in pressing a woman for sexual intercourse if she is too tired, or too
premenstrual or otherwise at the wrong time of her particular cycle, so too there is no point
in pushing for productivity in the reflective or evaluative phase of the creative cycle.”
Her seat in the human body is the throat, the fifth chakra. It is in the throat chakra that we
speak our truth. “She also resides in the tip of the tongue, the place where in speech is
articulated and wherein we are able to taste the essence of things.” (Frawley, p.142)
In addition, Matangi, the elephant goddess, is related to the ear and our ability to listen and
understand. “Creativity and sexuality are two sides of the same coin.” (Dinsmore-Tuli, p.309)
Matangi is an avatar of Parvati when she dressed as an untouchable to seduce Shiva.
According to Kinsley, Matangi has a few other origin stories besides the Parvarti-Shiva
seduction. The first form is a Buddhist tale about hunter Matanga and his daughter
Prakrti (an early form of Matangi) who falls in love with Ananda. Ananda first encounters
Prakrti when he is looking for water. She refuses to give him water because of her low
caste.
Ananda responds “I am not asking you what your caste is, I am only asking for water.”
Affirmed as a person who is not just an outcaste, she becomes instantly enamored.Prakrti uses her mother’s magic to attract Ananda, who falls for her but later resists herwith the help of the Buddha.
Impressed by the power of the Buddhist teachings, Prakrti becomes a Buddhist nun.
There is also the story Uccista-matangi, who animates from remnants of the food Vishnu
and Lakshmi gave Shiva and Parvarti at a dinner party.Shiva blesses her with the ability to grant
people to control their enemies and obtain objects of their desire by repeating her mantra.
Because the guru instructs through the spoken word, Matangi represents the teachings of a
guru and the guru tradition.
Matangi is the jester. “…. her status as an outcaste gives her the power to inhabit the outer
regions of consciousness where no-one else will go, to say outrageous and alarming things, to be
vilified, despised and humiliated, and through it all to remain surrendered with a clear pure heart
so that what needs to be manifested can find its way out.” (Dinsmore, p. 309-310)
Matangi is also sometimes considered the daughter of the Rishi Matang/Matanga and
she was given to him as a boon for his merits as a sage. “Playing a ruby-studded vina,
ecstatic, delighting in sweet speech, I remember the daughter of the sage Matanga, who has soft dark- emerald limbs.” (Frawley, p.142)
“The Tantrasara at several points says that by meditating upon, reciting the mantra of, or
worshipping Matangi one gains power over others, the power of having everything one
says come true, and the power of attracting people.” (Kinsley, p.220)
“Matangi’s voice is brave and terrifying to those who are constrained by fear to live their
lives according to propriety and expectations. She rattles people, pokes holes in their comfortable boxes of convention, and embarrasses the cowed and silent by singing loud and clear.” (Dinsmore-Tuli, p.312)
I worked with Matangi Mudra using Joseph and Lilian Le Page's guided meditation for Matangi Mudra. I felt a warm yellow energy current extending straight out of my solar plexus. The words that stuck with me from the meditation were "Life Purpose", "releasing what no longer supports your life journey" and "allowing you to overcome all obstacles along your journey."
The affirmation was
"The golden current empowers me with abundant energy and vitality/"
My Matangi affirmation
"I am a dark creative and sensual woman."
Thursday, June 8, 2017
Exploration of 5 Hasta Mudras
I did one Hasta Mudra at a time. I didn't have an transcendental experiences or visualizations like usually just feeling of parts of the body.
ASCENT
1) Pinky fingers touching - KANISTHA MUDRA
- feel in my belly
What is is supposed to activate:
• Deepening our sense of embodiment and connection to the earth.
• The health of the skeletal system.
• Reducing stress and high blood pressure.
• Supporting balanced elimination.
2) Ring Fingers - ANAMIKA MUDRA
- feel in my chest
What is is supposed to activate:
• Cultivating self-healing.
• Supporting the health of the reproductive and urinary systems.
• Developing healthy intimate relationships.
• Overcoming addictions and codependency.
3) Middle Finger - MADHYAMA MUDRA
- feel in my chest and my throat
What it is supposed to activate:
• Stabilizing our level of energy.
• Supporting optimal digestion.
• Releasing tension from the mid back.
• Balancing giving and receiving.
• Unfolding all of our potential.
4) Index Finger - TARJANI MUDRA
- feel in my shoulders and my left back
What it supposed to activate:
• Opening the subtle heart.
• Releasing constriction from the chest.
• Expanding breath capacity.
• Enhancing enthusiasm, which may be helpful for depression.
5) Thumbs - ANGUSTHA MUDRA
- left middle back and upper left arm
What it is supposed to activate:
• Receiving inner guidance and expressing it clearly in the world.
• Releasing tension from the shoulders, throat and neck.
• Aligning the cervical spine.
• Supporting the health of the thyroid.
• Enhancing speaking and singing.
DESCENT
4) Index Fingers - TARJANI MUDRA
- Stomach
- Left middle back and chest
What it supposed to activate:
• Opening the subtle heart.
• Releasing constriction from the chest.
• Expanding breath capacity.
• Enhancing enthusiasm, which may be helpful for depression.
3) Middle Fingers - MADHYAMA MUDRA
- feel in my chest and left middle back
What it is supposed to activate:
• Stabilizing our level of energy.
• Supporting optimal digestion.
• Releasing tension from the mid back.
• Balancing giving and receiving.
• Unfolding all of our potential.
2) Ring Finger - ANAMIKA MUDRA
- Feel in my chest stomach and left middle back
What is is supposed to activate:
• Cultivating self-healing.
• Supporting the health of the reproductive and urinary systems.
• Developing healthy intimate relationships.
• Overcoming addictions and codependency.
1)Pinky Fingers - KANISTHA MUDRA
- Feel in my heart
What is is supposed to activate:
• Deepening our sense of embodiment and connection to the earth.
• The health of the skeletal system.
• Reducing stress and high blood pressure.
• Supporting balanced elimination.
ASCENT
1) Pinky fingers touching - KANISTHA MUDRA
- feel in my belly
What is is supposed to activate:
• Deepening our sense of embodiment and connection to the earth.
• The health of the skeletal system.
• Reducing stress and high blood pressure.
• Supporting balanced elimination.
2) Ring Fingers - ANAMIKA MUDRA
- feel in my chest
What is is supposed to activate:
• Cultivating self-healing.
• Supporting the health of the reproductive and urinary systems.
• Developing healthy intimate relationships.
• Overcoming addictions and codependency.
3) Middle Finger - MADHYAMA MUDRA
- feel in my chest and my throat
What it is supposed to activate:
• Stabilizing our level of energy.
• Supporting optimal digestion.
• Releasing tension from the mid back.
• Balancing giving and receiving.
• Unfolding all of our potential.
4) Index Finger - TARJANI MUDRA
- feel in my shoulders and my left back
What it supposed to activate:
• Opening the subtle heart.
• Releasing constriction from the chest.
• Expanding breath capacity.
• Enhancing enthusiasm, which may be helpful for depression.
5) Thumbs - ANGUSTHA MUDRA
- left middle back and upper left arm
What it is supposed to activate:
• Receiving inner guidance and expressing it clearly in the world.
• Releasing tension from the shoulders, throat and neck.
• Aligning the cervical spine.
• Supporting the health of the thyroid.
• Enhancing speaking and singing.
DESCENT
4) Index Fingers - TARJANI MUDRA
- Stomach
- Left middle back and chest
What it supposed to activate:
• Opening the subtle heart.
• Releasing constriction from the chest.
• Expanding breath capacity.
• Enhancing enthusiasm, which may be helpful for depression.
3) Middle Fingers - MADHYAMA MUDRA
- feel in my chest and left middle back
What it is supposed to activate:
• Stabilizing our level of energy.
• Supporting optimal digestion.
• Releasing tension from the mid back.
• Balancing giving and receiving.
• Unfolding all of our potential.
2) Ring Finger - ANAMIKA MUDRA
- Feel in my chest stomach and left middle back
What is is supposed to activate:
• Cultivating self-healing.
• Supporting the health of the reproductive and urinary systems.
• Developing healthy intimate relationships.
• Overcoming addictions and codependency.
1)Pinky Fingers - KANISTHA MUDRA
- Feel in my heart
What is is supposed to activate:
• Deepening our sense of embodiment and connection to the earth.
• The health of the skeletal system.
• Reducing stress and high blood pressure.
• Supporting balanced elimination.
Thumbs Interlaced - Angustha Mudra Variation
In this Angustha mudra meditation my thumbs are interlocked.
THOUGHTS/VISUALIZATIONS IN THE MEDITATION (I record myself meditation and speak aloud as images and thoughts come to me)
- Putting pressure on interlocked thumbs
- Mind was on the breathwork
- Whale with a spout it is out of a comic book it is not a real whale.
- It is not in water it is more in the sky and there is smoke coming out of its blow hole.
- My mind won't quiet down.
- I see some grass moving in the wind
- I see a smoking pipe
- Rooftop in Calcutta with the guy cleaning the pictures and the smells of gasoline
WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN TO ME
This whale that is in the clouds blowing smoke out of its blow hole is really interesting. Initially, it felt like an expansion of the crown chakra.
But with more thought and research I think it is about the 6th chakra, the nose and the breath. According to wikipedia, "In cetology, a blowhole is the hole at the top of a Cetacean's head through which the animal breathes air. It is homologous with the nostril of other mammals. As whales reach the water surface to breathe, they will forcefully expel air through the blowhole. The exhalation is released into the comparably lower-pressure, colder atmosphere, and any water vapor condenses. This spray, known as the blow, is often visible from far away as a white splash, which can also be caused by water resting on top of the blowhole.
Air sacs just below the blowhole allow whales to produce sounds for communication and (for those species capable of it) echolocation. These air sacs are filled with air, which is then released again to produce sound in a similar fashion to releasing air from a balloon. When whales dive under water their nasal plug covers the nasal passage to the blowhole. The muscles controlling the nasal plug are relaxed during this time, but when the whale comes up for air these muscles contract and allow for the blowhole to be opened and the process of exhalation and inhalation to occur.[1]"
In the meditation I was focused on the breathing, I saw a smoking pipe, and the whale and the blow hole. All of these things seem to connect to the breath and the nose.
WHALE SYMBOLISM
http://www.pure-spirit.com/more-animal-symbolism/509-whale-symbolism
"Whales are creatures that were honored and worshiped by some peoples, like the South American Nasca and the Native American peoples of the Pacific Coast. Others relentlessly hunted the whales, some nearly to extinction. Inupiaq legend from the Arctic region recounts how the Great Spirit created the most perfect animal, the bow whale. In their culture, the whale was treated with great respect and hunters had to go through initiation rites just to be able to hunt them. In these rites, the hunter had to touch the whale all over and assimilate its spirit, medicine, and pain. Europeans also had great respect for whales, because they considered them to be symbols of the world, the body, and the grave. Whales were symbolic of the ocean, a foreign environment that was vital, and what’s more, fatal to men.
Whales seen swimming are a sign of good luck for many peoples, while a beached whale meant ill tidings for the entire community, even disease, since a decaying corpse could spread sickness.
Whales are associated with compassion and solitude, and knowledge of both life and death. They are also associated with unbridled creativity. The exhalation through the blowhole symbolizes the freeing of one’s own creative energies. Sound is also a creative force of life. Whales use sonar and echo-location, linking them to the tutelage of direction and response to feedback. Though whales are symbolic of free use of creativity, they are also teachers of how to use creative energies more conservatively."
WHAT THE SYMBOLISM MEANS TO ME
- I feel like I am finding my voice in my present solitude. I am moving away from everyone else's teachings and expectations and piecing together who I am.
WHAT THE MUDRA IS ABOUT ACCORDING TO JOSEPH LE PAGE
CORE QUALITY
Inner Listening
ESPECIALLY HELPFUL FOR
• Receiving inner guidance and expressing it clearly in the world.
• Releasing tension from the shoulders, throat and neck.
• Aligning the cervical spine.
• Supporting the health of the thyroid.
• Enhancing speaking and singing.
Angushtha is the "thumb," and Angushtha mudra joins the tips of the thumbs together to direct breath, awareness and energy into the uppermost parts of the chest, collarbones, throat and neck. The enhanced breathing and awareness in these areas helps release tension from the shoulders, throat and neck. As tension is released, this gesture supports correct alignment of the cervical spine, alleviating one of the possible causes of neck pain. Angushtha mudra activates the uppermost current of Udana vayu, nourishing the nervous and endocrine systems, as well as the senses. As this gesture enhances the flow of breath and energy to the neck, circulation is increased to the area of the thyroid gland, supporting balanced metabolism.
Angushtha mudra activates the space element, Akasha, whose qualities include expansion, limitlessness and an opening to the subtle energies of our being. Opening to our subtle dimension supports us in cultivating the qualities of non-attachment, spiritual purification and clear communication. As this gesture releases tension from the throat and neck, energetic blockages are released, allowing Vishuddha chakra, our center of spiritual purification, to open naturally. This opening enhances our power of inner listening, allowing us to receive the messages that guide our life journey. Angushtha mudra also supports the awakening of our inner voice,"
Although for Joseph Le Page this mudra is for the 5th Chakra for me it is more for the 6th chakra. I did feel connected to many things this mudra is supposed to do like Inner Listening, Flow of Breath, the Space element, and opening of subtle energies. The gasoline that the guy used to clean the pictures from the lineage feels very much like it could link to spiritual purification. And the releasing of smoke from the whale to energetic blockages being released.
The fact that the whale is in the sky and blowing smoke not water is very much connection to the space element. Akasha is sometimes translated as sky.
"Ākāśa (आकाश, “ether”):—One of the five gross elements assigned as a zone (or sphere) to the human body (bhūtamaṇḍala), according the Yogatattva-upaniṣad. The element ether is seated between the eyebrows and the crown of the head. Ether is represented by a circle (vṛtta), a smoky or grey colour (dhūmra) and the syllable ha (ह). The deity presiding over this region is Sadāśiva."https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ākāśa
LAST TIME I DID THIS MEDITATION BUT WITH THUMBS TOUCHING NOT INTERLACED
I saw:
They Jersey Shore
Old Italian Man who used to sit on Newport Avenue and tell me stories about the diving show
I have tears in my eyes
My grandmother's gray hair
The boardwalk
Him in the bathroom
Stain on the sheets
Camels
Southern Tip of Africa
Tall tall sails
Long Beach-Naples Canals at Christmas
Spaghetti
Daki Miao's hair
Walking streets of Paris with Benedikt
Lying on the bed sick in Greece
So many lies
Insight LA on Sunday morning
My brother
My brother playing monopoly and throwing up the board
THOUGHTS/VISUALIZATIONS IN THE MEDITATION (I record myself meditation and speak aloud as images and thoughts come to me)
- Putting pressure on interlocked thumbs
- Mind was on the breathwork
- Whale with a spout it is out of a comic book it is not a real whale.
- It is not in water it is more in the sky and there is smoke coming out of its blow hole.
- My mind won't quiet down.
- I see some grass moving in the wind
- I see a smoking pipe
- Rooftop in Calcutta with the guy cleaning the pictures and the smells of gasoline
WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN TO ME
This whale that is in the clouds blowing smoke out of its blow hole is really interesting. Initially, it felt like an expansion of the crown chakra.
But with more thought and research I think it is about the 6th chakra, the nose and the breath. According to wikipedia, "In cetology, a blowhole is the hole at the top of a Cetacean's head through which the animal breathes air. It is homologous with the nostril of other mammals. As whales reach the water surface to breathe, they will forcefully expel air through the blowhole. The exhalation is released into the comparably lower-pressure, colder atmosphere, and any water vapor condenses. This spray, known as the blow, is often visible from far away as a white splash, which can also be caused by water resting on top of the blowhole.
Air sacs just below the blowhole allow whales to produce sounds for communication and (for those species capable of it) echolocation. These air sacs are filled with air, which is then released again to produce sound in a similar fashion to releasing air from a balloon. When whales dive under water their nasal plug covers the nasal passage to the blowhole. The muscles controlling the nasal plug are relaxed during this time, but when the whale comes up for air these muscles contract and allow for the blowhole to be opened and the process of exhalation and inhalation to occur.[1]"
In the meditation I was focused on the breathing, I saw a smoking pipe, and the whale and the blow hole. All of these things seem to connect to the breath and the nose.
WHALE SYMBOLISM
http://www.pure-spirit.com/more-animal-symbolism/509-whale-symbolism
"Whales are creatures that were honored and worshiped by some peoples, like the South American Nasca and the Native American peoples of the Pacific Coast. Others relentlessly hunted the whales, some nearly to extinction. Inupiaq legend from the Arctic region recounts how the Great Spirit created the most perfect animal, the bow whale. In their culture, the whale was treated with great respect and hunters had to go through initiation rites just to be able to hunt them. In these rites, the hunter had to touch the whale all over and assimilate its spirit, medicine, and pain. Europeans also had great respect for whales, because they considered them to be symbols of the world, the body, and the grave. Whales were symbolic of the ocean, a foreign environment that was vital, and what’s more, fatal to men.
Whales seen swimming are a sign of good luck for many peoples, while a beached whale meant ill tidings for the entire community, even disease, since a decaying corpse could spread sickness.
Whales are associated with compassion and solitude, and knowledge of both life and death. They are also associated with unbridled creativity. The exhalation through the blowhole symbolizes the freeing of one’s own creative energies. Sound is also a creative force of life. Whales use sonar and echo-location, linking them to the tutelage of direction and response to feedback. Though whales are symbolic of free use of creativity, they are also teachers of how to use creative energies more conservatively."
WHAT THE SYMBOLISM MEANS TO ME
- I feel like I am finding my voice in my present solitude. I am moving away from everyone else's teachings and expectations and piecing together who I am.
WHAT THE MUDRA IS ABOUT ACCORDING TO JOSEPH LE PAGE
CORE QUALITY
Inner Listening
ESPECIALLY HELPFUL FOR
• Receiving inner guidance and expressing it clearly in the world.
• Releasing tension from the shoulders, throat and neck.
• Aligning the cervical spine.
• Supporting the health of the thyroid.
• Enhancing speaking and singing.
Angushtha is the "thumb," and Angushtha mudra joins the tips of the thumbs together to direct breath, awareness and energy into the uppermost parts of the chest, collarbones, throat and neck. The enhanced breathing and awareness in these areas helps release tension from the shoulders, throat and neck. As tension is released, this gesture supports correct alignment of the cervical spine, alleviating one of the possible causes of neck pain. Angushtha mudra activates the uppermost current of Udana vayu, nourishing the nervous and endocrine systems, as well as the senses. As this gesture enhances the flow of breath and energy to the neck, circulation is increased to the area of the thyroid gland, supporting balanced metabolism.
Angushtha mudra activates the space element, Akasha, whose qualities include expansion, limitlessness and an opening to the subtle energies of our being. Opening to our subtle dimension supports us in cultivating the qualities of non-attachment, spiritual purification and clear communication. As this gesture releases tension from the throat and neck, energetic blockages are released, allowing Vishuddha chakra, our center of spiritual purification, to open naturally. This opening enhances our power of inner listening, allowing us to receive the messages that guide our life journey. Angushtha mudra also supports the awakening of our inner voice,"
Although for Joseph Le Page this mudra is for the 5th Chakra for me it is more for the 6th chakra. I did feel connected to many things this mudra is supposed to do like Inner Listening, Flow of Breath, the Space element, and opening of subtle energies. The gasoline that the guy used to clean the pictures from the lineage feels very much like it could link to spiritual purification. And the releasing of smoke from the whale to energetic blockages being released.
The fact that the whale is in the sky and blowing smoke not water is very much connection to the space element. Akasha is sometimes translated as sky.
"Ākāśa (आकाश, “ether”):—One of the five gross elements assigned as a zone (or sphere) to the human body (bhūtamaṇḍala), according the Yogatattva-upaniṣad. The element ether is seated between the eyebrows and the crown of the head. Ether is represented by a circle (vṛtta), a smoky or grey colour (dhūmra) and the syllable ha (ह). The deity presiding over this region is Sadāśiva."https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ākāśa
LAST TIME I DID THIS MEDITATION BUT WITH THUMBS TOUCHING NOT INTERLACED
I saw:
They Jersey Shore
Old Italian Man who used to sit on Newport Avenue and tell me stories about the diving show
I have tears in my eyes
My grandmother's gray hair
The boardwalk
Him in the bathroom
Stain on the sheets
Camels
Southern Tip of Africa
Tall tall sails
Long Beach-Naples Canals at Christmas
Spaghetti
Daki Miao's hair
Walking streets of Paris with Benedikt
Lying on the bed sick in Greece
So many lies
Insight LA on Sunday morning
My brother
My brother playing monopoly and throwing up the board
I can only say this time was very different much more abstract.
Variation Tarjani Mudra - Fingers Interlaced
I worked in meditation with the index finger interlaced with resistance in this variation of a Tarjani mudra. This picture shows the index fingers pointing at each other so just imagine them interlaced. I will try to put up a picture later.
MY THOUGHTS DURING MEDITATION
- Most comfortable with it positioned between the heart and the sternum with shoulders winging in.
- I see a Monarch butterfly making all kinds of spiraling movements
- It's hard for me to get comfortable using this mudra
- A brown bear with a fish in it's mouth. The fish is a silver and the bear is on a stony landscape next to water.
- A ballet dancer spinning on her toes in a studio that looks like a Degas painting
- A brown bear again - grizzly bear - walking and walking with the fish in it's mouth
This is what the Mudra is supposed to be about according to the book Mudras for Transformation and Healing:
"Tarjani is the "index finger," and Tarjani mudra brings the tips of the index fingers together to direct breath, awareness and energy to the chest, heart and lungs, instilling a sense of expansion and openness. This gesture expands the rib cage on all four sides, optimizing breath capacity and releasing muscular tension from the thoracic area. The opening of the chest facilitated by this gesture supports the optimal functioning of the cardio-respiratory system. This mudra also creates a massaging effect in the area of the thymus gland, supporting the health of the immune system. Tarjani mudra activates the air element, Vayu, cultivating the qualities of lightness, gracefulness, ease and sensitivity.
This gesture also activates the upward moving current of Prana vayu, instilling a sense of enthusiasm and uplifting energy. Tarjani mudra supports the awakening of Anahata chakra, releasing energetic blockages from the chest, side ribs and upper back. This release enhances our ability to welcome feelings more easily, creating an open space in which our heart's essential qualities unfold naturally. These qualities include self-acceptance, gratitude, compassion and communion with all beings. As these qualities unfold, they naturally lead to the awakening of unconditional love, which unites all of them into a harmonious symphony."
CORE QUALITY
Opening the Heart
ESPECIALLY HELPFUL FOR
• Opening the subtle heart.
• Releasing constriction from the chest.
• Expanding breath capacity.
• Enhancing enthusiasm, which may be helpful for depression."
HOW DOES THIS INFORMATION RELATE TO WHAT I FELT
Air element seems like it relates to the monarch butterfly swirling, the dancer spinning and the grizzly bear walking. The swirling and the spinning seem like a kind of freedom or release.
This is where the Thymus Gland is on a human it seems close to wear the fish was hanging on the bear. As if the fish was pointing to the Thymus Gland.
I am not sure why the bear is walking with the fish? Where is the bear going? Here is an answer from
http://animal-symbols.com/bear-symbol.html
"The bear is a symbol for strength, courage and tenacity. . . . Being a unique animal and off wide rage, bear symbol is extremely popular in legends of many cultures around the world including those of Asian myths, North American and European. The animal is an omnivorous creature like human beings because it eats roots, nuts, honey, berries, bird’s eggs and grasses. The bear hunts for fish and both small and large game. The bear occupies the same ecological niche with man and competed for shelter in caves making the bear similar with the early man. The similarity also comes because the bears tend to stand on their hind legs like man when aggressive or when threatened.
The early man started identifying with the bear for several reasons because from the early times when men were hunters and gatherers, they respected and feared the bear and at times even worshiped it because despite being a predator, it had power, strength and was furious. In many indigenous stories, the animal was seen as a transformed human that was a close intimate of humans. The Shamans and animist believe that bear is a powerful totem or spirit and when seen in people’s dreams, the animals are seen to be the guides from the spirits. People tend to emulate the virtue of the female bear because it is admirable seeing her protect her cub and their claws and teeth are used as amulets, decorations and talismans so as to stir up the powers of the bear. Bear symbols and tattoos also tend to serve similar functions.
In addition to this, bear is a symbol of wisdom for the Lakota Sioux, spirit keeper for the Chippewa and introspection and strength. The bear has been associated with ferocity, diplomacy and healing powers. The Haida associate bear to an elder kinsman and when killed it is believed to be a high ranking guest. Many believe that as a wise creature, it gains wisdom through its winter incubation and it bears a symbol of maternal protection. It is still seen as a great warrior and the male is associated with King Arthur, it symbolizes great power under control, with claws significantly displayed on crests or on shields."
Reading this may mean to me I have taken a lot of time off of work to do all this yoga training and now I am ready to come out of the cave an eat. I also want to share my knowledge. Maybe that's why the bear is walking with the fish. S/he is taking it to someone.
MONARCH BUTTERFLY SYMBOLISM
http://www.wildspeak.com/animalenergies/monarchbutterfly.html
"Keywords: Life is short. Fleeting moments. Transformation. Internal and external change. Personal change. Looking for sweetness. Herb magic. Flower magic. Celebrating beauty. Travel and migration. Moving to new places. Enjoying the journey. Outside of harmful or negative influence. Rhythm. Reincarnation.
General Description: . . . It is a toxic insect, notable for its bright orange, black and white colouration. . . . The monarch butterfly experiences metamorphosis, giving birth to eggs which then hatch to reveal caterpillars, which grow and weave a silk chrysalis which - over time - opens to reveal the mature butterfly. Monarchs are strong fliers and will often cluster in colder seasons in the thousands on a single branch. In Australia they are not considered a pest, though they are feral.
Lessons and Challenges: The monarch butterfly teaches us that life is short, and that it must be valued. Assuming that we have decades of our lives left (or at the very least, years) is all well and good for things like economic planning, but it is through recognising the fleetingness of human existence that we come to value every day, even those which get us down or which are hard to appreciate.
Monarch butterfly asks you to consciously look at what you have gained that is valuable in each day, and even to write the things that you are grateful for down. If you are in a position where you can think of nothing to be grateful for, monarch butterfly is a guide willing to open your eyes to the beauty and gift of life once more. It is through this that monarch butterfly teaches us how to look for sweetness and light in our lives.
Have you ever had one of those moments that felt perfect? Where, despite what was going on in your life, everything seemed to come together in one fleeting moment of contentment, happiness and perfection? Monarch butterfly teaches us that all of life is made up of striving for and increasing the number of these moments that we experience, and shows us how to better value and focus on these fleeting moments. Do you remember the last time you had one? Where you were when it happened? If you can't remember one, it might be time to seek one out again through looking for enjoyable experiences.
It is time to enjoy the journey and put aside the destination. It's not about where you will be 'tomorrow' or in a year's time, it is about valuing where you are now, even if you haven't reached your destination yet. Remember that there is as much wisdom and joy to gain on the way to an imagined or real destination, as there is at the destination itself.
. . . Monarch butterfly indicates themes of travel and migration, even as much as moving to new places. In Australia, short-term travel is indicated, such as journeys to new places, or even taking new commutes to work or back to your home. In other parts of the world the presence of monarch butterfly asks you to genuinely consider whether you are living in the best place right now, or alternatively, if it's worth a change of scenery to get you back in touch with nature and the rhythms of the earth.
. . . Themes of reincarnation may be present. The monarch butterfly introduces us to concepts of reincarnation and, if we are believers, asks us to invest some more time into thinking about our beliefs regarding rebirth and spiritual transformation across lifetimes.
. . . All butterflies (and moths) teach the power of transformation, and their presence in your life can be extremely empowering. They teach people how to proactively seize their own individual opportunities for growth and metamorphosis. At this time, you have great opportunity for phenomenal internal and external changes and transformations. Monarch butterfly particularly signals a time for personal change and internal change, emphasising changes of perspective and how we perceive our place in the world and our contentment within it.
The Shadow Aspects: Those who dislike or even fear monarch butterfly may find that they are unable to appreciate the simple things in life. They may feel that life passes them by too quickly, or they may be too cynical or unfocused to truly appreciate the small joys that find us everyday - no matter what is happening around us or to us. Monarch butterfly comes into your life to challenge you to take the time to find joy and thankfulness in your life, no matter if your health is shot, or you're so busy you rarely feel you have time to do anything at all. Make the time, or find small moments to do nothing and appreciate simply existing. Life is short, value it.
Monarch butterfly challenges you to accept that journeys are necessary in your life. These might be literal or spiritual journeys, but they are needful. It is important that you find enjoyment in your day to day, and lifelong journeys. The fact is, life will always throw difficulty at us, but monarch butterfly tells us to take a step back from that and enjoy life. We are protected from harmful influence if we choose to accept monarch butterfly's energy. Accept travel, migration, journeying and change, they are beautiful parts of your life.
Communion:
Like all animal helpers, this animal will only appear when right and appropriate, and cannot be forced to visit you, commune with you, or share messages with you. Butterflies, due to their very nature, tend to have quite fleeting energy and are more common as short-term guides. That said, their presence in the short-term remains profound and presents a potential for transformation, joy and growth.
Butterfly is a gentle teacher, and will try to transmit significant lessons simply through its quiet, unassuming presence in gardens, or even if you simply happen to see one while walking somewhere or going about your business. Butterfly is not highly communicative, letting its lifestyle and way of life speak for itself. Offerings of flowers, bundles of herbs and colourful ornaments are appreciated by butterfly, but the best way to honour Monarch butterfly, I feel, is to find and seek out more joyful, perfect moments within your life."
I think I will interpret the monarch butterfly spiraling as me spiraling and sometimes regretting or question my decision to become a Yoga Therapist. Right now I am planning to go back to work instead of going to Kripalu and finish my training. I feel burned out and disappointed. I don't know how yet to make this Yoga Therapy thing work. I have transformed yet I cannot find my place and am ready to take a break and regroup before trying again.
WHAT DID I SEE LAST TIME I USED THIS MUDRA?
Gentle raindrops
The heart beat
The color green
Green grass
Sun and wind
Easter Eggs, bunnies
Feel the earth like an egg
See the cross and the fish
A salty wind at the ocean
A black muscle with a beard
Footprints in the sand
deer, antelope and gazelle
Plains of Africa
A locket
Pushkar in India
The tube that was mailed to me with the art work inside
Figure drawing
Him
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THIS TIME AND LAST TIME
I think the similarities between fingers touching and fingers interlocked is the fish. Last time it was the Easter fish and this time it is a fish in the jaws of a bear.
http://dreammoods.com/cgibin/dreamdictionarysearch.pl?method=exact&header=dreamsymbol&search=fish
"To see a dead fish signifies disappointment and loss of power/wealth."
This makes sense to me because I feel disappointed I can't make a living in yoga. I also feel disappointed that IYT was bought by Kripalu and I have to do all the rest of the training there. I was also disappointed in my trip to India. I am disappointed to myself that I was a little foolish about the Yoga Therapy.
MY THOUGHTS DURING MEDITATION
- Most comfortable with it positioned between the heart and the sternum with shoulders winging in.
- I see a Monarch butterfly making all kinds of spiraling movements
- It's hard for me to get comfortable using this mudra
- A brown bear with a fish in it's mouth. The fish is a silver and the bear is on a stony landscape next to water.
- A ballet dancer spinning on her toes in a studio that looks like a Degas painting
- A brown bear again - grizzly bear - walking and walking with the fish in it's mouth
This is what the Mudra is supposed to be about according to the book Mudras for Transformation and Healing:
"Tarjani is the "index finger," and Tarjani mudra brings the tips of the index fingers together to direct breath, awareness and energy to the chest, heart and lungs, instilling a sense of expansion and openness. This gesture expands the rib cage on all four sides, optimizing breath capacity and releasing muscular tension from the thoracic area. The opening of the chest facilitated by this gesture supports the optimal functioning of the cardio-respiratory system. This mudra also creates a massaging effect in the area of the thymus gland, supporting the health of the immune system. Tarjani mudra activates the air element, Vayu, cultivating the qualities of lightness, gracefulness, ease and sensitivity.
This gesture also activates the upward moving current of Prana vayu, instilling a sense of enthusiasm and uplifting energy. Tarjani mudra supports the awakening of Anahata chakra, releasing energetic blockages from the chest, side ribs and upper back. This release enhances our ability to welcome feelings more easily, creating an open space in which our heart's essential qualities unfold naturally. These qualities include self-acceptance, gratitude, compassion and communion with all beings. As these qualities unfold, they naturally lead to the awakening of unconditional love, which unites all of them into a harmonious symphony."
CORE QUALITY
Opening the Heart
ESPECIALLY HELPFUL FOR
• Opening the subtle heart.
• Releasing constriction from the chest.
• Expanding breath capacity.
• Enhancing enthusiasm, which may be helpful for depression."
HOW DOES THIS INFORMATION RELATE TO WHAT I FELT
Air element seems like it relates to the monarch butterfly swirling, the dancer spinning and the grizzly bear walking. The swirling and the spinning seem like a kind of freedom or release.
This is where the Thymus Gland is on a human it seems close to wear the fish was hanging on the bear. As if the fish was pointing to the Thymus Gland.
I am not sure why the bear is walking with the fish? Where is the bear going? Here is an answer from
http://animal-symbols.com/bear-symbol.html
"The bear is a symbol for strength, courage and tenacity. . . . Being a unique animal and off wide rage, bear symbol is extremely popular in legends of many cultures around the world including those of Asian myths, North American and European. The animal is an omnivorous creature like human beings because it eats roots, nuts, honey, berries, bird’s eggs and grasses. The bear hunts for fish and both small and large game. The bear occupies the same ecological niche with man and competed for shelter in caves making the bear similar with the early man. The similarity also comes because the bears tend to stand on their hind legs like man when aggressive or when threatened.
The early man started identifying with the bear for several reasons because from the early times when men were hunters and gatherers, they respected and feared the bear and at times even worshiped it because despite being a predator, it had power, strength and was furious. In many indigenous stories, the animal was seen as a transformed human that was a close intimate of humans. The Shamans and animist believe that bear is a powerful totem or spirit and when seen in people’s dreams, the animals are seen to be the guides from the spirits. People tend to emulate the virtue of the female bear because it is admirable seeing her protect her cub and their claws and teeth are used as amulets, decorations and talismans so as to stir up the powers of the bear. Bear symbols and tattoos also tend to serve similar functions.
In addition to this, bear is a symbol of wisdom for the Lakota Sioux, spirit keeper for the Chippewa and introspection and strength. The bear has been associated with ferocity, diplomacy and healing powers. The Haida associate bear to an elder kinsman and when killed it is believed to be a high ranking guest. Many believe that as a wise creature, it gains wisdom through its winter incubation and it bears a symbol of maternal protection. It is still seen as a great warrior and the male is associated with King Arthur, it symbolizes great power under control, with claws significantly displayed on crests or on shields."
Reading this may mean to me I have taken a lot of time off of work to do all this yoga training and now I am ready to come out of the cave an eat. I also want to share my knowledge. Maybe that's why the bear is walking with the fish. S/he is taking it to someone.
MONARCH BUTTERFLY SYMBOLISM
http://www.wildspeak.com/animalenergies/monarchbutterfly.html
"Keywords: Life is short. Fleeting moments. Transformation. Internal and external change. Personal change. Looking for sweetness. Herb magic. Flower magic. Celebrating beauty. Travel and migration. Moving to new places. Enjoying the journey. Outside of harmful or negative influence. Rhythm. Reincarnation.
General Description: . . . It is a toxic insect, notable for its bright orange, black and white colouration. . . . The monarch butterfly experiences metamorphosis, giving birth to eggs which then hatch to reveal caterpillars, which grow and weave a silk chrysalis which - over time - opens to reveal the mature butterfly. Monarchs are strong fliers and will often cluster in colder seasons in the thousands on a single branch. In Australia they are not considered a pest, though they are feral.
Lessons and Challenges: The monarch butterfly teaches us that life is short, and that it must be valued. Assuming that we have decades of our lives left (or at the very least, years) is all well and good for things like economic planning, but it is through recognising the fleetingness of human existence that we come to value every day, even those which get us down or which are hard to appreciate.
Monarch butterfly asks you to consciously look at what you have gained that is valuable in each day, and even to write the things that you are grateful for down. If you are in a position where you can think of nothing to be grateful for, monarch butterfly is a guide willing to open your eyes to the beauty and gift of life once more. It is through this that monarch butterfly teaches us how to look for sweetness and light in our lives.
Have you ever had one of those moments that felt perfect? Where, despite what was going on in your life, everything seemed to come together in one fleeting moment of contentment, happiness and perfection? Monarch butterfly teaches us that all of life is made up of striving for and increasing the number of these moments that we experience, and shows us how to better value and focus on these fleeting moments. Do you remember the last time you had one? Where you were when it happened? If you can't remember one, it might be time to seek one out again through looking for enjoyable experiences.
It is time to enjoy the journey and put aside the destination. It's not about where you will be 'tomorrow' or in a year's time, it is about valuing where you are now, even if you haven't reached your destination yet. Remember that there is as much wisdom and joy to gain on the way to an imagined or real destination, as there is at the destination itself.
. . . Monarch butterfly indicates themes of travel and migration, even as much as moving to new places. In Australia, short-term travel is indicated, such as journeys to new places, or even taking new commutes to work or back to your home. In other parts of the world the presence of monarch butterfly asks you to genuinely consider whether you are living in the best place right now, or alternatively, if it's worth a change of scenery to get you back in touch with nature and the rhythms of the earth.
. . . Themes of reincarnation may be present. The monarch butterfly introduces us to concepts of reincarnation and, if we are believers, asks us to invest some more time into thinking about our beliefs regarding rebirth and spiritual transformation across lifetimes.
. . . All butterflies (and moths) teach the power of transformation, and their presence in your life can be extremely empowering. They teach people how to proactively seize their own individual opportunities for growth and metamorphosis. At this time, you have great opportunity for phenomenal internal and external changes and transformations. Monarch butterfly particularly signals a time for personal change and internal change, emphasising changes of perspective and how we perceive our place in the world and our contentment within it.
The Shadow Aspects: Those who dislike or even fear monarch butterfly may find that they are unable to appreciate the simple things in life. They may feel that life passes them by too quickly, or they may be too cynical or unfocused to truly appreciate the small joys that find us everyday - no matter what is happening around us or to us. Monarch butterfly comes into your life to challenge you to take the time to find joy and thankfulness in your life, no matter if your health is shot, or you're so busy you rarely feel you have time to do anything at all. Make the time, or find small moments to do nothing and appreciate simply existing. Life is short, value it.
Monarch butterfly challenges you to accept that journeys are necessary in your life. These might be literal or spiritual journeys, but they are needful. It is important that you find enjoyment in your day to day, and lifelong journeys. The fact is, life will always throw difficulty at us, but monarch butterfly tells us to take a step back from that and enjoy life. We are protected from harmful influence if we choose to accept monarch butterfly's energy. Accept travel, migration, journeying and change, they are beautiful parts of your life.
Communion:
Like all animal helpers, this animal will only appear when right and appropriate, and cannot be forced to visit you, commune with you, or share messages with you. Butterflies, due to their very nature, tend to have quite fleeting energy and are more common as short-term guides. That said, their presence in the short-term remains profound and presents a potential for transformation, joy and growth.
Butterfly is a gentle teacher, and will try to transmit significant lessons simply through its quiet, unassuming presence in gardens, or even if you simply happen to see one while walking somewhere or going about your business. Butterfly is not highly communicative, letting its lifestyle and way of life speak for itself. Offerings of flowers, bundles of herbs and colourful ornaments are appreciated by butterfly, but the best way to honour Monarch butterfly, I feel, is to find and seek out more joyful, perfect moments within your life."
I think I will interpret the monarch butterfly spiraling as me spiraling and sometimes regretting or question my decision to become a Yoga Therapist. Right now I am planning to go back to work instead of going to Kripalu and finish my training. I feel burned out and disappointed. I don't know how yet to make this Yoga Therapy thing work. I have transformed yet I cannot find my place and am ready to take a break and regroup before trying again.
WHAT DID I SEE LAST TIME I USED THIS MUDRA?
Gentle raindrops
The heart beat
The color green
Green grass
Sun and wind
Easter Eggs, bunnies
Feel the earth like an egg
See the cross and the fish
A salty wind at the ocean
A black muscle with a beard
Footprints in the sand
deer, antelope and gazelle
Plains of Africa
A locket
Pushkar in India
The tube that was mailed to me with the art work inside
Figure drawing
Him
I think the similarities between fingers touching and fingers interlocked is the fish. Last time it was the Easter fish and this time it is a fish in the jaws of a bear.
http://dreammoods.com/cgibin/dreamdictionarysearch.pl?method=exact&header=dreamsymbol&search=fish
"To see a dead fish signifies disappointment and loss of power/wealth."
This makes sense to me because I feel disappointed I can't make a living in yoga. I also feel disappointed that IYT was bought by Kripalu and I have to do all the rest of the training there. I was also disappointed in my trip to India. I am disappointed to myself that I was a little foolish about the Yoga Therapy.
Monday, June 5, 2017
Madhyama Mudra - 3rd Fingers Interlaced
I worked with my 3rd finger interlaced with the hasta mudra. This is a variation of Madhyama Mudra. It is used is Life Force Yoga for activation of the 3rd Chakra.
When I did the 5 minute variation of Madhyama Mudra with the finger interlaced I saw:
A Polar Bear walking on ice with a blue blue sky.
Swan on a blue lake
Bright directional white sunlight.
All these images had blues playing against white. They were very beautiful and had a purity about them. Previously, when my fingers were pointing together in Madhyama Mudra my mediation had more stream of conscious thoughts. But I saw many of the same if not similar things. The finger interlaced seemed to have more of a specificity where when the fingers were pointing at each the visualizations were more general.
I saw snow when the fingers are interlaced which is similar to the ice I saw when the fingers touched each other. I saw birds with wings flapping with the fingers pointing at each other and a swan when the fingers were interlaced.
In contrast, when the fingers pointed to each other, I saw twilight but with fingers interlaced I saw bright white sunlight.When the fingers pointed each other I saw a cool desert with the fingers interlaced I saw more variations of water with ice and snow. I was more melancholy when the fingers were pointed at each other with thoughts of missed opportunities and disappointments. I was closed to samadhi when the fingers were interlaced.
When I did the 5 minute variation of Madhyama Mudra with the finger interlaced I saw:
A Polar Bear walking on ice with a blue blue sky.
Swan on a blue lake
Bright directional white sunlight.
All these images had blues playing against white. They were very beautiful and had a purity about them. Previously, when my fingers were pointing together in Madhyama Mudra my mediation had more stream of conscious thoughts. But I saw many of the same if not similar things. The finger interlaced seemed to have more of a specificity where when the fingers were pointing at each the visualizations were more general.
I saw snow when the fingers are interlaced which is similar to the ice I saw when the fingers touched each other. I saw birds with wings flapping with the fingers pointing at each other and a swan when the fingers were interlaced.
In contrast, when the fingers pointed to each other, I saw twilight but with fingers interlaced I saw bright white sunlight.When the fingers pointed each other I saw a cool desert with the fingers interlaced I saw more variations of water with ice and snow. I was more melancholy when the fingers were pointed at each other with thoughts of missed opportunities and disappointments. I was closed to samadhi when the fingers were interlaced.
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Kanishtha Interlocked Fingers
My next mudra exploration assignment is Kanishtha Mudra with interlocked fingers. I know this mudra the first mudra in Amy Weintraub's Life Force Yoga Chakra Clearing Meditation. So we I worked on it I didn't have a blank slate. I had some ideas that the mudra was for energizing the root chakra.
I worked with it for 5 minutes in seated meditation here were my stream of conscious thoughts
- Downward energy
- Grounding
- Planted
- Rooted
- Wheat
- Sunflowers
- Mid West
- Bugs
- Dirt
- Leaning Forward
- My arms don't feel comfortable
- Aware of my feeet
- I feel a strong 3 part breath
When I did the other variation of the mudra these were my thoughts
- The mudra naturally wanted to be at my solar plexus
-My left hand trembled a bit as my right hand remained strong
- The mudra wanted space between my body and my hands.
- My breath was focused in my belly and it was very deep.
- I felt like my pranamaya, vijnanamaya and anandamaya koshas were activated.
- I felt warm sunlight on the front of my body and a gentle rain (maybe that was the washing machine going)
- I felt the sun at my solar plexus and of the 5 elements fire was the most activated because I felt the sun.
- On an emotional level I was warm and happy.
- I felt like I was outside on an early summer day completely comfortable and relaxed with the sun on my face and inside of my body
- I felt at ease and connected between then outer sun and my inner sun.
What feels the same between these two experiences in yellow imagery and the sun. The first time I felt warmth, sunlight and fire. This time I saw wheat and sunflowers. So the mudra has a warming effect on me. But this time I felt more earth element properties like bugs and dirt and being planet. Last time I felt the mudra for at the solar plexus. I was much less verbal and more visceral with this version of the mudra.
I worked with it for 5 minutes in seated meditation here were my stream of conscious thoughts
- Downward energy
- Grounding
- Planted
- Rooted
- Wheat
- Sunflowers
- Mid West
- Bugs
- Dirt
- Leaning Forward
- My arms don't feel comfortable
- Aware of my feeet
- I feel a strong 3 part breath
When I did the other variation of the mudra these were my thoughts
- The mudra naturally wanted to be at my solar plexus
-My left hand trembled a bit as my right hand remained strong
- The mudra wanted space between my body and my hands.
- My breath was focused in my belly and it was very deep.
- I felt like my pranamaya, vijnanamaya and anandamaya koshas were activated.
- I felt warm sunlight on the front of my body and a gentle rain (maybe that was the washing machine going)
- I felt the sun at my solar plexus and of the 5 elements fire was the most activated because I felt the sun.
- On an emotional level I was warm and happy.
- I felt like I was outside on an early summer day completely comfortable and relaxed with the sun on my face and inside of my body
- I felt at ease and connected between then outer sun and my inner sun.
What feels the same between these two experiences in yellow imagery and the sun. The first time I felt warmth, sunlight and fire. This time I saw wheat and sunflowers. So the mudra has a warming effect on me. But this time I felt more earth element properties like bugs and dirt and being planet. Last time I felt the mudra for at the solar plexus. I was much less verbal and more visceral with this version of the mudra.
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