Chin Mudra: It’s Practice, Power, and Philosophy

Introduction

Mudra means ‘seal’, ‘gesture’ or ‘mark’. Chit and Mudra wherein Chit is Consciousness; Mudra is a gesture. Therefore, ‘Chin Mudra’ means the ‘Consciousness Gesture’. Particular movements taught in yoga are called Yoga Mudras. They are often practised with the hands and fingers but can also be through with the feet. They ease the flow of energy through one’s body and amplifies its effectiveness through consistent practice.

The concept of using Mudras has always been vague and murky. Most people use them without knowing their true power and the level of energy they can provide. When one starts Chin Mudra pranayama taught by Swami Gitananda, It gets easier to understand and feel the tiny links created by those simple things and expressions, from each side of one’s body to the other.

Let’s say that effective and transformative use of mudras isn’t something that you simply can grasp the primary time, and you would possibly not feel considerably for a short time. It is normal and to be expected. With perseverance, soft practice, patience and open-mindedness, you would perhaps be ready to draw yourself inward through the course of the mudras.

Many mudras are developed over the centuries, but here you will be able to specialise in your favourite mudras that you regularly use during postures, pranayama or meditation.

What is Chin Mudra?

We all know how yoga can be dynamic, and each of its branches is utterly distinct from another yet holds full connectivity to it. Chin Mudra is a yogic gesture that reveals the psychic nature of a mind’s consciousness.

The index says about the limited perspective of self, whereas the thumb finger is all about self’s expanded view. When the two join, the self gets connected to the universal Self, connecting you to your inner self.

Chin Mudra is used in either seated meditation or pranayama such as ujjayi. The hands rest on the knees as they face the sky. It creates a settling effect on our mind and cleanses the body’s natural aura.

Chin mudra benefits

There are several benefits to Chin Mudra. It heals the mind from the negativity, and its effects can be seen in the body’s health.

It helps to cure insomnia while also elevating energy and stamina.
Chin Mudra improves concentration and memory power.
When a person practices it regularly, it can get rid of all psychological problems such as anger, depression, stress and anxiety.
It helps in improving our body’s sleep pattern.
It helps you to reflect and vibe with your inner self.
Furthermore, it puts your mind into a calm and relaxed state which ultimately results in an improved mood.

How to Do Chin Mudra?

Now that you know what it is and what are the benefits let’s see how it works. It is a simple process where you don’t really have to do much. All you have to do is follow the instructions precisely. Let’s get into it…

Procedure

Use both hands while practising this Mudra.
Seat yourself in a comfortable meditation position.
Touch your index finger to the tip of your thumb.
Straighten the other three fingers without straining them while keeping them apart from each other.
Now rest your hands on your knees as such that your palms face the sky.
Get into a relaxed state of mind and observe your inner self.

Observe yourself slowly shifting into a calm state of mind from a chaotic one. You will feel it in your body how every tensed organ, muscle, nerve, and vein switches to a more relieved state. When you feel this, it will be pretty evident, and you will know that the Mudra has worked for you.

Reason behind the Chin Mudra practice

Every finger features a deeper reference to the subtle layers of human existence with regard to Yoga Philosophy. The little finger is an expression of the human body and is connected with the human mind’s emotions. Doesn’t it add up to the ring wearing ceremony of soul mates?

The middle finger is the intellect’s expression, which is that of the bundle of reasoning and ego. The index expresses the consciousness inside the human system, while the thumb is an expression of supreme consciousness.

Now, Samadhi is the goal of the yogic journey, and it happens only if the individual consciousness reaches the supreme consciousnesses that lie beyond the body, emotions, and intellect.

Each meditation should make us conscious of our true self, and should bring inner happiness, resulting in the sunshine shining inside. The light that shines inside should get widened and be ready to shelter other souls. This is the goal of the Yogic journey, which begins with the only practice of Chin Mudra.

Conclusion

By performing mudras, we connect to our higher selves and get into a more receptive state of mind with a brightened mood.

As a famous brief on Mudra by Swami Satyananda Saraswati says, “The mind & body are not separate entities. The gross form of the mind is the body & the subtle form of the body is the mind. The practice of asana integrates & harmonises the two. Both the body & the mind harbours tensions or knots. Every mental knot has a corresponding physical, muscular knot & vice versa. The aim of asana is to release these knots. Asana release mental tensions by dealing with them on the physical level, acting somato-psychically, through the body to the mind.”

It is important to understand that all of this only works if you believe in the fact that there is indeed something higher than you and that not everything can be under your control at all times. When you cultivate such acceptance, it eases your way to spirituality and self-reflection.

You may also like to read:-

Mudras – The Spiritual Gestures And Their Auspiciousness In Yoga.
Gyan Mudra: Benefits, Meaning, Science & Practice.
A Mini Guide To Shambhavi Mudra Kriya.