Fear is the enemy of peace. You cannot be in a state of fear and peace at the same time; one has to make room for the other.
In our modern world, stress and fear seem to be the ruler of the day. We fear our financial security. We fear for the safety of our children as they leave for school every morning. We are afraid of violence, being alone, never having enough.
There are also the deeper fears within us. The fear of others, the fear of being defined by others, fearing connections or lack thereof and fearing life’s challenges.
We are always, competing, comparing and complaining.
Often times, we cannot control our external circumstances, and this breeds fear. But when you can turn that fear into acceptance and trust in the universe, you can change the way you react to these external circumstances. How do we do this? I’m glad you asked.
Today we will learn a mudra that helps us to combat fear as we come to terms with and transform the negative energy within us that causes us to fear in the first place. It is called the Abhaya Mudra.
Abhaya is a Sanskrit word that means fearlessness, which is the state we should ultimately hope to achieve through changing our relationship with, and reaction to, fear itself. Here are a few benefits of this mudra and a meditation practice to go along with it.
Benefits:
• Protection and courage
• Freedom from fear
• Willpower to face challenges
Practice:
• Stand or sit with your spine straight in an easy pose, lotus pose or in a chair with your back supported.
• Raise your right hand to chest level with palm facing forward.
• Place left hand on your left thigh, in your lap or over your heart.
• Another option is to practice using both palms up and facing forward.
• While inhaling, imagine courage, good will and confidence flowing through the top of your head.
• Imagine these things flowing through your body (in any way they are represented to you) and that you are filled with this energy.
• Fill your mind with images and thoughts of courage and self-control.
• While exhaling, visualize courage, good will, and confidence flowing out through your right hand, direct these towards the person, thing or circumstance you fear.
• During the meditation repeat the affirmation “there is no fear in love, perfect love casts out all fears.”
• Continue for as long as you need to.
• Practice frequently and watch fear transform.
Tips:
• Practice on an empty stomach.
• Hold the mudra for at least 5 minutes.
• Discontinue practice after you have achieved the desired result.
Be reminded, “The enemy is fear. We think it is hate; but, it is fear.” Gandhi
Photo Credit: "Abhaya Mudra - Big Buddha" by Thirsty in LA is licensed under CC BY 2.0
