Archive for April, 2010
Known by many names, the ‘earth touching’ pose of the Buddha is the Bhumisparsha mudra, translates from Sanskrit to mean ‘touching the earth.’ A mudra is a motion or gesture of the hands and body to express a thought. Mudras are an important part of Buddhist meditation rituals. Buddha statues are often depicted in the earth touching mudra which is also known as ‘the earth witness’ position.
The earth touching mudra is performed by extending the five fingers of the right hand and placing them on the ground with the palm facing inward toward the body. It’s believed that Buddha assumed the earth touching position after he achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree to call the goddess Shthavra to witness the event. For this reason, the pose is also known as ‘Summoning the Earth Goddess to Witness.’
Buddha statues in the earth touching mudra have the right arm resting on the right knee with the fingers of the hand extended downward. The statue shows the Buddha with his left hand resting in his lap with the palm skyward in the meditation mudra (dhyana mudra). The combination of mudras is intended to symbolize the union of wisdom and method, Nirvana and Samasra. Buddhist teachings tell the tale of how Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, assumed the earth touching pose to resist against the temptations and distractions of the demon Mara who sought to lure the Buddha from his spiritual life. In Buddhist folklore, Mara was viewed as everything from an all powerful demon to a gremlin-like nuisance. One story tells of how Mara summoned his daughter’s to seduce the Buddha and distract him from his spiritual journey. This has parallels to the mythology of other cultures, similar to Greek sirens.
The earth touching pose is associated with Akshobhya, one of the Five Great Buddhas. Akshobhya is a manifestation of strength, confidence and determination and the use of the Bhumisparsha mudra is a reflection of that. Akshobhya and Amithaba were the two Buddhas who represented wisdom and compassion respectively. The Buddhist theology evolved to include the Five Dhyani Buddhas who each represent an aspect of the Buddhist philosophy.
Akshobhya is the wise Buddha of the East, believed to possess a mirror-like wisdom that converts anger to wisdom. He is associated with the element water which also has reflective properties.
The simple beauty of this mudra is a welcome reminder that temptation can be confronted by strength.
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Nanette Geiger, Relationship Coach , writes… …
Clearing out those annoying limiting beliefs can seem like a grueling task for some. In fact, many do not even know what limiting beliefs they have. These ingrained patterns of thinking have been with us since we have been children, so do not think it’ll be easy to get rid of them, but it is very possible, and absolutely fulfilling and fun.
I was talking to one of my clients the other day whose desire was to create an increased flow of income in her business, and as a step in coming to clarity, I asked her, “What do you desire”? She answered: “I desire to create more money in my business”. I then posed: “Why do you want this”? She said: “Because I enjoy feeling independent, having a means to buy the things I want and need, and because I loathe asking my husband for money”. A Law of Attraction Coach can assist you right now to free yourself from old limiting thought patterns that inhibit your happiness.
When she stated what she desired, she effectively voiced what she desired and what she didn’t desire in the very same thought. That effectively sends conflicting energy to the Universe. You really can use the Law of Attraction with great success, and it’s fun too!
That is how many people go about thinking without truly noticing. She had no idea that was going on on the back-end of her thought processes. So my question to you is, what is going on in your background? What have you got your attention focused on? What you want or that which you don’t want? And just saying the pretty words doesn’t cut it either. If you truly desire more money, but are vibrating to the tune of lack, you can’t fool the Universe. The Universe speaks the language of energy, not English, French, or Hindi. Using the Law of Attraction is a hugely powerful tool for Relationship Attraction, and is simple to understand.