Faculty 8: Meditation

"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive." ― Dalai Lama XIV

Mantra

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

Focus on happiness and freedom (f8)

Even though Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu may not appear in any of the existent Vedic branches it is widely known through the oral tradition. For centuries, Sages have revered this chant as an anthem for loving kindness, but more recently, the hugging saint, Amma, has made it her mission. As a living embrace for compassion and healing her extraordinary devotion is a driving force behind the vision: "may all beings be happy and free".

A lyrical sloka of 11 syllables, Loka Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu celebrates sovereignty and unity as sacred partners. The journey (inward) requires communion. To set the wheel in motion, each individual must "be the change" (they want to see in the world) but personal liberation is not enough alone. In the words of Mother Theresa, "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other." Recite, sing, chant, live - Loka Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu to become an Ambassador of Namaste.

Listen to Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu:

Faculty 8 MudraMudra

Finger Pads Mudra

Finger Pads Mudra (often called Hakini Mudra) is a very common gesture to recall information or concentrate on something important. Scientific studies indicate that joining the end points of the finger pads in the formation of an upward triangle promotes the cooperation between the right and left brain hemispheres. It is difficult to focus when our minds get scattered. When there is too much/or not enough information to process our hands become "fidgety" in direct proportion to our level of stimulation. Finger Pad mudra transforms these wayward vibrations into grounded energy channels for the mind + body dialogue.

In Practice:

Muse:

Meditate on peace and harmony. Become fascinated by grace. Collect examples of beauty and dedicate time each day to the pursuit of goodness.

  1. Begin with Western Prayer Mudra (F4), bow head to heart, recite Loka Samastah Sukhino Bavantu 108 times.
  2. Next, do Push/Pull Namaste (Toner 1) for 5 breaths. Exhale, Push hands as one. Inhale, Pull elbows apart (without releasing the unity of the hands).
  3. Make Finger Pads Mudra: Starting at the baby finger, flaring the elbows and keeping the finger stems at an angled slope -- seal together the right and left pads of each finger. Point baby, ring, middle and index fingers upward toward the sky and direct thumbs toward the heart.
  4. Set gaze upward and soften the jaw. Inhale and feel the elbows pull apart (without losing the integrity of the mudra), Exhale push finger pads together. (5 Breaths)
  5. Now, focus on the echo pulse between the inhale/exhale and the push/pull. Pause to observe for at least 1 minute.
  6. Return to Western Prayer Mudra, bow head to heart and share a personal prayer for peace in any words that feel most authentic.

Guided Meditation: