ज्ञान मुद्रा
Also known as: Gyan Mudra, Chin Mudra (when palms face up)
Jñāna (ज्ञान) means 'knowledge' or 'wisdom'
The hands have a disproportionately large area of representation in the brain's sensory and motor cortices, a concept visualized by the cortical homunculus.
A mudra holds the fingers in a specific, sustained posture, creating a stable and precise pattern of neural input from the hand to the brain.
This focused neural circuit influences brainwave activity and helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, allowing you to consciously shift your psychological and energetic state towards a desired quality like calmness or focus.
Tip of index finger touches tip of thumb, other three fingers extended
5-45 minutes during meditation
Beginner
Highlighted fingers indicate active contact points
HAND(RIGHT) PALM(DOWN) WRIST(STRAIGHT) T: STRAIGHT, TOUCH(1.tip) 1: STRAIGHT, TOUCH(T.tip) 2: STRAIGHT 3: STRAIGHT 4: STRAIGHT FINGERS(TOGETHER)
This knowledge integration gesture enhances learning through specific finger positioning. Research on embodied cognition shows that particular hand positions can improve comprehension and retention by activating knowledge-processing neural networks (Goldin-Meadow, 2011). Formation: Touch thumb tip to index finger tip creating a circle while resting other three fingers naturally extended. Place both hands in this formation on knees palm-up. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Those with severe learning disabili...
Traditional texts describe this as "supporting focused awareness and mental clarity" — their terms for how this finger contact activates the parasympathetic nervous system's concentration functions. Practitioners often report that this hand position helps develop what ancient sources called "grounded wisdom" — a mentally clear, emotionally stable state that can support sustained attention and prac
Touch your index fingertip to your thumb tip, creating a small circle. Keep your other three fingers naturally extended. Rest hands on your knees with palms facing down to ground your wisdom in practical reality. Feel how this finger circle creates a sealed circuit of energy. Notice if there's a subtle tingling or warmth at the contact point. Observe how your mind naturally becomes more focused when you hold this connection. The circle represents the unity of individual consciousness with universal wisdom. Silently repeat SOHAM ("I am That") as you maintain this gesture. Practice for 5-20 minutes, feeling how grounded wisdom flows through your hands into practical action in the world.
Traditional Vedantic texts describe this as the mudra of knowledge - the index finger representing individual consciousness meeting the thumb representing universal consciousness. Ancient practitioners believed this finger contact created what they called a 'wisdom circuit' while the downward palms