Shunya Mudra

शून्य मुद्रा

Also known as: Akasha Mudra

Therapeutic/AyurvedicSpace

Etymology

Shunya (शून्य) means 'zero', 'void', or 'emptiness' - relates to Akasha Mahabhuta

Finger Position

Middle finger folded to thumb base, thumb pressing over middle finger

Duration

15-30 minutes for ear issues

Difficulty

Beginner

Associated Chakras

Vishuddha(Throat)
Bija Mantra: OM (spacious awareness sound)
Tarjani(Air)Madhyama(Space)Anamika(Earth)Kanishthika(Water)Angutha(Fire)

Highlighted fingers indicate active contact points

MGN Notation

HAND(RIGHT)
  PALM(UP)
  WRIST(STRAIGHT)
  T: STRAIGHT, TOUCH(2.base)
  1: STRAIGHT
  2: BENT, TOUCH(T)
  3: STRAIGHT
  4: STRAIGHT
  FINGERS(TOGETHER)

Instructions

This mental spaciousness gesture activates cognitive clarity through space element regulation. Research on attention training shows that practices creating mental spaciousness can improve cognitive function and reduce mental overwhelm (Tang & Posner, 2009). Formation: Fold middle finger to touch thumb base, press thumb gently over middle finger. Keep other fingers extended naturally. CONTRAINDICATIONS: Those with severe depression or dissociative disorders should practice with professional gui...

Quick Start Checklist

  • 1[ ] Touch thumb to middle fingertip (Shunya)
  • 2[ ] Keep other fingers extended; rest hands comfortably
  • 3[ ] Breathe into spacious emptiness
  • 4[ ] Hold 10-15 minutes for mental spaciousness

Benefits

Physical

  • Highly effective for earaches
  • hearing problems
  • tinnitus. Helps with travel sickness and vertigo

Mental

  • Reduces dullness of mind
  • promotes feeling of spaciousness and inner silence

Spiritual

Traditional texts describe this as "cultivating inner space and silence through Akasha Mahabhuta" — their term for how pressing the middle finger to the thumb base activates the parasympathetic nervous system's calming functions. Ancient practitioners observed that this finger contact creates what they called "spacious awareness" — the mental clarity and inner stillness that naturally arise when t

Precautions

  • !Avoid strain
  • !practice without forcing

Clinical Applications

Guided Practice

Press your middle finger gently down to touch the base of your thumb, then press your thumb over the middle finger while keeping other fingers extended. This space element gesture creates mental clarity and calm. SAFETY: Those with severe depression or dissociation should practice with professional support. Avoid excessive finger pressure. Feel how this gentle finger contact naturally creates me

Symbolism

Traditional spiritual art depicts this gesture in countless images of enlightened beings, saints, and divine figures offering protection and blessings to devotees. Ancient practitioners believed this mudra activated what they called 'Bodhisattva consciousness' - the awakened compassion that naturall

Traditional Uses

Ayurvedic healingspace element balancing
Source: Ayurvedic texts