Glossary · A–Z

Terms starting with “M”

75 terms in the conscious-living glossary.

• Maestro/MaestraShamanism & Plant MedicineA master healer or shaman who has trained extensively with plant medicines.
• MaggaBuddhist TraditionsThe path—the eightfold path to the cessation of suffering.
• MahamudraMeditationThe Great Seal—resting in the nature of mind in Tibetan Buddhist practice.
• MahamudraMeditationThe "Great Seal"—direct recognition of mind's nature in Tibetan Buddhism.
• MahamudraBuddhismGreat Seal—meditation on the nature of mind.
• MahayanaBuddhist TraditionsThe "Great Vehicle"—Buddhist tradition emphasizing the bodhisattva path and universal liberation.
• MahayanaBuddhist TraditionsThe Great Vehicle—emphasizing the bodhisattva path for all beings.
• Mahayana BuddhismBuddhismGreat Vehicle emphasizing compassion and bodhisattva path.
• MaithunaTantra & Sacred SexualitySacred union—ritualized sexual practice in Hindu and Buddhist tantra.
• MaithunaTantraSacred sexual union as spiritual practice.
• Mala BeadsChanting & DevotionalA string of 108 beads used to count mantras during meditation and japa practice.
• MalachiteCrystals & MineralsA powerful transformation stone that absorbs negativity and promotes emotional healing.
• MalachiteCrystals & MineralsA powerful transformation stone—drawing out deep feelings and breaking patterns.
• MalachiteCrystals & MineralsGreen stone for transformation and emotional healing.
• MalasanaYoga Poses (Asanas)Garland pose—deep squat opening hips and grounding.
• MandalaBuddhismSacred geometric diagram representing the cosmos.
• Manipura (Solar Plexus)Subtle Body & AnatomyThe third chakra at the navel—governs personal power, will, and transformation.
• Manipura ChakraSubtle Body & AnatomySolar plexus chakra for personal power and will.
• Manomaya KoshaSubtle Body & AnatomyThe mental body or "mind sheath"—the layer of thoughts and emotions.
• Manomaya KoshaSubtle Body & AnatomyMental body sheath of thoughts and emotions.
• MantraChanting & DevotionalSacred words, sounds, or phrases repeated during meditation or chanting to focus the mind and invoke spiritual energy.
• MantraSanskrit & Sacred LanguageSacred word or phrase repeated for spiritual effect.
• Mantra MeditationMeditationUsing repeated sacred words or sounds to focus the mind and elevate consciousness.
• Mantra MeditationMeditationUsing sacred words or phrases as meditation focus.
• MapachoShamanism & Plant MedicineSacred tobacco used ceremonially in Amazonian traditions for protection and prayer.
• MarathonRace Types & Distances26.2-mile race — the classic endurance distance inspired by the legend of Pheidippides.
• Marichyasana AYoga Poses (Asanas)Sage Marichi pose—seated forward fold with one knee bent.
• Marichyasana CYoga Poses (Asanas)Sage twist—seated twist with bound arms around bent knee.
• Marjaryasana-Bitilasana (Cat-Cow)Yoga Poses (Asanas)A flowing movement between spinal flexion and extension—warming up the spine.
• Marma PointsAyurveda & WellnessVital energy points on the body used in Ayurvedic healing.
• Matrix EnergeticsEnergy Work & HealingTransformation system using consciousness and two-point technique.
• MatsyasanaYoga Poses (Asanas)Fish pose—supine backbend opening heart and throat.
• Matsyasana (Fish Pose)Yoga Poses (Asanas)A supine pose with chest lifted and head back—opening throat and chest.
• Max Heart RateSports ScienceThe fastest your heart can beat under maximum exertion. Commonly estimated as 220 minus your age.
• MayaYoga PhilosophyIllusion—the veil that obscures the true nature of reality and creates the appearance of separation.
• MayaYoga PhilosophyIllusion—the veil obscuring our perception of ultimate reality.
• MayurasanaYoga Poses (Asanas)Peacock pose—challenging arm balance on wrist pressure.
• Medicine SongChanting & DevotionalIndigenous healing songs carrying spiritual medicine and intention.
• Medicine WheelShamanismSacred circle representing cycles and directions.
• MeridiansTraditional Chinese MedicineEnergy pathways through which qi flows in the body—the basis for acupuncture.
• MeridiansTraditional Chinese MedicineEnergy pathways through which qi flows in the body.
• MesaShamanism & Plant MedicineA sacred altar used in Andean and Amazonian shamanism with power objects.
• MesaShamanismPeruvian shamanic altar containing power objects.
• MettaBuddhismLoving-kindness meditation cultivating universal love.
• Metta (Loving-Kindness)MeditationA meditation practice of cultivating unconditional love and goodwill toward oneself and all beings.
• Middle WorldShamanismSpirit aspect of ordinary physical reality.
• MindfulnessMeditationThe practice of maintaining present-moment awareness with acceptance and non-judgment.
• MokshaYoga PhilosophyLiberation or spiritual freedom—release from the cycle of birth and death (samsara).
• MokshaYoga PhilosophyLiberation—freedom from the cycle of birth and death.
• MoldaviteCrystals & MineralsA high-frequency meteorite glass for rapid spiritual transformation.
• MoldaviteCrystals & MineralsMeteoric glass for rapid spiritual transformation.
• MonochordSound HealingAncient string instrument with single pitch for meditation.
• Moon CeremonyRitual & CeremonyRitual aligned with lunar cycles for intention and release.
• Moon CircleRitual & CeremonyWomen's gathering aligned with lunar cycles for sharing, ritual, and connection.
• MoonstoneCrystals & MineralsA feminine stone connected to lunar cycles, intuition, and emotional balance.
• MoonstoneCrystals & MineralsA feminine stone connected to intuition, cycles, and emotional balance.
• MoonstoneCrystals & MineralsLuminous stone for intuition and feminine energy.
• Movement MedicineMovement & DanceA conscious dance practice incorporating shamanic elements and deep embodiment.
• Movement MedicineMovement & DanceDance practice for healing, creativity, and consciousness.
• MoxibustionTraditional Chinese MedicineBurning dried mugwort near acupuncture points to warm and stimulate qi flow.
• MoxibustionTraditional Chinese MedicineBurning mugwort on or near acupuncture points to warm and stimulate qi flow.
• MoxibustionTraditional Chinese MedicineBurning mugwort near acupoints to warm and stimulate.
• MuditaBuddhist TraditionsSympathetic joy—rejoicing in others' happiness and success without envy.
• MuditaBuddhist TraditionsSympathetic joy—rejoicing in the happiness and success of others.
• MuditaBuddhismSympathetic joy—happiness at others' success.
• MudraSanskrit & Sacred LanguageSacred hand gestures that direct energy flow and deepen meditation.
• MudraSanskrit & Sacred LanguageSymbolic hand gesture directing energy flow.
• Mukta Hasta SirsasanaYoga Poses (Asanas)Free hands headstand—advanced headstand without arm support.
• Mula BandhaSubtle Body & AnatomyRoot lock—engaging the pelvic floor to direct energy upward.
• Mula BandhaSubtle Body & AnatomyRoot lock—perineal contraction sealing energy.
• Muladhara (Root Chakra)Subtle Body & AnatomyThe first chakra at the base of the spine—governs survival, security, and grounding.
• Muladhara ChakraSubtle Body & AnatomyRoot chakra at the base of spine for grounding.
• MuraqabaMeditationSufi meditation—watchfulness and heart-centered presence with the Divine.
• MuraqabaMeditationSufi meditation practice of watchfulness and divine observation.
• Mysore StyleYoga StylesSelf-paced Ashtanga practice with teacher guidance.