Balancing Masculine and Feminine Energy During Meditation

Have you ever wondered how to balance your masculine and feminine energy during meditation? Do you notice that energy builds up more on one side of your body? Or maybe you feel your body leaning, as if it wants to tip over—perhaps to the left, right, forward, or backward? Does one side of your body feel heavier than the other?

During several Vipassana retreats, I experienced my torso being pulled to the left, my body wanting to lie sideways, and an accumulation of energy on the left side of my head. Curious about this, I asked multiple teachers for their insights. One said it was simply fatigue. Another advised me to “note” the energy but not let it take control. A third suggested that my body was just unaccustomed to long periods of sitting.

These retreats followed the teachings of Theravada Buddhism. One of the first things we’re taught is how to position our hands: the back of your left hand rests in your lap, and your right hand is placed on top, with your thumbs lightly touching.

During a recent retreat, I asked why the right hand is placed on top and not the left. The teachers explained that this is how the Buddha sat, so we follow his example.

This response sparked a deeper curiosity in me. Why did I feel more energy accumulating on my left side? Why should I follow this hand position?

My first Vipassana retreat took place in 2016, but my meditation journey began in 2007 after reading The Tibetan Book of the Dead. That book opened my interest in Buddhism, and I began exploring different meditation styles. I tried Zazen, and eventually, I discovered Kundalini meditation, which offered me a deeper understanding.

In Kundalini meditation, men are taught to cover their left hand with their right, while women do the opposite. This reflects the belief that we all carry both masculine and feminine energy—feminine on the left, masculine on the right. Men protect their feminine energy, and women protect their masculine energy.

With this new insight, I adjusted my meditation posture. Instead of following the Vipassana hand position, I placed my right hand (masculine energy) in my lap, with my left hand (feminine energy) resting on top. Immediately, I noticed a shift. The energy that used to pull strongly to the left side of my head became more centered, balanced at the level of my third eye. But when I returned to the traditional Vipassana hand position, the energy shifted back to the left.

This realization was profound—I hadn’t known that simply changing the position of my hands could balance my masculine and feminine energies.

So, how do you position your hands when you meditate? Do you follow the Buddhist hand posture with the right hand on top of the left?

I invite you to experiment. Sit in your usual meditation position—whether cross-legged, on a chair, or on your knees. Place your hands as you normally do, then close your eyes and bring your awareness to your forehead. What do you feel? Is the energy building up more on one side? Or is it centered?

Now, try switching the position of your hands. Place your dominant hand in your lap, palm facing upward, and place your other hand on top, thumbs lightly touching. Does this change where the energy accumulates?

Play with this and explore how you can balance your masculine and feminine energies. What worked for the Buddha may not be the right way for you (or maybe it is!). The only way to know is to experiment.

If anything is unclear or you need further guidance, feel free to reach out—I’m here to help.

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