On following the 8 limbs of yoga, it merges us with the supreme-soul through ‘Samadhi’. But before you attain the samadhi, you must mastery over Dharna (Concentration).
In different classical text, there are a number of techniques described which helps in developing the sense of ‘Concentration (Dharna).’ Trataka is one such technique which concentrates the mind by stilling the movement of eyes.
What is TRATAKA
The term ‘Trataka’ or ‘Tratak’ has been taken from yogic language (Sanskrit) which means ‘To look’ or ‘To gaze’. The gaze in Tratak is focused at some pointed object which can absorb the eyes efficiently (In turn, focuses the mind).
Initially, the object can be a source of light (candle flame), a black dot on a white wall or an image of self on a mirror. With time, the practice of visualizing the after-image of an ‘external object’ gets intense.
The focus of an ‘external object’ can be shift internally on ‘mind screen’ easily. Hence, one can say, Tratak is a technique that lets us look mind (& so on, the soul) through eyes.
An intent and relaxed gazing of eyes on an object don’t let wander mind in Trataka. Thus, Trataka in hatha yoga is practiced as a frontal mind purification technique & is a part of shatkarmas.
In the language of spirituality, an opening of the third eye is considered a doorway to higher consciousness & enlightenment.
How do Trataka works
Our minds & eyes are inter-related to each other. As in our body, there are five sense organs- eyes, ears, nose, skin & tongue. From these, we can smell, sound, touch, sight or feel anything. Among them, all, visual (sight) is the most powerful.
In the case of touch & smell, we have to be near the objects so that we can touch or smell it. However, our eyes can observe the objects or the landscapes that are far away without contact that object.
In our body, the eyes contain more than 200 million working parts after the brain. The retina and the optic nerve of our eyes develop a direct outgrowth of our brain.
The retina & the brain have similar structures, though it says as the retina is a type of brain that grows in the eyes. It is said that our visions are directly connected to our minds. Our mental states can affect our eye movements.
Our brain can also be managed or affected by doing some eye practices. That’s the thing which helps people who has good intelligence to judge the mental state of other people through their eyes.
Trataka practice is not only the way to attain stillness of mind, but it’s very powerful & quicker in the feedback also. While practicing Trataka, we focused our attention at the objects or the candle flame through our eyes concentration. This helps us in releasing disorders related to the eyes & the brain.
Types of Trataka
There are 3 (three) types of Trataka. They are-
- Antar Trataka (Inner Trataka)
- Madhya Trataka (Middle Trataka)
- Bahya Trataka (Outer Trataka)
Antar Trataka (Inner Trataka)
Antar Trataka is the technique, performed through closed eyes. In this, we have to close our eyes and then focusing on any symbol or point. If we don’t have any symbol or point in mind then we can focus our attention on the middle of our forehead.
It is said that in the middle of the forehead, the third eye is present as Lord Shiva has. This 3rd eye is the type of key that helps in the awakening of ‘Ajna Chakra’. ‘Ajna Chakra’, present in the middle of the eyes. Antar Trataka is also known as ‘Dristi Yoga’, ‘Drishti Yoga’, ‘Shambhavi Mudra’, and ‘Bhrukuti-Drishti’.
While practicing Antar Trataka, it may feel some pain or heat in our mind in the beginning. But we don’t have to worry about it, as it will normalize gradually. Keep trying to focus on that point.
Benefits:
- Practicing of Antar Trataka can help us to hypnotize any person who is very far from us.
- It helps us in constructing our confident, intelligence & patience.
- It also gives us peace by taking away negative thoughts and desires from our minds.
Madhya Trataka (Middle Trataka)
Madhya Trataka is the technique, performed through open eyes. In this, we have to focus our attention on near objects of any material.
We can also practice Madhya Trataka with the candle flame, concentric circles having dots in its middle, black dot in the white wall or vice-versa. We should close our eyes if we feel burning sensation in our eyes & then can start this process (Kriya) again.
Keep the object at a distance of 20 to 25 inches at eye level so that there is no pressure or rinsing on our neck. This Trataka should be performed in a dark room that is free from insects and the flow of air.
Benefits:
- Practicing of Madhya Trataka helps us to improve our concentration, memory & mental power.
- We can get the powers of hypnotic, precaution & spiritual.
- It also increases our ability to read other’s minds & our working efficiency.
Bahya Trataka (Outer Trataka)
Bahya Trataka is the technique, which can be performed at any time of the day or night. In this, we have to focus our eyes and attention on any distant object like the sun, the moon & the stars.
The people who are having their eyesight week cannot practice Bahya Trataka. As it may cause them mental disorders.
Benefits:
- Practicing of Bahya Trataka helps in getting free of mental disorders.
- It also improves our foresight & motivational power.
How to do Trataka
Trataka can be practiced in various ways by focusing our attention on a dot on a leaf, candle flame, darkness, blue sky, photograph, crystal, flower & needle. Trataka on the candle flame is the most effective & popular Trataka.
How to do Trataka on the Candle Flame:
- Put the burning candle on the Trataka stand or any other stand, adjust that stand at a distance so that the flame should be at the eye level. Flame on the height can create pressure or pain on our neck.
- The flame should not be moving in a draft, it should be still.
- Sit in any meditation sitting posture such as- ‘Siddhasana, ‘Padmasana’, ‘Vajrasana’, and ‘Sukhasana’, in front of the flame.
- Open the eyes and start focusing our attention at the flame without blinking.
- If it feels the heat on our eyes, close the eyes for a while and then start again the process (Kriya).
- In the beginning, we should perform Trataka only for about 10 to 20 seconds, as the time will increase steadily.
- It may have difficulties in the beginning but we don’t have to worry, as it will normalize gradually.
- Practice it again & again.
- Focusing our attention at the flame, until we’ll not get tears or water from our eyes.
- After practicing Trataka, we may blink a few times to relieve anxiety. But just be calm.
- We can repeat this process (Kriya), according to our interests.
Or we can practice the same process with the other objects that are mentioned above.
Benefits of Trataka:
Strengthens our eye muscles: As the blinking of an eye is in our control while we focus our attention at the small objects of any material. It helps us in strengthening our eye muscles.
Purifies our eyes: As we exercise it to focus upon a point which helps in improving the internal functions of an eye. This helps in purifying our eyes.
Treats our eye disorders: When we gaze at an object such as the candle flame or any other small object. This improves our eye concentration that helps in treating eye disorders.
Relieves insomnia: As practicing Trataka gives us peace by taking away negative thoughts & desires from our minds. This helps us in relieving insomnia.
Aids in treating depression: As Trataka is also a mind purifying technique, this technique purifies the mind by decreasing negative desires or thoughts. This helps in treating depression.
Improves our concentrations: When we practice gazing at any small objects regularly, it increases our consciousness. This improves our concentration power.
Calms our anxious mind: As Trataka practice helps us in disconnecting with the noise & distraction from the external world. This is really deep relaxing or calming your anxious mind.
Promotes our emotional stability: Concentrating on a single object by practicing Trataka, can promote our emotional stability.
Boosts our willpower: When we’ll have the spiritual & mental powers by practicing Trataka. Then we can also boost our willpower.
Develops intuition & clairvoyance: As we practice Trataka regularly & consistently is said, it’s a key of awakening ‘Ajna Chakra’. ‘Ajna Chakra’ is also known as the ‘third eye’. This helps in developing intuition & psychic power.
Improves our vision & memory: It is said that 50% of our minds keep engaging on ‘what we see’. Trataka is totally based on vision as it is practiced by visualizing the small objects of any material.
Improves our consciousness power: When we keep concentrating on gazing an object & to optimize it. It improves our consciousness power.
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