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Trataka (
The eyes begin to water. Some authorities recommend that the eyes should then be closed and the
Trataka MeditationTrataka - Technique of Opening The Third EyeTrataka - Light in the Pineal Eye
A clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Trataka Yoga Kriya and eye exercises (non-pharmocological methods) in the management of Timira (Ammetropia and Presbyopia)
{{Yoga Buddhist meditation Kriyas Shatkarmas
Trataka (Sanskrit
Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...
n. त्राटक Trāṭak: "look, gaze") is a yogic purification (a shatkarma) and a tantric method of meditation
Meditation is a practice in which an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm ...
that involves staring at a single point such as a small object, black dot or candle flame. It is said to bring energy to the "third eye" ('' ājňā chakra'') and promote various psychic
A psychic is a person who claims to use extrasensory perception (ESP) to identify information hidden from the normal senses, particularly involving telepathy or clairvoyance, or who performs acts that are apparently inexplicable by natural laws ...
abilities.
Purpose
By fixing the gaze the restless mind too comes to a halt. Some modern people believe that the control of the ciliary (blink) reflex stimulates the pineal gland, which Kundalini Yoga identify with the third eye. Trāṭaka is said to enhance the ability to concentrate. It increases the power of memory and brings the mind to a state of awareness, attention and focus.Description
The practitioner may fix attention on a symbol oryantra
Yantra () (literally "machine, contraption") is a geometrical diagram, mainly from the Tantric traditions of the Indian religions. Yantras are used for the worship of deities in temples or at home; as an aid in meditation; used for the benefit ...
, such as the Om symbol, a black dot, the image of some deity or guru, a flame, a mirror or any point, and stare at it. A candle should be three to four feet (1 metre plus) away, the flame level with the eyes. Relax but keep the spine erect and remain wakeful and vigilant.Tratak article in ''Soul Curry'' magazineThe eyes begin to water. Some authorities recommend that the eyes should then be closed and the
yogi
A yogi is a practitioner of Yoga, including a sannyasin or practitioner of meditation in Indian religions.A. K. Banerjea (2014), ''Philosophy of Gorakhnath with Goraksha-Vacana-Sangraha'', Motilal Banarsidass, , pp. xxiii, 297-299, 331 Th ...
concentrate on the after image, while others persevere with staring for 30–40 minutes. The eyes of one who got siddhi in trataka will appear like burning charcoal in colour.
Notes
External links
Trataka Meditation
Further reading
* The Bihar School of Yoga, in India has published several books on meditation that give detailed instructions for practising trataka. ''Dharana Darshan'' by SwamiNiranjanananda Saraswati
Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati (born 14 February 1960) is the successor of Satyananda Saraswati, founder of Satyananda Yoga, who passed on the worldwide coordination of Satyananda Yoga to Niranjanananda in 1988.
He is Born Kayastha family in ...
has an entire chapter devoted to the practice.
A clinical study to evaluate the efficacy of Trataka Yoga Kriya and eye exercises (non-pharmocological methods) in the management of Timira (Ammetropia and Presbyopia)
{{Yoga Buddhist meditation Kriyas Shatkarmas