Trataka (Gazing of the flame)

Namaskaram

Today we look at the ancient practice of Trataka. This practice is very close to my heart because it has made me achieve a stable mind with clearer thoughts and the ability to make decisions without the influence of my bad past. It has made me a better person inside, so that I learn to love myself on the outside. We all have had bad times, bad arguments and created the hatred and unforgiving nature inside us. With this practice you will be able to let go of your bitter past, focus on what you really need in life, learn the purpose of your life and very importantly appreciate your present moment.


Trataka

Fixed gazing at one point. The most recommended is a tiny star, or point of light (Flame).

What do you need?
Source of fire (candle, oil lamp, or ghee lamp). Preferably Ghee Lamp. This is because, flame burning in ghee releases good ion that would make us relax. Also the flame from ghee is brighter and bigger for much easier focus.

How to prepare a Ghee Lamp

1. Cotton thread as the one shown below. Alternatively, you can take some cotton, tear a 1 inch width and 3 inch length and roll it into a cylinder. Roll the cylinder further to make it thinner to form a thread. The thread will appear to be slightly thicker.
2. Some Ghee. In the picture below, I am using the brand Orianne this time around because I cannot get hold of QBB brand. 
3. An earthen beaker that looks like the one below that can be obtained from any Indian stores. Alternatively, you can use the diya (golden lamp)

  

 You can also use a candle if you can't find any of the items below. Ghee lamps are used as a traditional practice and it will be more beneficial to us if we do it the real way.

You have your lamp prepared. The next thing to do is:-

1. Find a room/a quiet spot that is dark enough. Remember, there should not be any lights switched on.
2. Turn off the fan/or air conditioner. This is to ensure you have a steady flame that does not flicker.
3. Place the lamp on a coffee table and adjust the height to be the same level as your eye. You can use some books to elevate it if necessary. See image below.
4. Sit down in a comfortable position, maximum of about an arm length from the flame.
5. Now gaze at the flame. You should focus between the middle to the top part of the flame. Gaze and focus on the flame until your eyes tear/tired. 
6. Close your eyes and imagine the image of the flame that you saw. Remember now to control the image of the flame to stay in one position. Just focus on it in a relaxed manner.
7. Open your eyes and repeat the practice for at least 2 times.
8. As time goes, it is good to increase the time you gaze at the flame. Initially it will only be for 10 to 15 seconds, you need to practice till you get a minute of steady gaze without a blink of an eye.
9. You will have tears falling off from your eyes. Please remember that you should not touch your eyes after this practice, if you want to wipe your tears, just wipe them at your cheeks.

Best times to practice

Trataka is best practiced during the dark hours (very early in the morning i.e. Brahma Muhurtham or late at night, after 11 p.m.). The noise level is very low at the times and the surroundings becomes very still and quiet. According to books on Kundalini Tantra, our body and mind will also be at a very still and calm state at these period of time which will easily let us attain the success of trataka.

Note: There should not be any movement during this practice. This includes eye ball movement, or body movement. You need to be steady, relaxed and calm.

Image courtesy of onlineyogatherapy.blogspot.com    

You may experience the following:-

1. Bad dreams if you do it late at night before going to bed. This happens because this practice works to cleanse your subconscious mind. Throughout our lifetime, each and every one of us have kept some kind of troubled memories, fears, temptations, lust, anger, jealousy or any kind of negativity inside us without us realizing. These could events that have affected us deeply and kept inside our subconscious memory all this while. With this practice, these memories will be released from your subconscious. Take this as a cleansing of your subconscious memory from all the unwanted thoughts. All these negativities have contributed to some bad effects to us in our current life. Hence we need to keep our subconscious clean and free, so that our judgements and thoughts are always in the present time and are not influenced by our past or future. Solution: Move your practice to the early morning hours. 
2. Headaches. Solution: Reduce the time you gaze at the flame, or increase the distance from the flame, not too far. Best is to not gaze for very long for a start. Your eyes may need some time to get adjusted to the glare of the flame.

Benefits:

1. Power of concentration
2. Corrects eye weaknesses and certain defects such as nearsightedness.
3. Increases nervous stability
4. Removes insomnia
5. Relaxes the anxious mind
6. Bring the tempestuous mind to control and spiritually it awakens ajna chakra.
7. Helps to awaken ajna chakra, the chakra that controls the mind.

Wishing you Peace, Love, and Harmony
Om