This Ancient Gazing Technique Definitely Helps

Hey, so, when I was collecting information about aromatherapy, Trataka was an interesting one. It’s actually not like other yogic techniques. Among six cleansing techniques, Trataka is for concentration. Sometimes, you are overwhelmed, and then you just blankly stare at the wall. This has happened to most of us. If done regularly, this steady gazing is trataka.

There are three types of gazing techniques. 

1. Bahiranga Trataka (external )

2. Antar Trataka(Inner or internal)

3. Adho Trataka(half-closed and half-opened eyes)

How to practice?

External Trataka is the simplest one for beginners.

• Simply take a candle, keep it lit, and 2-3 feet away at your eye level. 

• Sit in a dark room for better focus.

• Look at the flame steadily, don’t restrain blinking, and don’t blink repeatedly as well; Just look comfortable.

• If you are using candles, then a maximum of 5 minutes is more than enough. Don’t use it for long. 

• While gazing, thoughts might rush in, which is normal; keep them away. The goal is to keep your mind empty.

• After the practice, keep going with the flow. Whatever comes to mind, let them travel through. 

Meditation can be extremely difficult for extrovert-minded and restless people. But looking at something is easier than that. If you get used to the practice, then the next one can be approachable. 

For internal trataka:

• There’s no external object to focus on. An imaginative symbol is like any pattern or deity for spiritual believers. Find yours.

• Then, bring all the focus you have onto that point, that single symbol.

• At first, your vision will be vague. When you start to imagine that clearly, like a source of bright light in a dark space,  then you can be sure that inner trataka has been achieved.

• But this isn’t that easy. Those who are in that phase need to be in a state of consciousness and clarity.

 The perfect time for Trataka sitting is early in the morning or right before going to bed. 

There are some precautions to consider before starting:

✤ Patients with eye disorders like glaucoma, ametropia, and presbyopia are prohibited from practicing this. 

✤ With sensitive eyes, use other objects except flames. You can gaze at any point on the wall. 

✤ Make sure you are using the same symbol. You cannot change the object or symbol, as changing the source of concentration will restart the whole process from zero.

✤ Make sure there’s a ventilation system where you’re using flame gazing.

Benefits of Trataka

Trataka can be called an all-in-one solution to concentration problems. Let’s know how it helps layer by layer. 

From a psychological perspective, it teaches you to empty your mind. The mind has the tendency to fill itself with thoughts, stuff, and random past and future worries, most of the time garbage. It needs training to be create space. When Trataka is practised, it teaches you to focus on one single point. Slowly, your focus, memory, and concentration power build. Your creativity gets to breathe in space. You can reach a state of awareness.

Seneca said, “We suffer more in imagination than in reality.” Trataka is the training about how to keep your mind consciously empty. Letting emotions settle in overwhelming times, and keeping in the moment.

Overthinking comes from fear. Fear comes from attachment. We, by nature, live by some kind of attachment to people, things, emotions, and memory. Focusing on a point lets emotions become steady. Increases rational thinking, breaks negative thought patterns, and teaches letting go of things that ruin the peace of mind.  Research has proven all of these points.

As it enhances neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain to rewire, cognitive improvements are very much proven. Also, increases Alpha and theta waves; as a result, relaxation increases.

For anxiety and stress healing, Trataka works wonders. It lowers cortisol and activates the parasympathetic system. Anxious people have higher amounts of cortisol and a more active sympathetic nervous system that works as a fight response. When the parasympathetic system is boosted up, the nervous system slowly calms.

The 21st century probably has the biggest problem, which is the sleep problem. I hear everyone complaining about their insufficient sleep. They are either insomniacs or oversleepers. Gazing at one point or flame in a calming environment syncs your body with the circadian rhythm that is responsible for the sleep cycle. It also releases melatonin, the sleep hormone. So, you can sleep better. 

Ok, let me explain first what the Vagus nerve is. Basically, the vagus nerve acts like a bridge between your brain and vital organs like the heart, lungs, and immune system. When this nerve stimulates, your organs work in favor of your betterment, your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) can work better, and other functions go smoothly. If explained more specifically, the Vagus nerve is known as the “rest and digest system”. It calms your heart rate and slows breathing so that your digestive system and resting system work properly.

Deep breathing, meditation, and Trataka stimulate the vagus nerve. As a result, a better immune system, lower heart rate, balanced respiratory rate, lower tension rate, healing of depression, anxiety, and better mood can be achieved. In a Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine study in 2016, Trataka significantly improved the cognitive strength proven by the Stroop color test.

Trataka is a prescribed yogic practice for vision improvement. It strengthens the ciliary muscles, which improves eyesight. As a form of eye exercises, it is used in vision therapy. A study on eye health in the International Journal of Yoga reported the efficacy of improvement in eye coordination. 

Not only mental and physical benefits, Trataka is a spiritual awakening tool as well. Mindfully concentrating on a symbol daily strengthens your inner connection. Clarifies many things you haven’t noticed or realized before. A strong path between mind and body is the ultimate spiritual peace. Frustrations, irritations, and resentment just fade away once you know yourself better. Trataka can be a way of achieving emotional independence.

 As it’s a newsletter, and I am sure it has already become lengthy, if you want to know more about it, then do check it out here.  

As usual, Had fun sharing all this info with you.

Let’s chat another day!

Thanks,

Jessie.