Meditation: Trataka

Trataka

Every day, we live in a world of sensory overload – we take in shapes, colours, forms, signage, sounds, noise, vibrations, pollution, radiation, people, animals nature and increasing amounts of mass media. Most of this information is unseen or subliminal and we are not always aware of this input. The practice of trataka gives us a tool to assist with shutting off this overload and reducing mental and visual activity. This in turn allows us some space to begin managing the many distractions of the mind.

What?

Trataka means to “gaze steadily’ and takes between 5 – 10 minutes a day. This ancient meditation technique involves concentrating one’s gaze on a fixed object or symbol. A very popular object often used in yoga is the candle flame, however, other equally useful choices of object are a single flower, the moon, a star, or a mandala.

Why?

Trataka is an effective, short, simple yet powerful yoga practice.

The aim of trataka is to increase the ability to focus the mind at any time. This is achieved by channeling all our attention to one point so that stillness can be achieved. The action of focusing the eyes encourages the mind to become single pointed leading to a higher state of dhyana (meditation).

More information check out my meditation page.It's number 4 so scroll down.