How Trataka to provide more space to one's conscious plane

June 15, 2018

''You can not change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight''

The six practices aim at internal cleansing of the entire body and making it disease free. Trataka is a Hatha yoga practices to develop concentration. Steady Gazing at a particular object without winking is an excellent concentration exercise. Trataka is mainly intended for developing concentration and mental ability. Constant and regular practises of Trataka gives one more space and time to contemplate one’s response between conscious efforts/tasks. The key to concentration is Trataka and once an aspirant has mastered this, they can observe a lot more within. Trataka is very useful for the students of hath Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Raja yoga; and Trataka is the best method to help gain control of the mind. Trataka provides more space to aspirant’s conscious plane allowing them to actually listen to their body which will in turn cultivate an accurate and reliable inner guidance system.

The shat-karmas are made up of six practices

1. Neti - see previous article.

2. Dhauti- to clean the internal organ of the body.

3. Nauli – to clean and strengthen intestines.

4. Basti-cleans the colon and anus.

5. Trataka- cleanses the eyes.

6. Kapalbhati-cleanses head.

There are three sorts of Trataka; Inner Trataka, Near Trataka and Far-off Trataka:

· Inner Trataka Gaze at the point between your eyebrows, the third eye five minutes of gazing is sufficient for a beginner and build up to ten minutes or more as per the will of aspirant allows.

· Near Trataka is where the focus point is about 2 to 3 feet away from the aspirant and to gaze at an object that must be horizontal to the aspirant’s shoulder level.

· Far-off Trataka is where the focus point is far into the distance, does have to be a physical object. Can be just gazing into the distance, like sun, moon and tree.

Hypnotism, mesmerism, reiki and mantra chanting can to be developed through by practises of Trataka.

When a stone is thrown into a still water which results in the water rippling out in a series of widening circles around at the point where the stone strikes the surface of the still water, the process will continue until they reach the shore. The mind is just like still water and its surface can be disturbed by ripples of thought or sensation, if you want to see still water then you have to watch and let the waves settle down themselves, in the same way the mind can be controlled by observation then one can see the Self which lies beneath. To become the master of your mind, one must learn to still the sensation.

Sensations occur at all times throughout the body and every biochemical reaction gives rise to a sensation which is a natural process. During meditation all of these sensations settle down easily, when concentration is deep and intense will increase prana in the entire body which will stop all sorts of senses operating. Through meditation one will get subtle esoteric insights in the conscious plane.

The best time for meditation is early morning, before sun rises which provides certain distinct advantages. Firstly, one’s mind and body are regenerated from the night’s rest, secondly one’s conscious and subconscious are mind linked, in that the mind’s attention is easily turned inward. Aspirant can quieten his/her mind effortlessly at this time and keep their attention toward the third eye. Bring back scattered attention from all sides to the centre from where it has spread out. Third eye is the perfect point from where one can get control over the body’s movements. One can easily observe each and every sensation within the body including any movement or shift in that sensation. E.g. if pain is felt, if one focuses on that point and observes, after some time you will notice a shift in the pain and there will come a time when the pain subsides completely. The pain can be seen as ripple in the water, by observing and allowing the ripple to become still, one relieves the pain.

Practice Trataka for only 5 minutes a day and observe the difference it makes in your mental well-being as well as amplifying one’s concentration levels and visual power.