The practice of Traataka – candle gazing, is a centering practice for the Mind in times of external and internal turmoil. It is a practice that helps a distracted mind and practically speaking and in my view, it is great practice for those lost in social media and the blue light of their computer.
Traataka is a reputed to be a helpful practice for emotional disturbance, giving focus and working out what really is going on. It is a simple practice but at is the case with many simple practices, it is a profound practice.
Traataka described simply is gazing at a candle flame without blinking.
Don’t go beyond your capacity. Sitting about three feet away from the flame, you may wish to start with 3 minutes and then after about 5 days increase this to 6 minutes then 5 days later 9 minutes until you can stare at the candle flame without blinking for 15 minutes.
There is one caveat to not blinking and that if tears begin to flow from the eye/s, gently close the eye lids, wipe the tears and imagine the candle flame deep in the forehead space, in the “minds eye”. When the image begins to disappear, open your eyes and continue staring at the candle flame.
It is an excellent practice for focus, determination. and dealing with a distracted mind, its gives great peace to a disturbed mind and literally “lightens” the mind.
The essence of the practice is people do not see what is in front of them. What they see is coloured by their viewpoints and thoughts that come and go. When people first start this practice they do not really see the candle flame although that is what they are staring at – in other words they are not present to the flame. They are only present to the movie clips of the mind. This practice allows you to pierce through the movie of the mind and introduces you to your own light.
This practice brings peace and light to the mind reminding it of its intrinsic nature, “Jyotishaam jyotirekam”, the light of all lights. This idea is taken from the Siva Sankalpa Sukta from the Yajurveda (translation from the Himalayan Institute)
“ the Mind wonders far and wide when it is awake and returns to itself in sleep. May My mind, that is the one light of all lights be filled with suspicious thoughts”
Traataka is a foundational practice for many advanced practices. You can add to the practice by adding a mantra such as So Hum or combining this mantra with breath or do japa of Gayatri mantra.
This practice is contra indicated if you have cataracts, myopia glaucoma, astigmatism or epilepsy. If in doubt please consult with your yoga teacher.
Rajesh Rai