Right and Real Way of Candle Gazing Meditation/Trakata and Problems that are Faced:

 

      Candle meditation, also called Trataka, is a powerful and effective form of meditation. It is the exercise that triggers the third-eye activation process quickly. This exercise has a profound effect on both the physical and spiritual aspects of human personalities. It is believed to improve wisdom and psychic energy. One of the most important benefits that a person gets from meditation is peace of mind and calmness. But the benefits can't be reaped if the exact method of candle meditation is not followed.

Surface Knowledge Provided by the People on the Internet about Meditation:

       I know that a lot of people on the internet describe the method of candle staring and its benefits. They simply advise to look at the flame and give some tips on candle gazing. Actually, they themselves have never performed this technique of meditation or they have not gone deep in it. They only study this exercise from some books or  other sources and just publish it on their web page. They do not know the actual issues that have to be faced by practitioner  during this meditation. Trataka is a way to experience the real power of human brain, awaken it and change your personality.

        Here I will share my experience and fully guide you honestly to make you successful in the meditation.

What should be done before starting this exercise?                                If someone wants to have rapid success in meditation, he should practice breath-holding exercise for 20 to 30 minutes. It is a warm-up exercise,  thus prepares him for candle-staring. Breathing exercise fills him with cosmic energy and brings calmness to his mind. 

    The place for meditation must be dark, with no wind blowing across it. Otherwise, the flame of the candle continuously flickers, and the meditator will be unable to hold his eye focused on the flame.

Where should a meditator focus/ fix his eyes on the flame?

        Many a person does not know where to focus his eye 👁️ on the flame. Thus, he often does this exercise wrong and leaves to practice it soon. 

A person who starts practicing  guided meditation of Trataka Sadhana can fix his eyes:

• At the top of the flame
• At the bottom of the flame
• At the middle of the flame
• At the whole flame

I suggest the eyes
be focused on the middle part of the flame, or he should try to grip the whole flame. Often the top part flickers occasionally, breaking his concentration. If someone looks at the bottom of the flame, it is a bit dark (less illuminated, producing some bad impressions on the mind as it demands light energy), and there is also black wick here to reduce the focusing and lessen the effectiveness of this exercise.

       If someone fixes his eyes on the whole flame, again, I would say that occasionally the flame flickers, thus breaking the focus. It is the central part where the meditator should fix his eye. I, myself, fix my eyes on the middle part of the flame, which is more illuminated and the most stable and steady part. This part is easy for the meditator to focus his eyes on.

What should a practitioner think while gazing at the flame?

       I will again say that a beginner just stares at the candle's flame and does not know how to practice this meditation. Many bloggers do not describe how this meditation is done. They do not know the real method of doing it.

       During practicing this exercise, the practitioner should imagine that some type of cool energy is emitting out of the flame, entering his eyes, and seeping into his brain, body, and soul.        When he imagines, he must feel the coolness of this energy surging through his whole human body.

  When one or two months pass or someone feels successful, the next stage is to gaze at the candle's flame without thinking. It means he tries to focus his eyes while thinking nothing (no thoughts in his mind).

What should be done if the eyes wink?

      If someone finds his eyes getting winked at one or two times, he should carry on the practice. Neither need to worry about it nor need to stop it. But if this eye-winking continues time and again, then he should stop this exercise, close his eyes, and just feel relaxed. After a minute or so, try to focus his eyes again on the flame.

What should be done if eyes are soaked with tears?

      If there is a little water or a bit more, then wipe the water with a piece of cloth or the palm of your hand and just carry on with the exercise. But if there is too much water, the flame-staring should be stopped for a minute or so. If there is constant PRICKLING in the eye, stop staring, close the eyes, rub the palms of two hands together, and put the hot palms on the closed eyes. The heat from the palms makes your eyes relax and reduces the prickling and pain. After a few minutes, the meditator should start the exercise.

   Remember, this happens to the beginners or those who practice this exercise for quite a long time. It is common. Constant pain in the eyes demands that you seek the help of a doctor, who would diagnose some physical issue with your eyes.

    What should be the pose to practice Trataka?

   Many beginners adopt the Buddha's

I Think It a Hard Pose.

posture.  It is a hard and difficult pose. The muscles often cramp, and the beginners feel pain in their legs and backs.

I advise to take a seated crawl posture on a mat, not crossed legs one upon the other. It is an easy posture.