Tuesday, April 4, 2017

TRATAK MEDITATION MEDITATION, THIRD EYE MEDITATION

TRATAK MEDITATION -
THIRD EYE MEDITATION

The meditation technique which you are going to read is ‘Trataka’  (also known as third eye meditation). In the belief system of ‘Tantra’ and ‘Hatha Yoga’ there is a concept of Kundalini .


[ Have you ever heard of Tantra or ‘Hatha’ Yoga ? If not then let me tell you very briefly that ‘Tantra’ is a sort of esoteric spiritual path that involves doing a number of activities which seem bizarre and odd to many people. Soon I’ll write a separate article on Tantra.


‘Hatha’ Yoga is a branch of Yoga and it involves indulging in various physical exercises and breathing routines (known as Pranayam.) Many things in ‘Hatha Yoga’ and Tantra are common’ . In this article, without going into the details of Tantra, Hatha Yoga or Pranayam, I have tried to present a simple meditation technique of third eye. The topics of Tantra, Hatha & Pranayam will be covered in other articles soon]


It has been discovered that there are seven chakras (or points of consciousness) in our body. These Chakras  (literally Chakra means rings) are situated at different points in our body.  Among these Chakras, the 6th Chakra is known as ‘ Aagya Chakra’ located between the eyebrows and  is said to be the seat of the mystical “third eye”.


The physical location of this chakra is at the center of our forehead. Just above the place between our eyes. It is believed that Kundalini (the energy field) travels from the first Chakra (also known as Muladhara Chakra, situated at the base of our spine) and travels to 2nd, 3rd, 4th…..chakra to reach the 7th Chakra of Sahasrara. Here it meets with the Supreme Consciousness- Shiva. The ‘Agya Chakra’ is the 6th chakra (the second last Chakra in the path of  Kundalini).


This 3rd eye meditation revolves around this 6th center of consciousness – Agya Chakra. This Agya Chakra’ is considered as the center where our third eye resides. Though there is no physical third eye present in the body but at a more subtle, spiritual plane it has been experienced by many people that a stimulating center of consciousness exist here. Trataka (or third eye meditation) is the meditation technique of ‘Agya Chakra’. When we focus our awareness on third eye, we automatically and instantly attain a meditative state.


Now without further going into the scientific explanation or spiritual significance of this meditation technique let us learn the exact method of this  simple meditation technique of ‘Trataka’ which may take you into a meditative state instantly.


The method of Third Eye Meditation

[Please don’t do this meditation in train or bus i.e. while traveling. You’ll not be able to do it properly when your body is in motion. ]
Sit in the lotus pose (cross legged). [if it not possible for you then  sit comfortably on chair or bad]
keep your spine straight.
close your eyes.
inhale and exhale deeply for 3 times.
Now concentrate on the middle of your forehead around the area which is a few centimeters above the middle of your eyes.


Keep your eyes closed and draw both of your eyes towards this center point of 3rd eye. I  mean just look upwards with your eyes closed . Focus your closed eyes at  20-25 degrees above just at the center of the forehead (at the place of third eye.) Now slowly at about two-second interval, start counting in your mind backward from one hundred to one (that is 100,99,98,97….and so on). As you do it, keep your eyes centered towards the third eye.


[ Here I want to clear a doubt which comes in the mind of many people ]
Well it seems too vogue to know the exact position of third eye. In the middle of forehead is OK. but as I try to concentrate my both eyes at that point I get confused where is the exact point of third eye ? Is there a way to know that I have centered my eyes exactly on third eye?
Answer : To know exactly that you have centered your eyes on the third eye is very simple. As you draw your eyes towards the center of forehead by looking upwards at 20-25 degree angle, at a particular point both of your eyes will become still, absolutely motionless. You will feel as if a force is slowly pulling your eyes towards itself. It will be just like a magnetic attraction. As and when you experience this state, you’ll be at the right point ! ]


Do you know what you’ll feel ? You’ll feel a pleasant strain on your eyes.


yes ! a pleasant strain in eyes.
There will be a strain but you will enjoy it. By the time you reach 3..2…1(in backward counting), you will feel a strange sensation in and around your third eye. There will be a feeling which is difficult to describe in words. Keep your concentration on third eye.


Once you achieved this state of stillness of eyes many of you will feel as if you can see your thoughts. Just like a screen you will see your thought appearing before you
. Have you ever thought what is the source through which we see the inner thought process of our body ?. When you close your eyes there are many things which we see and observe. We observe all those things through third eye.


Your thoughts will stop. If they appear at all, you will be able to see them like a dream. In this situation you will realize the real watcher in you. You will be able to easily perceive the witness inside you. Something different from body and mind and yet a part of you.
Just be in this state for 10-15 minutes.


Now slowly  return from this state to the state of normalcy. Release the strain from your eyes and slowly shift them from the third eye to their normal position.   Let them loose and free. Move your consciousness from the third eye.


Be still for few minutes. Allow the eyes to retain their normal movements. Inhale and exhale deeply for three time. Slowly open your eyes. Your meditation is complete.
This third eye meditation is a very powerful method for developing concentration. This is also a very very helpful exercise for eyes too. Your eyes will remain healthy. No matter how much strain and tension your eyes are subjected to in a day, doing this meditation daily in morning and evening insure your eyes against any further damage.


Meditating on ‘Agya Chakra’ is also believed to be helpful in developing intuitive power.  Doing this meditation regularly certainly helps in developing intuition but I must clarify that the concept of intuition and clairvoyance are beyond the scope of this website. Here we will restrict ourselves with just  learning meditation. Please note that  we should not learn meditation for gaining some kind of meta-physical or supernatural expertise.


Learn meditation for the sheer joy of meditation, for the bliss it provides us. If you expect something from it, you will deviate from the path . Don’t expect anything and you may get many rewards.


FEW WORDS OF WARNING:

Though I have taken care in explaining this meditation technique of Trataka  by telling you just that which is sufficient for you ; I still feel that you should be aware of the sensitiveness of this meditation and about some precautions which you should follow while trying this.


When you meditate on Agya Chakra, you meditate on a part of your subtle body. It may happen that when you meditate on your third eye, you feel that the center of your forehead is heating up. When it happens it indicates that the third eye is attracting energy of the Kundalini. Though this heating is not harmful, you should be very careful.


There may be a feeling of hotness with itching on third eye area. As and when it happens stop immediately. As a layman who does not know the intricacy of this Kundalini and its various paths, it s better to limit oneself to the process of meditation only i.e. achieving a still and thought-free state of existence.


Please don’t indulge in this meditation too deeply if you start feeling too much hot sensation on your third eye area. Few things should be used only in moderation if we do not have the capacity to handle their larger implication.


So be happy and be meditative. Try third eye meditation without giving any thought to  Kundalini awakening. Just do what has been told and you will be in meditation. The awakening of Kundalini is a concept of yogis who are full time dedicated to this subject. We, as a common men and women of twenty first century, neither have he time nor the patience which is required for Kundalini awakening.
Nevertheless, if you do want to know more and experiment on this, please consult a yogic expert who can personally guide you. As far as meditation is concerned what I have told you is enough.






Trataka means steady gazing. It is a very simple and beautiful

Meditation Technique.
Method:

In this a regular candle is used, however any other object of choice can be used. The candle is set up at an arm's distance, level with eyes, and steady gazing is first done with the eyes open. After some time, the eyes are closed, and the after image of the flame is 'gazed at' with eyes closed at the eye brow center. Try not to move through out the practice. Relax your breath , let it lengthen, deepen.

This open gazing of the flame and then with the eyes closed is alternated a couple of times before concluding the practice.

If using a candle for Trataka, the gaze should be fixed at the wick tip and not on the flame.

Trataka on a candle flame is best practised with a trataka stand.
The Trataka stand is a unique candle holder recommended for the convenient practice of trataka. The easy adjusting mechanism ensures that you can maintain the height of the candle flame at the horizontal eye level in every session quite easily.

Caution:

If practicing Trataka on a Candle flame, do not continue the practice for more than a month or two at a stretch as it may lead to damage of the retina.


Benefits:

It improves the optic function, both external and internal, such as poor eyesight and visualization abilities.
It helps develop concentration and mental resolve.
Develops the ability to maintain one-pointedness in amongst the noise and distractions of daily life.
Develops the psychic eye, that is the ability to "see" or understand what is inside and beyond the obvious.It develops the power of Intuition.

REFERENCE BOOKS AND MEDITATION




Chakras: The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Chakra Meditation - How to Awaken and Balance Your


Seven Major Chakras! (Awaken Chakras, Third Eye)


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