TRATAKA Candle Gazing

                    C a n d l e G a z i n g

                                     Finding Balance, creating Focus

       In a busy world where busy seems to equal reward, and excellence,

and that moment of quiet focused stillness seems like a goal that has a hard time finding a permanent time slot in our lives , what we begin to become aware of over time are the side effects of this imbalance that turn this ‘busy theory” on its head, showing us more difficulties and less reward.

     There comes a time where we finally bring this constant busyness to a grinding halt , and we know it’s time for a redirection in focus. But after being so busy for so long how do we all of a sudden take a time out? The decision to finally stop and slow down, doesn’t always mean that our busy mind will agree. So how can you begin to cultivate a calm steady focus and slow the mind down?

    According to the ancient ways, one way that might be worth trying is the ancient technique of candle gazing.

Experts and some researchers have suggested that candle gazing meditation, can help to relive mental stress, reduce anxiety, free your mind from negative thoughts and sharpen your eyesight.

    So what is Candle gazing also known as Trataka, and where did this practice come from ?

Candle gazing meditation has its roots in ancient Indian yoga practices . You can find early mentions of trataka in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika, a 15th century Sanskrit manual on yoga.

Trataka is also said to pave the way for a deeper meditation practice by increasing concentration, or dharana in the Eight Limbs of Yoga.

  Meditation is one of the ways we can slow down, be present, open ourselves to deeper clarity and understanding within our daily life challenges, as well as helping to ground our energies , within theses challenging busy live that we live.

Some believe that a regular practice of candle gazing Taktara, can actually enhance intuition, give you the ability to visualize , and deepen your spiritual connection.

So what is the process in candle gazing, well like most things there seem to be a few different interpretations of this practice, and after exploring a bit, I found one that seemed to offer a clear and easy step, by step, practice.

 1. Find a quiet place with not too much light, where you will not be disrupted by distractions.

 2. Clear a space intentionally where you can place a single candle.

 3. Take a minute to sit comfortably close your eyes and connect with your breath. and if you are comfortable with chanting,

chant Om three times, take a moment to be present, and scan the body from head to toe and BREATHE.

 4. Then open your eyes and light your candle, relax your eyes and begin to gaze at the flame. Relax your whole body be aware of your breath as it flows in and out, and let your eyes to focus on the flame. keep your eyes focussed on the flame, try to refrain

from blinking too much, let your eyes become watery and continue to gaze at the flame. When your eyes become tired close

them gently and feel your eyes carry the light within, hold to the vision of the light between the third eye in the middle of the

forehead, be one with the light and BREATHE.

 5. Then open your eyes and look at the flame of the candle again, hold your gaze as long as you can, let your eye begin to get

watery, when you close your eyes carry the light into the middle of your forehead into the third eye visualize the flame , feel

the light move through your whole body, become one with the light, one with the flame within, be with the light, and

BREATHE.

 6. Then open your eyes again and repeat the process one more time, stay with the light as long as you can then close your eyes

and visualize the light within, be with the light, BREATHE, feel that light radiate in all directions , let that light fill your whole

body , focus on the light, visualize the light in the middle of the forehead within the third eye, stay with the light. BREATH.

take your time to be with the light, just observe, the colours, the distance the shape, be with the moment, be with your breath,

feel the stillness of the moment, rest in the Peace. of that stillness.

                                                                     Inhale Deeply, and repeat Om, three times.

                                              Lead us from the darkness into the light.

                                                                            OM

                                                                                        reconnectingwithyourinnerself.com

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