How To Do Candle Flame Trataka and Its Benefits

https://www.rishikeshyogisyogshala.org/trataka-and-its-benefits/ On following the 8 limbs of yoga, it merges us with the supreme-soul through ‘Samadhi’. But before you attain the samadhi, you must mastery over Dharna (Concentration). In different classical text, there are a number of techniques described which helps in developing the sense of ‘Concentration (Dharna).’ Trataka is one such technique which concentrates the mind by stilling the movement of eyes.   What is TRATAKA The term 'Trataka' or 'Tratak' has been taken from yogic language (Sanskrit) which means 'To look' or 'To gaze'. The gaze in Tratak is focused at some pointed object which can absorb the eyes efficiently (In turn, focuses the mind). Initially, the object can be a source of light (candle flame), a black dot on a white wall or an image of self on a mirror. With time, the practice of visualizing the after-image of an 'external object' gets intense. The focus of an 'external object' can be shift internally on 'mind screen' easily. Hence, one can say, Tratak is a technique that lets us look mind (& so on, the soul) through eyes. An intent and relaxed gazing of eyes on an object don't let wander mind in Trataka. Thus, Trataka in hatha yoga is practiced as a frontal mind purification technique & is a part of shatkarmas. In the language of spirituality, an opening of the third eye is considered a doorway to higher consciousness & enlightenment.   How do Trataka works Our minds & eyes are inter-related to each other. As in our body, there are five sense organs- eyes, ears, nose, skin & tongue. From these, we can smell, sound, touch, sight or feel anything. Among them, all, visual (sight) is the most powerful. In the case of touch & smell, we have to be near the objects so that we can touch or smell it. However, our eyes can observe the objects or the landscapes that are far away without contact that object. In our body, the eyes contain more than 200 million working parts after the brain. The retina and the optic nerve of our eyes develop a direct outgrowth of our brain. The retina & the brain have similar structures, though it says as the retina is a type of brain that grows in the eyes. It is said that our visions are directly connected to our minds. Our mental states can affect our eye movements. Our brain can also be managed or affected by doing some eye practices. That’s the thing which helps people who has good intelligence to judge the mental state of other people through their eyes. Trataka practice is not only the way to attain stillness of mind, but it’s very powerful & quicker in the feedback also. While practicing Trataka, we focused our attention at the objects or the candle flame through our eyes concentration. This helps us in releasing disorders related to the eyes & the brain.   Types of Trataka There are 3 (three) types of Trataka. They are- Antar Trataka (Inner Trataka) Madhya Trataka (Middle Trataka) Bahya Trataka (Outer Trataka) Antar Trataka (Inner Trataka) Antar Trataka is the technique, performed through closed eyes. In this, we have to close our eyes and then focusing on any symbol or point. If we don’t have any symbol or point in mind then we can focus our attention on the middle of our forehead. It is said that in the middle of the forehead, the third eye is present as Lord Shiva has. This 3rd eye is the type of key that helps in the awakening of ‘Ajna Chakra’. ‘Ajna Chakra’, present in the middle of the eyes. Antar Trataka is also known as ‘Dristi Yoga’, ‘Drishti Yoga’, ‘Shambhavi Mudra’, and ‘Bhrukuti-Drishti’. While practicing Antar Trataka, it may feel some pain or heat in our mind in the beginning. But we don’t have to worry about it, as it will normalize gradually. Keep trying to focus on that point. Benefits: Practicing of Antar Trataka can help us to hypnotize any person who is very far from us. It helps us in constructing our confident, intelligence & patience. It also gives us peace by taking away negative thoughts and desires from our minds. Madhya Trataka (Middle Trataka) Madhya Trataka is the technique, performed through open eyes. In this, we have to focus our attention on near objects of any material. We can also practice Madhya Trataka with the candle flame, concentric circles having dots in its middle, black dot in the white wall or vice-versa. We should close our eyes if we feel burning sensation in our eyes & then can start this process (Kriya) again. Keep the object at a distance of 20 to 25 inches at eye level so that there is no pressure or rinsing on our neck. This Trataka should be performed in a dark room that is free from insects and the flow of air. Benefits: Practicing of Madhya Trataka helps us to improve our concentration, memory & mental power. We can get the powers of hypnotic, precaution & spiritual. It also increases our ability to read other’s minds & our working efficiency. Bahya Trataka (Outer Trataka)  Bahya Trataka is the technique, which can be performed at any time of the day or night. In this, we have to focus our eyes and attention on any distant object like the sun, the moon & the stars. The people who are having their eyesight week cannot practice Bahya Trataka. As it may cause them mental disorders. Benefits:   Practicing of Bahya Trataka helps in getting free of mental disorders. It also improves our foresight & motivational power.   How to do Trataka Trataka can be practiced in various ways by focusing our attention on a dot on a leaf, candle flame, darkness, blue sky, photograph, crystal, flower & needle. Trataka on the candle flame is the most effective & popular Trataka.   How to do Trataka on the Candle Flame:  Put the burning candle on the Trataka stand or any other stand, adjust that stand at a distance so that the flame should be at the eye level. Flame on the height can create pressure or pain on our neck. The flame should not be moving in a draft, it should be still. Sit in any meditation sitting posture such as- ‘Siddhasana, ‘Padmasana’, ‘Vajrasana’, and ‘Sukhasana’, in front of the flame. Open the eyes and start focusing our attention at the flame without blinking. If it feels the heat on our eyes, close the eyes for a while and then start again the process (Kriya). In the beginning, we should perform Trataka only for about 10 to 20 seconds, as the time will increase steadily. It may have difficulties in the beginning but we don’t have to worry, as it will normalize gradually. Practice it again & again. Focusing our attention at the flame, until we’ll not get tears or water from our eyes. After practicing Trataka, we may blink a few times to relieve anxiety. But just be calm. We can repeat this process (Kriya), according to our interests. Or we can practice the same process with the other objects that are mentioned above.   Benefits of Trataka: Strengthens our eye muscles: As the blinking of an eye is in our control while we focus our attention at the small objects of any material. It helps us in strengthening our eye muscles. Purifies our eyes: As we exercise it to focus upon a point which helps in improving the internal functions of an eye. This helps in purifying our eyes. Treats our eye disorders: When we gaze at an object such as the candle flame or any other small object. This improves our eye concentration that helps in treating eye disorders.  Relieves insomnia: As practicing Trataka gives us peace by taking away negative thoughts & desires from our minds. This helps us in relieving insomnia.  Aids in treating depression: As Trataka is also a mind purifying technique, this technique purifies the mind by decreasing negative desires or thoughts. This helps in treating depression. Improves our concentrations: When we practice gazing at any small objects regularly, it increases our consciousness. This improves our concentration power.  Calms our anxious mind: As Trataka practice helps us in disconnecting with the noise & distraction from the external world. This is really deep relaxing or calming your anxious mind. Promotes our emotional stability: Concentrating on a single object by practicing Trataka, can promote our emotional stability. Boosts our willpower: When we’ll have the spiritual & mental powers by practicing Trataka. Then we can also boost our willpower. Develops intuition & clairvoyance: As we practice Trataka regularly & consistently is said, it’s a key of awakening ‘Ajna Chakra’. ‘Ajna Chakra’ is also known as the ‘third eye’. This helps in developing intuition & psychic power. Improves our vision & memory: It is said that 50% of our minds keep engaging on ‘what we see’. Trataka is totally based on vision as it is practiced by visualizing the small objects of any material. Improves our consciousness power: When we keep concentrating on gazing an object & to optimize it. It improves our consciousness power.   Read More...  Read Less...

What are the Importance and Benefits of Pranayama

https://www.rishikeshyogisyogshala.org/what-is-pranayama-and-its-benefits/ This is a two-part series to explain the importance and benefits of Pranayama. In the first part Let's discuss the concept and meaning of pranayama as defined in Hatha Yoga and Patanjali Yog Sutra. In the next part of this blog, the techniques and benefits of each technique are discussed in the detail. Concept and Meaning of Pranayama It should be noted that Pranayama is not deep breathing similarly retaining the breath once only as long as one can do so is not the way of Pranayama. Prana Means the vital force, Ayama is the lengthening or widening through control. When breathing is controlled so as to retain the prana, it is Pranayama. The ultimate aim of Pranayama is to be able to retain the breath. There are three types of Pranayama, namely, Puraka (inhalation), Rechaka (exhalation) and Kumbhaka (retention) are of two types, Antaranga (internal) and Bahiranga (external). "Tatah Ksiyate prakashavaranam" Thereby the covering of light disappears. It is said in Patanjali Yoga Sutra that by the practice of Pranayama the psychic centers are activated and as a result of that, the covering of knowledge is removed. Prakasha here means the psychic centers. The psychic centers are usually covered or veiled due to sensory experiences. The luminosity of these subtler vehicles is limited or covered by the physical matter of the brain. Removal of psychic or pranic blockages In pranayama practices breath is considered as the vehicle which harmonizes, activates and liberates psychic and vital energies in the body. Removal of covering by Pranayama means removal of the covering physical matter over the psychic faculty. It means that when you have practiced Pranayama something happens in you by which the psychic energies are released from the veil or control or obstruction of the physical mechanisms of the brain. Energy is released even when you switch on the light or switch on the fan. Pranayama creates a similar condition in the brain by which the inherent psychic faculties are released. Concept of Pranayama as per Hatha Yoga [caption id="attachment_8875" align="alignleft" width="402"] Bhramari Pranayama[/caption] In the tradition of Hatha Yoga, practices of pranayama should only be started once the body is released from dross and energy channels are free from blockages through the practices of Shatkarma (cleansing techniques), Asana (Hatha yoga pose) and Yogic diet. Pranayama is more than simple breathing exercises and it must be practiced systematically and under the proper guidance. The word Prana is a combination of two syllables. Pra and Na. Prana denotes constancy it is a force in constant motion. Prana is the vital life force and Pranayama is the process by which internal pranic store is increased. Pranayama is comprised of two words Prana & Ayama. Which means Pranic capacity or length: It is not merely breath control but a technique through which quantity of Prana in the body is activated in a higher frequency. In yogic terminology, it is said that whatever is manifest is the sthoola rupa or gross form of the subtle, cosmic energy, known as prana. In yoga and tantra, there is an eternal truth: the basis of existence depends on the two forces, Shiva & Shakti, consciousness and energy, ultimately they are not two forces but one; Shakti or prana is the creative and dynamic aspect of consciousness or Shiva. The purpose of hatha yoga is the realize Shiva or consciousness by means of Shakti or Prana. Pranayama is practiced in order to understand and control the pranic process in the body. Breathing is a direct means of absorbing Prana and the manner in which we breathe sets off Pranic Vibration which influence our entire being. Effects of Pranayama on Prana and Mind When prana moves, chitta (the mental force) moves. When Prana is without movement, Chitta is without movement. By this (steadiness of Prana) the yogi attains steadiness and should thus restrain the Vayu (Air)’. II/2 Hatha Yoga Pradipika Prana and mind are intricately linked. Fluctuation of one means fluctuation of others. When either the mind or the prana becomes balanced the other is steadied. Hatha yoga says, control the Prana and the mind is automatically controlled, whereas Raja Yoga says, control the mind Prana gets controlled. These are two approached of yoga. The mind is equated with a wild monkey, jumping here and there. Because of this inborn tendency, it is very difficult to hold it still. Hatha yoga says let the mind be concentrate on the automatic body functions and vital energy and mind will become quite by itself. When the nervous impulses steady and rhythmic, the brain functions are regulated and the brain waves become rhythmic. The breathing process is directly connected to the brain and central nervous system. It also has some connection with the Hypothalamus, the brain center, which controls emotional responses. The Hypothalamus is responsible for translating perception into the cognitive experience. Erratic breathing sends erratic impulses to this center and thus creates disturbed responses. [caption id="attachment_8874" align="alignleft" width="375"] Nadi Shodhana Pranayama[/caption] There are also certain areas of nasal mucous membrane which are connected to the visceral organs. When impulses coming from the nose are rhythmic the visceral organs, particularly those connected to the coccygeal plexus, respond in the same manner, rhythmically. Being disturbed, these organs again send irregular impulses to the brain and cause more disharmony and imbalance. This cycle is continuous. By becoming aware of the nature of breath and by restraining it, the whole system is controlled. When you retain the breath you are stopping nervous impulses in different parts of the body & harmonizing the brain wave patterns. In Pranayama, it is the duration of breath retention which has to be increased. The longer the breath is held the greater the gap between nerve impulses and their responses in the brain. When retention is held for a prolonged period mental agitation is curtailed. Pranayama as per Patanjali Yoga Sutra Actually, Patanjali defines Pranayama as the gap between inhalation and exhalation. Pranayama is usually considered to be the controlled inhalation and exhalation combined with retention. However, technically speaking it is the only retention. Inhalation/exhalation are methods of inducing retention. Retention is most important because it allows a longer period for as it allows more time for the exchange of gases in the cells. I.e. oxygen and carbon dioxide. Patanjali further says that retention of breath after expiration removes the hindrance to yoga. In Hatha Yoga, Yoga is the union of the two poles of energy within us, known as Ida (the mental or psychic force) and Pingala (the vital force). In mundane awareness, these poles are separate from each other. In transcendental awareness, these poles come closest together and during retention, the poles come closest together. Breath retention must be developed in order to stop the fluctuation of the brain and mind so that more expansive types of experience can develop. When you go further into yoga, there comes a time when you must have some control of the mind so you can dive deeper within yourself. When you try to practice mantra or meditation, the fluctuating mental waves create a barrier between you and the object you are trying to focus your awareness on. In the next part of this blog, learn about the Types of Pranayama and Their Benefits. Rishikesh Yogis Yogshala offers Yoga Alliance accredited Yoga Teacher Training Certification Courses in Rishikesh. At Rishikesh Yogis, we believe yoga is a lifestyle. It is not a technique or a mere practice; it is how one can lead their life towards its betterment. Our yoga retreats and training sessions lead you to immerse yourself into the yogic lifestyle while dwelling in an ashram-style setting, alongside experienced and dedicated yogis. We have Internationally acclaimed award-winning world-class certified yoga trainers. Read More...  Read Less...