Tratak – Discover the Ancient Yogic Concentration Meditation
for Achieving Sharper Memory, Outstanding Concentration &
Blissfulness in Life!
Tratak is an excellent meditation technique to improve concentration
and strengthen memory. It helps to bring the distracted mind towards a
state of one-pointedness.
A continuous flow of thoughts goes on in our mind at all times. Our
mind has the tendency to get distracted. This makes us feel scattered
in different directions and we lack a feeling of integrity.
This inability of our mind to stay still at one point for even a few
moments results in a lack of concentration. This also leads to a lower
than optimal memory.
Students can highly benefit through the practice of Tratak as it
significantly improves the level of concentration and retention of
knowledge. Old people can enjoy a sharper memory.
Its regular practice improves confidence levels, leads to greater
stability in thoughts and improves your ability to focus. Memory
retention also improves and your ability to be aware, attentive and
focused increases.
Concentration Meditation Technique of Tratak
1) Light a candle or an earthen lamp on a small table. Place it around
3 to 4 feet in front of you and sit in a comfortable posture looking at
the direction of the candle. Make sure that the flame is at the level
of your eyes.
It is important that the flame burns steadily during the concentration
meditation. So, make sure that the air around is calm and there is no
breeze around of any kind.
2) You can sit in any meditation posture which is comfortable. You can
also sit on a chair to practice this concentration meditation. Make
sure to keep your spine erect as that helps in better concentration and
focus.
3) Take a few deep breaths to relax yourself and anchor your self in
the present moment. Now, gaze at the flame and keep your gaze on it
without getting distracted towards outer disturbances and thoughts.
Keep your vision focused and steady on the flame without blinking, for
as long as it is comfortable to you. Try to avoid any kind of body
movement during the concentration meditation.
4) Keep your gaze anchored on the flame, and not the candle or wick.
When thoughts arise, ignore them and maintain your awareness and
concentration on the flame. Do not blink while you are gazing at the
flame.
5) Continue to gaze at the flame till the point where you cannot keep
your eyes open and tears start flowing out of your eyes. Once this
happens, you can close your eyes and start visualizing the after-image
of the flame with closed eyes - at the point between the eyebrows at
the center of the forehead (the third eye).
6) The depth and level of your concentration will determine how clear
the after-image is. If you cannot visualize the after image of the
flame with closed eyes, or it wavers or looses clarity, then re-apply
your concentration to restore the position of the after-image.
When the image begins to fade out completely, you can open your eyes
and you can repeat the gazing on the flame again.
7) You can begin with Tratak concentration meditation from 5 to 10
minutes initially up to 20 minutes. Advanced meditators can practice
for longer durations.
Benefits of Tratak Concentration Meditation Practice

-- improves concentration, intelligence and memory.
-- enhances self-confidence, patience and willpower.
-- develops greater work efficiency and productivity.
-- calms the mind and provides inner peace and silence.
-- brings greater clarity in mind and improves decision-making ability.
-- improves the eyesight and vision.
-- helps to overcome mental, behavioral and emotional ailments.
-- provides stress relief and deep relaxation.
-- deepens the sleep and cures sleep related disorders such as
insomnia, nightmares, etc.
Tips for Tratak Concentration Meditation
1) The concentration meditation
technique of Tratak is best practised
during early-morning hours or night hours. If you practice it during
the daytime, then make sure that the room is dark, so that focusing on
the flame is easier.
2) Try getting a decent sized flame by adjusting the size of the wick.
It shall help in achieving a better after-image of the flame and it
will be easier to visualize it with improved concentration.
3) Do not strain your eyes while gazing on the flame. The eyes adjust
naturally in due course of time and it becomes easier to concentrate
and gaze on the flame for longer periods of time.