Ayurveda Meditation Practice: Trataka Meditation (Audio Recording)
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Ayurveda Meditation
Meditation is very beneficial for not only the mind, but also the body. In Ayurveda we call it Dhyana Chikitsa or meditation as therapy because meditation has the power to heal us in many ways and on many levels. It calms and relaxes. It centers us. It allows us to decompress and connect to a higher state of consciousness.
Developing a meditation practice can be difficult. But as Maya Tiwari says in her book “The Path of Practice: A Woman’s Book of Ayurvedic Healing”: “It may be hard at first to honor your promise, but soon enough you’ll experience some results, and that will reinforce your commitment.”
Trataka Meditation
In this Ayurveda meditation audio recording, you will be led through a 14 minute Trataka Meditation practice. Trataka Meditation or Flame Gazing Meditation connects us with the fire element. There are five elements according to Ayurveda: earth, water, fire, air, space or ether. When we practice Trataka Meditation or Fire Gazing Meditation, we are harnessing the energy of the element of fire. In Ayurveda, the fire element is associated with the eyes and sight. That is why Trataka Meditation is a practice done with the eyes open. Aside from mindfulness meditation, Trataka is one of the only meditation practices not done with the eyes closed. Having your eyes closed during meditation, helps to settle the mind and slow the thoughts. However, when you focus your sight and attention onto the flame or element of fire, the mind settles and the thoughts slow. This is a very ancient Ayurvedic practice that also utilizes the 5th limb of yoga, Pratyahara. Pratyahara is often labeled the “forgotten limb of yoga.” It means one-pointed focus or one-pointed attention. It also means “sensory withdrawal.” Both of these things are prerequisites for meditation.
Trataka Meditation involves you using a candle flame as a sensory focus. Traditionally in Ayurveda, you would use a ghee lamp, but that can be difficult for some to find, so a candle will do just fine. You will set the candle on a sacred space like an altar. And then you will gaze at the flame. Allow your mind to merge into the flame. Become one with the flame. Becoming one with the flame means, absorbing your inner light with the outer light of the universe. This can enable the truth of the universe unfold itself to you. You can see how your individual consciousness is made up of the same matter and elements of cosmic consciousness. You are a divine being. Filled with beauty. Filled with light.
Trataka Meditation also allows you to offer your negative karmas, samskaras, repetitive thought patterns to the fire for purification and transformation. This will help you to end the cycle of negative thoughts. And with time and repetition, you can completely transform those karmas and samskaras. Now follow along as you are led through the Ayurvedic meditation technique of Trataka Meditation.
Music by Fried Coffee.