Awards and Honors Placed third in the "Kundalini Yoga Olympics" overall and won 3 out of 5 events. Note: Yoga is not about competition but this was a special event.
Question Sir,
I have been practising 'trataka' meditation for about 2 weeks and I'm using a candle as trataka object. The main objective of doing the exercise is to alleviate my short-sightedness as well as to gain some spiritual benefits. Now after gazing at the candle for about 4 or 5 minutes, my eyes become watery and my eyes start to burn but still i keep myself from batting eyelids as long as i can and then I close my eyes and visualize the after-image of the candle. My question is that SHOULD I DISCONTINUE STARING AFTER MY EYES GET WATERY AND I GET AN INSTINCT TO CLOSE MY EYES? In that case the exercise will be very short and benefits I want to aquire will be uncertain. ALso, CAN I RESUME EXERCISE AFTER CLOSING MY EYES AND HOLDING AFTER IMAGE FOR SOME TIME I.E., CAN I DO THE EXERCISE IN 2-3 SESSIONS UPTO A CERTAIN DURATION(SAY 20 MINS.) IN ONE SITTING? WHAT WILL BE THE PROPER WAY TO DO IT. AND LASTLY, HOW CAN I REDUCE THE MENTAL DISTRACTIONS SO THAT I CAN CONCENTRATE SINGLE-POINTEDLY/WHOLE-HEARTEDLY ON THE OBJECT?
Sorry for asking you sa many questions at once but i am in a dire need of the answers. I would be very grateful if you could help me if you have time.
Thank you
bibs
Answer Bibs
It is normal for the eyes to water in a lot of meditations, especially this one. Congratulations for being persistent. It is fine to keep staring after the eyes water. Do what you can do. Good times are 5, 11, and 31 minutes. Don't be too hard on yourself. If you do, then you set expectations too high and you will not want to continue. Make it fun. If you blink or lose your concentration, just continue as normal. It is better to do every meditation in one sitting that you can handle than separate sessions.
