How does tratak help in increasing ones sattvikta?

A. Trutak (तृतक): Trut (तृत) means that which is broken yet existing in one line, e.g. _ _ _ _. The word trātak is derived from the word truti (तृटी). Tratak is the method of joining pieces which are linear, that is a method of creating a line of radiance with gradual efforts thus attempting to stabilize the gaze. When one says this occurs in half a nimesh, the nimesh or nimish refers to the duration required for the opening or closing of the eyelids. A 30^th of a nimesh is known as a tatvar and a 100^th of a tatvar is known as a truti.

B. Tru tiryayate (त्रु तीर्ययते), kakayate (काकयते) is a method of steadying one’s gaze akin to a crow, that is by fixing the gaze in one direction and turning around.

C. Tratak also means gazing continuously at one point with the mind or eyes, without blinking. One is supposed to stare at the object of tratak till it is impossible to keep the eyes open or till they start watering.

The object used for tratak is known as the ‘object of tratak’. (That on which one meditates is known as the ‘object of meditation’.)

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• 1. Origin and meaning of tratak
• 2. Types of tratak
  • 2.1 External tratak
  • 2.2 Internal tratak
  • 2.3 Types of external and internal tratak
• 3. Benefits of tratak
  • 3.1 According to physiology
  • 3.2 According to psychology
  • 3.3 According to Spirituality
• 4. Practical suggestions
• 5. The object of tratak (on what should one do tratak?)
• 6. Experiences and spiritual experiences (signs of progress)
• 7. What should one do if one is unable to do tratak?
• 8. Automatic occurrence of tratak?
• 9. Limitations
• 10. Comparison with other paths of Yoga