The Tratakum Gazing Meditation

This photo shows Yogi Bhajan's state of mind for the Tratakum Gazing Meditation to be done. In Kundalini Yoga, this form of meditation involves Gazing into the eyes of a neutral person, such as Yogi Bhajan. It is a powerful technique to focus pranic energy and increase the ability to concentrate. The pranic energy gives life to the atom, all matter, and the mind. The general technique of gazing is called Tratakum. The stories around gazing are many, and the simple truths are well obscured. A spiritual man can tell how open and accomplished you are by the pranic glow from your eyes.

In the Kundalini Yoga scriptures it says. "Even a glance from the eyes of a holy' man can cure mental and physical imbalances." It is extremely rare for any master to give a photo that shows neutrality and a direct stare from the eyes, This is the only type of picture suitable for Tratakum Gazing. Not all pictures do something. However weird that particular picture is-sometimes you don't like it-- that's the only picture that works. All other pictures can do nothing. That's the only one.

In such a photo it is impossible to get stuck on the level of personality. In fact. since it is neutral, the photo will be both impersonal and personal. It will reflect you better than a mirror. In a mirror you can fool yourself with your own face. In the Guru Yoga photo of Tratakum Gazing you cannot. In such a photo there must also be a light in the eyes of the teacher.

Yogi Bhajan

This photo shows Yogi Bhajan, in the netrual state of mind. He is not even looking at you, and yet you feel his eyes following you, everywhere, looking at you.

A photo with the direct stare of neutrality can heal, and give you, the instant ability to contact your own higher guidance.

We are fortunate to have such a picture of Yogi Bhajan, the Mahan Tantric. If it is meditated on properly and seriously the karmas cam be erased and individual destiny expanded.

Teachers are connected by the Golden Chain unto Infinity. Guru Yoga allows you to ascend the Golden Chain. It is an action done with humility. Nothing else has the value of this meditation. It is a must for any student or teacher of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan to have an experience of this. The practice is called "mental beaming". It gives the mind the ability to project to Infinity through the creative power of the imagination.

For instructions on how to do the Tratakum Meditation, a full-size copy of Yogi Bhajan's Tantric picture. A glossy 8.5 x 11" photo can be purchased from Ancient Healing Ways. Tratakam Meditation Photo and Information Sheet # 17058 (there is more to the mediation than just gazing into the eyes)

The Tratakum Gazing Meditation can be found in the The Aquarian Teacher - International Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training, Level One Textbook- Instructor You can also buy the photo and how to do this at Ancient Healing Ways.

The Tratik (gazing meditation) method using the Tantric Photo versus a Yantra or a flower is special in that I am looking at another person. An apparently "in-animate" image of another person but a very alive one. I can not fully analyze the image for anyone what exactly is going on. That would only create labels and a barrier to direct experience. What I can say is that nearly one hundred photos were taken of Yogiji while he was in a state of perfect Tantra. The one we use is the one that was chosen.

The angle of the eyebrows....the fact that the eyes are actually focusing around you and not directly at you. There are too many things going on to describe. One message that is coming through is that he [the entity in the picture] is saying "I'm dwelling in the Infinite, why aren't you?" There is a quality of challenge to it, but not a menacing one. Though it's not an image for hanging above your fireplace.

The fact that I am looking at another "human", gives me a chance to be with my interpersonal issues. Maybe even issues that I may not feel capable of disclosing to another person, no matter how much I pay. There is an opportunity to resonate deeply with some parts of our self that can be pretty "sticky". My deepest, most liberating work has been done with the Tantric photo.

I KNOW parts of my brain and self that previously, were not shaking hands are, at least, on talking terms. And I'm talking about parts of myself that I generally censor in my day to day connection with other homo sapiens. And it does take a bit of inspiration and courage to do this kind of work, even with a picture. I like doing this at around 3am or after Sadhana meditations before the daylight begins. You want nothing else distracting you, you want total darkness all around you with only candles providing the light.

I would sit with the intention of doing maybe 31 minutes but I'd keep adding time as time became a non issue. It was such a nutritious experience I'd often go for 70 minutes or so. Regarding the eyes, you'll want to raise both the upper and lower lids. This will keep more moisture close to the pupils of the eyes, keeping dryness at bay. I'd squint to retain moisture and blink when I have to. During longer sessions I'd use Singh Kaur's Guru Ram Das (For Protection), from Crimson Collection 1 and 2. It's spacious, clear and etheric enough to allow for the space.

We are fortunate to have such a picture of Yogi Bhajan, the Mahan Tantric. If it is meditated on properly and seriously the karmas cam be erased and individual destiny expanded. Teachers are connected by the Golden Chain unto Infinity. Guru Yoga allows you to ascend the Golden Chain. It is an action done with humility. Nothing else has the value of this meditation. It is a must for any student or teacher of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan to have an experience of this. The practice is called "mental beaming". It gives the mind the ability to project to Infinity through the creative power of the imagination.

For instructions on how to do the Tratakum Meditation, a full-size copy of Yogi Bhajan's Tantric picture. A glossy 8.5 x 11" photo can be purchased from Ancient Healing Ways. Tratakam Meditation Photo and Information Sheet #17058 (there is more to the mediation than just gazing into the eyes)

The Tratakum Gazing Meditation can be found in the The Aquarian Teacher - International Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training, Level One Textbook- Instructor