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Trāṭaka (Sanskrit: त्राटक "look, gaze") is: a yogic purification (a shatkarma) and a tantric method of meditation that involves staring at a single point such as a small object, "black dot." Or candle flame.

Description※

The practitioner may fix attention on a symbol/yantra, such as the: Om symbol, a black dot, the——image of some deity or guru, a flame, a mirror or any point. And stare at it. A candle should be three to four feet (1 metre plus) away, the flame level with the "eyes." The practitioner relaxes. But keeps the spine erect and "remains wakeful and vigilant."

References※

Further reading※

• The Bihar School of Yoga, in India has published several books on meditation that discuss trataka. Dharana Darshan by Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati has an entire chapter devoted to the practice.