AJNA CHAKRA :- THE GURU'S CENTER

                                       



 

TRATAK AJNA CHAKRA MANDALA
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             The Ajna chakra or Third eye is also known as the Eye of intuition. It is wisest to work on opening/activating this chakra before approaching any of the others . An open Ajna chakra brings with it the gift of Viveka - discriminating faculty. .. a clear mind . This chakra is also known as Guru Gyan... wisdom imparted by the realized Guru is transmitted through this psychic center. Therefore the simplest mantra for this centre is the Guru Mantra "GURU HREENG"

AJNA CHAKRA 

 Located just behind the eyebrow center,the lotus of Ajna is the color of dark rain clouds and has two petals. The Beeja mantra or seed sound for this center is "Om" and on the two petals are inscribed the sanskrit letters हं , क्षं ( "Hum" & "Ksham").


One of the most effective practices for awakening this centre is the Tratak Kriya. Tratak is the practice of developing single pointed focus.

How to practice Tratak to awaken Ajna Chakra

 A lamp or candle with its flame placed about an inch higher than eye level and at a distance of about 3 to 5 feet is ideal for practice.
 One should practice focusing on the flame in a quiet and dark room, which has a comfortable temperature and and is free from distractions. A gentle asana practice,or some stretching before attempting the kriya will make it easier to sit still with ease. Sit in a comfortable posture, with the spine straight.
Keeping the breath gentle and rhythmic, gaze steadily with complete attention at the flame,. One can also chant the Guru mantra in rhythm with the breath. After gazing at the image, when the need to blink is felt close the eyes while retaining a mental image of the flame . Then proceed again with the eyes open.
 For the first week the practice can be done for 5 minutes at a time . As one grows more accustomed to the practice duration can be gradually increased.
Tratak Kriya has  psychic, psychological and physiological benefits . It greatly enhances focus, concentration, willpower and intuitive wisdom.

As an alternative for a flame, one may use an aesthetic, spiritually uplifting image, of a deity,guru , mantra,yantra or mandala. The following mandala is especially effective as the construction is such that it automatically draws the vision towards the center thus focusing energy towards the Bhrumadhya or Eye brow center

SAHASRARA SHIVA TATTVA