I have recently begun the practice of trataka meditations. It seems most powerful. I have read some things warning that the advanced forms are “dangerous” without the guidance of a teacher or guru. In the past couple of years, I have experienced what I can only describe as a rapid vertical growth trajectory. Given my past experience with sudden and extreme kundalini, I’m wondering what is meant by “dangerous” and if I should be concerned about this. While this whole opening and re-awakening thing is still pretty amazing, I don’t want to trigger another episode of the same confused, uncharacteristic and unexplainable personality behavior. Thanks for your advice.
Answer:
The basic Trataka meditation uses vision as the means for focusing attention, and it involves gazing at such as a flame, a symbol or a geometric pattern as a vehicle for consciousness to refine and expand. The practice you are doing now is safe. If you decide you want to move on to the advanced practices in the future, then you can do so under a teacher’s guidance where your readiness and the suitability of the practice for you can be evaluated. I don’t know what the nature of your previous experiences were, but if you have had lengthy uncomfortable Kundalini experiences that you could not control, then you should proceed cautiously and under good guidance.
As a rule meditation practices are certainly not dangerous for most people, but this kind of disclaimer or caution covers the rare case that something out of the ordinary happens. It’s similar to the notes at the bottom of a article or a DVD of some new exercise routine that tells you not to begin the exercises without first checking with your doctor. It’s there, not because the exercise is dangerous for most people, but because there will always be some individuals for whom that screening will be important.
Love,
Deepak
