Q: I am trying to do trataka. I made a circle on my computer screen and am gazing at it. According to my understanding, I should be thoughtless while doing trataka but lot of thoughts come into my mind while gazing at the black dot. How can I stop these thoughts? Another thing is that can I play mahamrityunjaya mantra while doing trataka in the background or should mantra japa be done separately? Please give me your valuable advice.

A: Jayakrishna no.1: in trataka, the focus is definitely not on controlling your thoughts or making an effort to reduce the number of thoughts coming into your conscious mind. If you are using my suggested cd - the tratak album, then you should be very clear about the fact that before you begin the trataka & even at the time of trataka, your focus is more on the breath and elongating it. And second, focus is on the spot where you are fixing your gaze. So if you are doing these 2 things then but obviously, the flow of the thoughts would definitely recede.

But as such if thoughts are arising - why do you need to clear them or fight with your own thoughts or why argue that I am having thoughts? Just remain totally unbiased & watch the thoughts which are coming & if you don’t identify yourself with these thoughts, then the thoughts would just come & go like clouds.

Secondly, you can play maha mrityunjaya mantra in the back ground if you wish to do so. If that helps, it is fine, as long as you are giving time to yourself to evolve consciously; I am pleased with that.