Moongazing: Beginner’s guide to exploring the Moon

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The impression may start to disappear after a few moments. Open your eyes and gaze at the moon again. You have just completed one cycle. The moon, like a flower in Heaven’s high bower, with silent delight, sits and smiles on the night.” – William Blake

Moon Traatak may seem like a simple Yoga exercise. But when we consider the Vedic Astrological angle to this exercise, we get to know that it’s a beneficial technique to reduce anxiety. Moon being a significator of our mind in Vedic Astrology, doing this exercise will help you strengthen this planet and reap its benefit. Even if you may not believe in astrology, this technique will surely reduce your anxiety levels, as you will be able to focus on the moon, absorb its light and enjoy the soothing experience to reduce your anxiety levels.

4. Vipassana meditation

than practicing it indoors. Researchers noted that exposure to nature can help reduce the tendency for the mind to wander, allowing you to stay more present and aware throughout the practice. If you can’t get outside, find a window that lets you see the moon. Turn off any other lights so moonlight becomes the only source of illumination. Practicing trataka before bed can help to center the mind after a day full of variants. Trataka is so much more calming and preparatory to sleep than reading a book or watching television and it takes only a few minutes.

Set your gaze on the object, and keep it there without blinking and without letting your eyes move. After 1 to 3 minutes, your eyes will be tired or tears may be coming. Then close your eyes for a few minutes, and gaze at the afterimage of that object in your mind, if you can see it. When you are ready, open your eyes and go for another round. At the end of your practice, gently wash your eyes with cold water. Gaze at the moon without blinking for as long as you can. Imagine the moon as an experience happening inside of you. Ultimately, that is exactly what it is anyway. Practicing trataka takes only 5-15 minutes per day, gazing into the moon or any other still pointed object. Begin by staring, without blinking until the eyes begin to water, at your object of choice; then continue to concentrate on the after image behind closed eyes in the same manner until it disappears. Repeat this formula several rounds, adding an internal mantra such as ‘OM’ if desired. End by splashing the eyes with cold water and stretching the body. In classical Greece, the philosophers practiced navel-gazing (omphaloskepsis), as an aid to contemplation of basic principles of the cosmos and human nature.Experience of the lunar cycles: By observing the moon’s phases, and actually interacting with them in this way, you can gain a deeper understanding of the lunar cycles and how they relate to your own life.

The Yogic exercises if done regularly can do miracles. They make you a calm and composed person. With simple exercises like the Moon Gazing, one can reap numerous benefits. It takes nothing to sit in a relaxed posture and gaze at the moon for a few minutes. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Q1.How does moon gazing affect sleep patterns? The benefits: A 2020 review found that participating in sound bath meditations with Tibetan singing bowls appears to help reduce anger, tension, and distress — as well as improve blood pressure. Bell R, et al. (2016). Dark nature: Exploring potential benefits of nocturnal nature-based interaction for human and environmental health. In all forms of trataka, you can integrate breath awareness or the repetition of a mantra if you find it helpful, although it’s not commonly taught this way. According to Brognano, this practice can increase self-awareness. As you come face to face with yourself, noticing any thoughts and emotions that come up may help offer some insight into hidden fears, insecurities, needs, and desires.To practice eyebrow center gazing, follow a similar procedure, with the difference that the tip of your finger should be level with your eyebrows. Vipassana meditation may also improve your focus and concentration and increase your self-awareness, says Andrea Brognano, a licensed mental health counselor with Choosing Therapy. Don’t strain your eyes. If you feel discomfort, then blink the eyes and continue the practice. But don’t move the pupils. Other two traditional practices of external trataka, and which don’t involve any object, are gazing at the tip of your nose (nasikagra drishti) or gazing at the space between the eyebrows (shambhavi mudra). The former induces calmeness and centeredness; the latter, alertness and expansion.