look<\/em> at it.<\/p>\nFire meditation \u2014 the simple act of gazing at a flame in stillness and silence \u2014 takes that natural pull and makes it a little more deliberate, deepening its mind-calming and spirit-settling effects.<\/p>\n
Fire meditation is something you can plan to do at home or simply decide to do in the moment while sitting in a church service.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how.<\/p>\n
Why Do a Fire Meditation?<\/h2>\n
Everyone has heard that meditation is good for you. But it\u2019s a challenging practice to get into. It\u2019s hard to simply sit there, concentrating on your breath. Your thoughts wander, and your monkey mind gets loud.<\/p>\n
Fire meditation \u2014 also known as trataka<\/em> in yogic traditions \u2014 gives you something on which to fix your attention and anchor your awareness. Fire gives the mind something to do<\/em>.<\/p>\nFlame makes for an ideal focal point for a couple of reasons.<\/p>\n
First, it\u2019s constant but dynamic. It dances. It changes. It commands a kind of primal fascination without much effort. It holds your attention, but it doesn\u2019t interrupt it.<\/p>\n
Second, fire is imbued with elemental and spiritual meaning. It resonates with something ancient within. It\u2019s associated with purification, divine presence, and spirit.<\/p>\n
Put these two things together, and you\u2019ve got a meditation practice that is both accessible and evocative \u2014 especially in winter, when anything involving fire just feels particularly satisfying. <\/p>\n
How to Practice Fire Meditation<\/h2>\n
These guidelines will walk you through doing a fire meditation with a candle at home. But you can perform this ritual anywhere and with anything with a flame \u2014 kneeling by the votive candles in the back of a church, staring at the candles at the altar at the front, sitting by a campfire, or reclining by the fireplace.<\/p>\n
1. Set the Scene<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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