As the title of the book "Trataka: A Concentrated Gazing Technique for Mystical Powers", suggests that it is a concentrated technique for gazing, without blinking the eyes, on an object to get a large number of benefits to the practitioner: physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Trataka is a science that has been explored and developed for thousands of years by sages, monks, ascetics, and ordinary practitioners to get these benefits leading to mystical powers, peace of mind, bliss, enlightenment, and samadhi. There can be many objects on which the trataka practice can be performed to achieve the desired outcome. These objects include Sun, Moon, Candle Flame, Fire, Mirror, Image of Guru, Deity, Thumb, Right Shoulder, Left Shoulder, the Nose tip, Gazing between the Eyebrows, Gazing on a Flower, Leaf Tree, Sea, River or Lake, etc.
Trataka cures diseases of the eyes such as eyestrain, astigmatism, and myopia. It enhances cognitive capabilities, memory power, improves pulse rate, blood pressure, etc. It develops clairvoyance, telepathy, as well as strong willpower and single-pointedness. Trataka leads one to a stage where shunyata or emptiness arises, and one becomes delightfully engrossed in the ultimate state of Cosmic Self, the transcendental reality.