The light within.

Before the era of electricity and screens, humanity gathered around the flame. It was instinctual, a luminous beacon in the darkness offering warmth, safety, and serenity. Today, we are drawn to candlelight not out of necessity, but from a deep-seated reasoning: emotion.

Modern science affirms what our ancestors intuitively understood. The gentle glow of candlelight mirrors the setting sun, signalling the body to relax. Research indicates that exposure to warm, low-intensity light can reduce cortisol levels and support emotional equilibrium (Jung et al., 2010; Bedrosian & Nelson, 2013). In contrast to the harsh blue light of our digital devices, the flicker of a candle provides a soothing balm for the overstimulated mind.

Beyond its physiological effects, candlelight holds profound spiritual significance. In ancient Indian traditions, the practice of Trataka, steady gazing at a flame, was performed to stimulate the pineal gland, a light-sensitive organ linked to circadian rhythms and melatonin production, and believed to enhance clairvoyant abilities. Engaging in such meditative gazing has been associated with enhanced mental clarity, creativity, and improved sleep quality.

Lighting a candle thus becomes more than a mere act; it is a ritual, a moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with oneself. It invites a sense of presence and mindfulness, transforming ordinary spaces into sanctuaries of peace.

Références

• Bedrosian, T. A., & Nelson, R. J. (2013). Timing of light exposure affects mood and brain circuits. Translational Psychiatry, 3(5), e282.

• Jung, C. M., Khalsa, S. B. S., Scheer, F. A. J. L., Cajochen, C., Lockley, S. W., Czeisler, C. A., & Wright, K. P. (2010). Acute effects of bright light exposure on cortisol levels. Chronobiology International, 27(9-10), 1609-1627.

• Kumar, R., Kumar, A., & Sardhara, J. (2018). Pineal Gland, A Spiritual Third Eye: An Odyssey of Antiquity to Modern Chronomedicine. Indian Journal of Neurosurgery, 7(1), 1-4.

• Lupine Publishers. (2021). Trataka, Benefits of Candle Gazing Techniques. Psychology and Behavioral Science International Journal, 17(2). Retrieved from https://lupinepublishers.com/psychology-behavioral-science-journal/fulltext/trataka-benefits-of-candle-gazing-techniques.ID.000225.php

• Vedic Health. (2017). Trataka: Opening the Third Eye. Retrieved from https://www.vedichealth.org/single-post/2017/05/09/trataka-opening-the-third-eye