Why is meditation so difficult?

[Ming the Merciful]

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Gazing takes me into a very clear state of awareness. 

Only in the very beginning stages is tratak at an object, and even when the attention is being directed at an object its purpose is simply to hold the attention still. So the attention is more on stilling the attention, than the object. - which will disintegrate as the practice culminates. In this higher form it is called "drishti" true seeing. So, tratak guides the practice from dharana ( contemplation, concentration ) into dhyana ( absorption, meditation ). 

The gazing practices are all very good.. if you have a challenging time with more traditional type silent sits, and even if you don't, this practice has its purpose. 

You can choose:

Bindu gazing *gazing at any object
Eye gazing *either with another person, or 3rd eye gazing
Mirror gazing
Candle flame gazing
Window gazing

Windows are gateways, thresholds between one space and another space. The visual metaphor of the window does work a unique sort of magic. 

It offers a unique set of opportunities. Maybe try it and see what happens.

A window with a view tends to be most effective.

An open sky is what I like.
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Another technique I was taught which could be useful, is something matt black. That is better than windows or mirrors because it is a point of focus. It is also used in Scrying, (Magic Mirror). In the days of Polaroid cameras, it was once possible to take a blank photograph, leaving a black image on the cardboard that would had been the image. Anything that can be held easily, or placed somewhere in matt black is useable. The technique is to stare into the blackness of the object, and feel the image emerge in Sub-Conscious or Intuitive Mind. Once again, I would use Still Mind.