The Eye Chakra 👀

The third eye chakra is the sixth chakra. Located on the forehead, between the eyebrows, it is the center of intuition and foresight. The function of the third eye chakra is driven by the principle of openness and imagination.

Third eye chakra meaning

The sixth chakra is referred to as:

• Third eye chakra
• Brow chakra
• Ajna chakra
• Bhru Madhya
• Dvidak Padma

The most common Sanskrit name for the Third eye chakra is “Ajna”, which means “command” and “perceiving”.

This chakra is related to the “supreme element”, which is the combination of all the elements in their pure form.

Yogic meaning of the 3rd eye chakra

In yogic metaphysics, the third eye or Ajna chakra, is the center where we transcend duality – the duality of a personal “I” separate from the rest of the world, of a personality that exists independently from everything else.

As Harish Johari says, “a yogi who has passed through the Vishuddha Chakra at the throat to the Ajna Chakra transcends the five elements and becomes freed (mukta) from the bondage of time-bound consciousness. This is where the I-consciousness is absorbed into super-consciousness.” (Harish Johari: Chakras: Energy Centres of Transformation).

Third eye chakra color

The third eye chakra is most commonly represented with the color purple or bluish purple. The auric color of third eye chakra energy can also be seen as translucent purple or bluish white.

Rather than by its color, it is characterized by the quality of its luminescence or soft radiance that reminds us of the moon light.

Third eye chakra symbol

The image of the Third Eye chakra symbol contains two elements frequently associated with wisdom: the upside down triangle and the lotus flower.

Third eye chakra location

The most commonly accepted location for the sixth chakra is between the eyebrows, slightly above at the bridge of your nose. Contrary to a common misconception, it is not located in the middle of the forehead, but between the eyes where the eyebrows would meet. It can also be described as being located behind the eyes in the middle of the head. Note that secondary chakras run along the midline of the forehead, but the third eye chakra is typically located lower.

The Third eye chakra is associated to the pineal gland in charge of regulating biorhythms, including sleep and wake time. It’s a gland located in the brain that is a center of attention because of its relationship with the perception and effect of light and altered or “mystical” states of consciousness. It’s positioned close to the optical nerves, and as such, sensitive to visual stimulations and changes in lighting.

Behavioral characteristics of the Third eye chakra

The third eye chakra is associated with the following psychological and behavioral characteristics:

• Vision
• Intuition
• Perception of subtle dimensions and movements of energy
• Psychic abilities related to clairvoyance and clairaudience especially
• Access to mystical states, illumination
• Connection to wisdom, insight
• Motivates inspiration and creativity

The third eye chakra is an instrument to perceive the more subtle qualities of reality. It goes beyond the more physical senses into the realm of subtle energies. Awakening your third eye allows you to open up to an intuitive sensibility and inner perception.

Because it connects us with a different way of seeing and perceiving, the third eye chakra’s images are often hard to describe verbally. It puts us in touch with the ineffable and the intangible more closely. Third eye visions are also often more subtle than regular visions: They may appear a bit “blurry”, ghost-like, cloudy, or dream-like. Sometimes however, the inner visions might be clear like a movie playing in front of your eyes.

Sustaining awareness of third eye chakra energy might require focus and the ability to relax into a different way of seeing. When we focus our mind and consciousness, we can see beyond the distractions and illusions that stand before us and have more insight to live and create more deeply aligned with our highest good.

The third eye chakra is associated with the archetypal dimensions, as well as the realm of spirits.

Third eye chakra imbalance

When the Third eye chakra has an imbalance, it can manifest as:

• Feeling stuck in the daily grind without being able to look beyond your problems and set a guiding vision for yourself
• Overactive third chakra without support from the rest of the chakra system may manifest as fantasies that appear more real than reality, indulgence in psychic fantasies and illusions
• Not being able to establish a vision for oneself and realize it
• Rejection of everything spiritual or beyond the usual
• Not being able to see the greater picture
• Lack of clarity

4 Proven strategies for awakening the third eye

First, we’re going to describe the most important guidelines that will help you develop your third eye.

1. Cultivate silence

Foster the silence of the mind, whether it’s through meditation, just sitting calmly in nature, or being absorbed in your favorite art or sport practice.

Why? Because third eye perception elevates your senses to more subtle levels. Some call it “the space in between”, psychic abilities, the realm of the invisible. To be able to listen to the messages and information that comes through your third eye, you should be ready to perceive the whisper of its wisdom. If your mind is busy or noisy, you might miss its main message.

2. Hone your intuition

There are many ways to cultivate your intuition. The third eye is the center of insight, vision, and higher wisdom. So what about getting acquainted with your dreams and their meanings, perhaps giving a try at lucid dreaming, getting to know how to read a horoscope or tarot cards? Find new ways to intuit into your daily life activities.

Why? Because the third eye is the main seat of higher levels of perception and intuition. One way to look at it can be “fake it until you make it.” In other words, be curious, learn about these intuitive techniques. In time, these otherwise esoteric practices will appear more familiar, and you will gain more confidence in your own abilities.

You don’t need to take this seriously – actually, the opposite is recommended. Have fun, explore, and most importantly, keep your mind and chakras open to possibility and wonder.

3. Nurture your creativity

Let your creativity flow freely by focusing on specific activities or letting your imagination loose. For instance, start learning a new art or craft; don’t try to be perfect, just let your inspiration run through your hands and be ready to be surprised by the results.

Why? Creativity is a very efficient way to loosen your rational mind – you know, the mental chatter that comments every step you make to see whether it’s right or wrong, that tends to control every action with a specific agenda and intended outcome.

When you calm the part of your mind that wants to be in charge of how reality should be and leverage your creativity to open up possibilities, your third eye capacity has more space to unfold and blossom.

4. Ground yourself to better soar

For most of us, it might not be obvious that in order to open our third eye abilities, we need to first land both our feet on the ground. Also note the importance of opening up gradually, building reliable foundations first that will allow you to have proper discernment and interpret your extrasensory perceptions with as much clarity as possible.

Why? Because we need to have enough energy running through our whole body and energetic system to support a healthy opening of subtle channels of perception. When the third eye gets activated, the information that comes through might appear rather unusual, unfamiliar, or simply disturbing to the common mind.

Being grounded and having enough energy allows us to expand into subtle dimensions of perception. It can help us open up unhindered and avoid the common negative symptoms of third eye opening, such as feeling disoriented or confused.

How to exercise your 3rd eye chakra

Let’s explore simple yet efficient exercises to support the opening of your 3rd eye. Here’s a list of practices that will give a boost to your intuitive energy center.

• Exercise your intuition; it’s the main function of the third eye
• Rest under the moon light and reflect; the moon light resembles the quality of light of your intuitive center
• Nurture silence to hear the wisdom of the third eye; listen, the 3rd eye’s sound is more like a whisper
• Strengthen the energy of your first chakra, as well as your throat chakra; both are useful anchors for unlocking the energy of your third eye in powerful and balanced ways
• Divination practices
• Dream work, dream interpretation, lucid dreaming
• Visualizations
• Guided meditation, silent meditation
• Let your imagination loose
• See, focus on the space “in between” things
• Be curious about symbolic meanings, symbols around you in different cultures and time periods
• Commune with nature and the energy of the elements
• Enjoy creative crafts
• Free flow
• Working with inner guidance, spirit guides
• Practice contemplation
• Cultivate your psychic abilities

Feel free to try and enjoy the exploration. It’s the best way to get energy flowing in the third eye after all.

How does the pineal gland impacts the awakening of the third eye?

Positioned between the brows and just above the eye level, the 3rd eye is associated with intuition and wisdom. In the human body, this energy center is traditionally associated with the pituitary gland, as well as the pineal gland.

Glands and chakras are intimately related as they represent different levels of bodily functions, the first one being focused on the physical, the other on the subtle energetic level. The pituitary gland is considered to be the “master gland” in the human body because it controls most of the other glands and their hormone production.

What about the pineal gland? The pineal gland is located in the middle of the brain, at the same level as the eyes. Its connection with the third eye chakra or Ajna in the Hindu system has long been investigated by yogic traditions and modern metaphysics alike. They view this gland as a possible seat of the soul and its development, a source for mystical experiences and extrasensory perception or psychic abilities.

This gland is usually considered to be in charge of producing melatonin and regulating our sleep cycle and our sexual maturation. The ways it functions is closely connected to the cycles of light and darkness.

To suport  your pineal gland and the awakening of your third eye, here’s what you can do:

• Go outside and get lots of natural light.
• Eat foods or supplements that support a healthy activity of the pineal gland (and counter its calcification), such as iodine, chlorella, apple cider, Tamarind fruit (as it helps remove excess of fluoride involved in decreased pineal activity).
• Meditate; meditation balances the activity of the nervous system and stimulates parts of the brain that help the pineal gland.
• Spend time in complete darkness, as it stimulates a healthy activity in the gland and production of its associated hormones.

Specific practices to activate the third eye chakra

A balanced and open third eye, also known as the Ajna, chakra fosters concentration, focus, and reliance on intuition. Here are more specific techniques for balancing its energy:

Just Breathe

Mindful breathing can calm the mind and, in turn, cleanse and open the Third Eye. Being conscious of your breathing not only allows for cleansing, but also balances the chakra system.

Add Third Eye Color

Associated with the color indigo, which is a combination of deepest blue and violet, the Third Eye chakra governs… Introduce blue and purple hues to your home and office decor. Surrounding yourself with subtle indigo tones can help heal the sixth chakra and boost energy flow. Add precious or semi-precious blue- and/or purple-stone jewelry to your wardrobe.

Practice third eye meditation

Of all the exercises you can do for the sixth chakra, those that require you to actually engage the Third Eye are the best.

Visualizing and meditating on the color blue or purple can help activate the sixth chakra. For instance, sit comfortably and with eyes closed, visualize a blue (or purple) ball of energy in the area of your Third Eye. Simply concentrating on and holding that image is enough to activate the sixth chakra. Concentrating on this image can not only open up the energy center, but it helps dispel imbalance and heal the chakra. There are many beneficial resources about chakra meditation online, so go explore!

Dream it

The Third Eye is crucial in dreaming and dream recall. Engage and activate your Third Eye chakra by keeping a dream journal.

Work your theta brainwaves

It could be useful to learn how to activate and maintain theta and alpha brainwaves. These foster frontal lobe activity and prepare your third eye and brain to be more receptive.

Add some scent

Introduce essential oils to your home, bath, and body. Subtle fragrances can work wonders for opening, cleansing, and balancing the body’s chakras. To help heal and activate your sixth chakra, consider trying one or a combination of these essential oils:

• Sandalwood
• Myrrh
• Roman or German Chamomile
• Grapefruit
• Nutmeg

Eat (and Drink) Fruits and Veggies

Consuming beverages and foods with natural blue and purple hues can help bolster positive energy flow through the Third Eye chakra. Drink dark fruit juices, such as grape and blackberry. Consider adding the following fruits and vegetables to your grocery list:

• black currants
• blueberries
• blackberries
• eggplant
• prunes
• rainbow chard
• beets

Yoga for the third eye chakra

When learning how to open and heal the body’s energy centers, no conversation is complete without introducing the benefits of yoga. The practice’s elements of breath, focus, and physical movement, when taken together, are great tools for cleansing and balancing the chakras.

To open and strengthen the Ajna chakra, give these yoga poses a try:

• Hero (Virasana)
• Standing Half Forward Bend (Ardha Uttanasana)
• Child’s Pose (Balasana)
• Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
• Supported Shoulderstand (Salamba Sarvangasana)

Share your ideas in the comments section below! We’d love to hear your favorite ways to open the energy of your third eye.

https://www.chakras.info/opening-third-eye/