What’s the Third Eye? Science + Spirituality of the Third Eye Chakra

Located instantly within the heart of your brow simply above the house between your eyebrows is the third eye chakra. Referred to as ajna in Sanskrit, this power heart is named the seat of inside knowledge, instinct, and self-realization.

You might need heard yoga or meditation academics reference the third eye as a focus for focus throughout your follow. However what’s your third eye?

How do you open and activate this chakra for deeper self-awareness and a higher sense of notion in your on a regular basis life?

Right here we’ll delve into all of the historic, scientific, and non secular particulars of the third eye chakra, plus how one can work to open your third eye for higher instinct.

What are Chakras? A Temporary Overview

You could be acquainted with the seven chakras or “wheels” of power positioned within the physique. Conventional yoga methods search to open and align these energetic facilities utilizing sure asanas (yoga poses), meditations, mudras (hand gestures), and different methods.

Science, spirituality, and mysticism are all interwoven within the advanced idea of chakras. First talked about in historic Tantric and Vedic texts some 3,000 years in the past, these whirlpools of vitality are related to particular organ techniques and nervous system meridians.

The seven chakras start on the base of the backbone and lengthen upwards towards the highest of your head. They’re:

1. Root Chakra (Muladhara)
2. Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)
3. Photo voltaic Plexus Chakra (Manipura)
4. Coronary heart Chakra (Anahata)
5. Throat Chakra (Vishuddha)
6. Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
7. Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)

Chakras are necessary yogic symbols of power circulate and connectedness. When blocked or unbalanced, every chakra has associations with bodily illnesses, emotional signs, and delicate energies that have an effect on our mind-body-soul connection.

Right here we’ll uncover the specifics of the sixth chakra, ajna or the third eye, and discover unblock it.

What’s the Third Eye Chakra?

The third eye chakra is the sixth chakra that can also be correlated with the sixth sense. Situated within the heart of the brow simply above the house between your eyebrows, this chakra is the hub of instinct and non secular consciousness. It’s also linked to creativeness, notion, and a imaginative and prescient for the “greater image” of your life and the world at giant.

In Sanskrit, the ajna chakra means “understand”, “command” or “past knowledge”. In response to Hindu custom, your third eye is the important thing channel to connecting to the unconscious thoughts and instantly linking to Brahman, God, or common forces.

In historic yogic teachings, the third eye is the realm of the human physique the place non secular knowledge and unconscious forces can circulate freely past the realm of the bodily world. It’s represented by the colour indigo and linked to purple meals, amethyst and black obsidian stones, and the ingredient of sunshine.

Third Eye Chakra Overview

• Location: Brow, between the bodily eyes
• Associations: Creativeness, knowledge, spirituality, instinct, notion, sight, inspiration
• Organs: Pineal gland and pituitary gland
• Mantra: “I see” or “SHAM”
• Coloration: Purple or darkish blue
• Factor: Mild
• Stones: Amethyst, black obsidian, citrin, celestite, fluorite, labradorite 
• Meals: Blueberries, cacao, purple cabbage, eggplant, grapes
• Important Oils: Patchouli, citrus, frankincense, juniper, marjoram

Science of the Third Eye Chakra

Whereas lots of the vocabulary surrounding the third eye chakra makes it look like solely a non secular idea, the third eye is in truth intently associated to the pineal gland and pituitary gland. Physiologically, these are the mind organs that govern our imaginative and prescient, wellbeing and relationship to the non secular realm.

The Pineal Gland

First recognized by Galen of Pergamon in 200 BC, the pineal gland is a pea-shaped gland positioned within the heart of the mind. Within the late 1500s, French thinker referred to as the pineal gland “the seat of the soul” based mostly on its obvious psycho-physiological features.

A variety of peer reviewed research have since found that the pineal gland regulates key hormones associated to the physique’s responses to gentle. Nonetheless, a lot stays unknown concerning the operate of this mysterious a part of the mammalian mind.

Mild and the Third Eye Chakra

The pineal gland can also be the a part of the mind liable for releasing serotonin and melatonin. These hormones are important for regulating our circadian rhythms (sleep patterns), which have been primally based mostly on sunshine and moonlight. Mild is the core ingredient related to the third eye chakra.

As know-how and microscopy have developed, even scientists have begun to name the pineal gland the “third eye” as a result of it’s a core part of the three-part photo-neuro-endocrine system, in different phrases, the physique elements that regulate our precise imaginative and prescient:

1. Retina (bodily eye)
2. Central nervous system
3. The pineal gland

No marvel the third eye chakra is so intricately linked with each odd sight and non secular imaginative and prescient! The crown chakra additionally has many associations with the pineal gland.

The Pituitary Gland

The opposite key organ linked to the third eye is named the pituitary gland. Just like the pineal gland, the pituitary can also be pea-shaped. This gland is definitely bodily nearer to the third eye chakra on the entrance base area of the mind, inward from the bodily eyes.

Biologically, the pituitary is a “grasp gland” that regulates the hormonal secretions of a lot of the endocrine system. Energetically, the pituitary is linked to the third eye chakra as a result of each are wanted to create stability and governance of the entire chakra system.

Third Eye in Historical past and Faith

The pineal gland and third eye symbolism have appeared in cultures all over the world, relationship all the way in which again to historic Egypt and historic India.

Third Eye in Historic Egypt

The Egyptian Eye of Horus might be discovered carved in tombs and Egyptian artifacts relationship again 1000’s of years.

This iconic eye symbolizes rebirth, safety, therapeutic, and rejuvenation. It has additionally been referred to as the “all seeing eye” or the “third eye”.

This mythological image has 6 key elements that, when superimposed on a picture of the human mind, are instantly correlated with explicit elements of the mind that regulate the 5 senses. Some mythology additionally asserts that these are the mind areas obligatory for the achievement of non secular enlightenment.

Scientists and historians have lengthy marveled on the historic Egyptians’ mastery of science, engineering, and arithmetic, however via the third eye we are able to additionally see the ingenuity of historic Egyptian’s understanding of human anatomy and spirituality as effectively.

In relation to the third eye chakra, we are able to see that non secular mysticism round this “inside eye” has captivated humanity for millennia.

Third Eye in Buddhism

The traditional Indian therapeutic system of Ayurveda is intricately linked with Buddhist beliefs and perceptions concerning the third eye. You’ll discover a 3rd eye or “knowledge eye” positioned on the brow of sacred Buddhist work and statues. This symbolizes that the third eye chakra is open and channeling increased consciousness to help in ending the struggling of humanity.

Buddhists seek advice from ajna because the “eye of consciousness” which represents a vantage level far past bodily sight. It’s a reminder to see the world with the thoughts and with the soul slightly than solely the bodily physique.

Third Eye in Hinduism

The third eye chakra can also be depicted as a dot on the forehead heart of Hindu deities reminiscent of Lord Shiva. In Hindu traditions, the third eye is named urna.

It’s thought that Shiva’s proper eye is the solar, the left eye is the moon, and the third eye refers to his capacity to see previous the obvious actuality and defend believers from evil.

Indicators of a Blocked Third Eye Chakra

No matter your spiritual or non secular perception system, the paranormal third eye is undeniably a doorway to psychic and unconscious realms. In yoga, chakra blockages or imbalances are brought on by stagnant power in sure areas of the physique. A scarcity of connection to thoughts’s eye can result in quite a few signs of a blocked ajna chakra.

Bodily Manifestations of a Blocked Third Eye Chakra:

• Issues with eyesight
• Poor imaginative and prescient
• Migraine
• Sciatica
• Seizures
• Sinus issues

Emotional and Non secular Manifestations of a Blocked Third Eye Chakra:

• Feeling “caught within the grind”
• Confusion about life
• Lack of function
• Lack of focus
• Pessimism
• Rejection of non secular beliefs
• Problem seeing a “higher imaginative and prescient” of life
• A intestine feeling that one thing simply isn’t proper

The way to Open the Third Eye Chakra

An open third eye is looks like a free-flowing of non secular knowledge, insights, and a bigger optimistic imaginative and prescient on your life or the world. Unblocking this chakra usually results in main breakthroughs and psychological readability, together with:

• A way of bliss
• Perception
• Extra decisiveness
• Instinct
• Creativity
• A clearer sense of self expression
• Hope and pleasure for the long run

Meditation

The third eye is a key point of interest in meditation and yoga. Along with your eyes closed, you’ll be able to direct your inside imaginative and prescient towards the purpose between your eyebrows.

Repeating particular affirmations and mantras could also be useful in unblocking the ajna chakra. Visualize a deep purple-indigo gentle whereas meditating and repeating one among these mantras:

• “AUM” or “OM”: The primordial sound of the universe can also be the seed syllable (or Bija) for the third eye chakra. Repeating this chant will help you transcend your human physique and launch detrimental power to permit for extra non secular imaginative and prescient.
• “I belief myself and I belief the Universe”
• “I see the sweetness in all issues”
• “I’m clever”
• “I belief my instinct”
• “I’m in concord with all of existence”

Journaling

As a result of the third eye is so intricately linked with the unconscious dream world, holding a dream journal is usually a highly effective solution to open your third eye.

Journal prompts and inquiries to discover embody:

• When is the final time I trusted my intestine feeling about one thing? Was I proper?
• Do I belief my instinct?
• When did I ignore my instinct and want I had adopted it? What did I be taught?
• What’s holding me again from taking a leap out of my consolation zone? Is concern defending or hindering me?
• If I may dwell my wildest goals, what would a single step towards that actuality seem like?
• How do I take advantage of my creativeness? Was my creativeness and creativity inspired or discouraged as a child?

Respiration Methods

Pranayama respiratory is scientifically confirmed to calm the nervous system, scale back stress, and enhance your psychological well being. It may well additionally assist rebalance the third eye chakra by bringing you into the current second and refocusing your power on the world past your bodily actuality.

Do that respiratory train to activate the third eye:

• Sit comfortably in a quiet place along with your backbone straight
• Inhale an extended gradual breath via your nostril
• Think about holding the breath on the prime within the house between your eyebrows
• Barely open your jaw to create an area between your tooth and gently place the tip of your tongue there
• Put a light-weight strain on the tongue along with your tooth
• As you slowly exhale your breath, make a “THHOOOH” sound whereas permitting your tongue to barely vibrate
• Really feel the tone vibration in your third eye
• Repeat for five inhales and 5 exhales

Use Important Oils

Scents like patchoui, citrus, jasmine, frankincense, juniper, lavender, and marjoram are all identified to activate the third eye chakra.

You should utilize these in a diffuser throughout your yoga or meditation follow, or infuse them in a service oil to rub in your physique. Do not forget that important oils might be very robust and concentrated, so dilute accordingly.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga is a type of yoga that may be very centered on uncoiling the power on the base of our spines and channeling it upward. This intense follow combines asana (bodily yoga poses), breathwork, and chanting.

In Kundalini yoga, the third eye chakra is especially highly effective for activating your shakti power and permitting you to maneuver previous your ego and develop your non secular consciousness.

Do that kundalini yoga circulate to assist open your third eye:

Observe Yoga Open air

Recall that the “third eye” pineal gland regulates our sleep cycles.

There may be vital proof that synthetic indoor lighting (reminiscent of blue gentle from the screens we stare at) negatively impacts our mind’s gentle cycles and circadian rhythms, which might be contributing to the worldwide “sleep epidemic” of contemporary instances.

Mainly, synthetic gentle can result in extra third eye blockages.

Opening the third eye and restoring correct pineal gland operate requires a reconnection with nature and daylight. This is the reason one among our favourite locations to follow yoga is outdoor.

Yoga Poses for the Third Eye Activation

Final however definitely not least, there are some key yoga poses related to opening the ajna chakra. Some contain inserting the brow on the bottom, whereas others channel power into that space.

Eagle Pose (Garudasana)

Dolphin Pose (Catur Svanasana)

Baby’s Pose (Balasana)

Forearm Stand (Pincha Mayurasana)

Downward Dealing with Canine (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Closing Ideas

Your third eye chakra is a window to your soul and deeper that means in life. Opening your third eye received’t occur in a single day, however it’s a worthwhile follow for increasing your consciousness and delving deeper into your yoga journey.