Ajna - The Third Eye Chakra
- Leila Knight
- Jul 2, 2015
- 5 min read
Indigo is the colour most often associated with ajna. Some schools of thought relate the pituitary gland to the sixth chakra, as its physical location is the next in line above the thyroid. Other schools believe that the pineal gland relates to the sixth chakra. Their reason for this is that the pineal gland is a light sensitive organ and the pituitary gland controls the other glands and thus relates to the seventh chakra.
Light, colour, seeing, imagination, intuition and clairvoyance are also related to Ajna. Transcending of the separate self and identity, which are created in the second and third chakras, occurs in this chakra. Donna Eden states that one can transcend the life of the body by travelling into the future, the past, the imagined and the possible. One can also transcend their usual identity by gaining access to a psychic plane that crosses the dimension of space and time. It further refines our sensitivity to more subtle energies.
As with sound, light too affects matter as a vibration. Light is the element relating to this chakra. It is a higher, faster vibration than sound is. It contains a vast spectrum of wave forms such as UV radiation, radio waves, x-rays and microwaves. Light travels at 186 000 miles/second, or 299 792 458 metres/second - the fastest known speed of any material phenomenon. It is stepping further away from the physical limitations of time and space, transcending our sense of time.
The essence and function of this chakra is the gift of seeing - both inner and outer sight. Seeing instantaneously brings enormous amounts of information about one's surroundings. Dreams are another form of sight and connect our soul through the unconscious and we are guided through our lives by intuition.
The “way of the third eye” is seeing everything as it is from a point of “witness” or “observer”, or simply being mindful of each moment. We are then able to examine self-limiting ideas and develop wisdom that comes from a perspective that transcends the duality of good or bad, black or white. We are able to see and help others to see the deeper meanings of the situations in their lives.
A person whose third eye chakra is blocked may have the following symptoms, which include but are not limited to: insomnia, migraines, eye problems, dizziness, sinusitis, high blood pressure, depression, fear of truth and panic.
It is important to have all the chakras in balance with one another - if this chakra has expanded out of proportion, the person will blame everything that happens of a negative nature on someone or something else. They will always be the victim.
If ajna is underactive, the person will have trouble trusting their inner voice and lack intuition. They can be quite superstitious and afraid of anything that can’t be explained by logic. They tend to procrastinate a lot about plans that have been made and struggle to make a decision or know what they want. This can also lead to depression or drug use.
If ajna is overactive, the person tends to be quite spaced out and has trouble being practical in their daily life. This person is not attached to or aware of the world. They are out of touch with both themselves, and with the world.
The purpose of this chakra is to open to wisdom – to learn from what we do, hear and say. By putting our thoughts and ideas into action and creating reality from thought, we will be working on opening Ajna in our daily lives.
When the third eye is balanced, we are able to see ourselves and others as interconnected energetic and spiritual beings. We are able to self-reflect. We create our own reality by using the imagination, freedom of choice and enhanced insight. It is important however, to keep the ego out of these choices – to stay humble. When ajna is open, one doesn’t hold onto resentment, but forgives.
Forgiveness is the power to let go of anger, hatred and resentment. It is the one that dissolves the ego, the conditionings, habits, false ideas and misidentifications. It is the narrow gate which opens the way for our consciousness to ascend to its final destination – the Crown chakra.
Colour can be used in healing the chakras, and the physical, emotional and spiritual bodies. One can use the associated colours of a particular chakra as a meditation device. Observe what colours you tend to surround yourself with - in the clothing you wear and your home decor. We can choose colours that balance the chakras we feel are weakest.
You may also want to try the Mandala Meditation, by Bhagwan Shree Razneesh – it takes a total of 1 hour – 15 minutes for each stage:
1st stage: With open eyes, run on the spot, bringing the knees up as high as possible. Breathe deeply and evenly. This will move the energy within.
2nd stage: With eyes closed and mouth loose and open, sway gently. This will bring the awakened energies to the navel.
3rd stage: Lie back and rotate your eyes in a clockwise direction. Sweep them fully round in the sockets as fast as possible. The mouth should be relaxed and open, head perfectly still and the breathing soft and gentle. This will bring your centred energies to the third eye.
4th stage: Close the eyes and be still.
If you don’t have the luxury of time, try this shorter exercise by Ken Page. It can be done almost anywhere.
Begin by sitting on the edge of a strong chair with your spine straight and head erect.
Place your feet together and pull them back until they are directly below your spine.
Raise your heels so your feet are resting on your toes, and begin bouncing your feet up and down, keeping your toes on the floor.
Let your arms hang straight down the sides of your body, open your fingers and gently shake your arms and hands.
This posture allows life force energy to flow in your body.
In order to see the colour of energy (for example, someone’s aura), hear guidance from another plane or be in telepathic rapport with others, one needs to have an open third eye. When you see through the third eye, you view life without judgement, expectation or any filters from your past. You see the bigger picture.
One can practise opening the third eye by placing the middle finger at the bridge of the nose and push up a couple of inches whilst breathing deeply and imagining that the lid is opening. Next, imagine that the light is travelling up from the root chakra, up the spine and passing through the rest of the chakras until it reaches the third eye. Here it bends and shoots out the third eye like a laser beam. With practise, the third eye can become an increasingly reliable source of information.
The mantra for ajna is "ohm".
Affirmations that you can try include:
I am in touch with my inner guidance. I listen to my deepest wisdom. I seek to understand and to learn from my life experiences. I am wise, intuitive, and connected with my inner guide. I trust my intuition. I forgive the past and learn what was there for me to learn. I forgive myself. I love and accept myself. I am connected with the wisdom of the universe. I am open to inspiration and bliss.
You can find the link for Stephanie Snyder’s Third Eye Chakra tune up here:
Sources: http://www.yogajournal.com/yoga-101/chakratuneup2015-intro-ajna/ ; http://www.allgoodthings.com/yoga/chakra/chakra6_3.html ; http://www.chakra-anatomy.com/third-eye-chakra.html ; http://fractalenlightenment.com/18337/spirituality/kundalini-rising-part-6-ajna-the-third-eye-chakra ; https://mychakras.wordpress.com/2008/05/27/sixth-chakra-third-eye-chakra-ajna-chakra/ ; Wheels of Life by Anodea Judith; Energy Medicine by Donna Eden
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