Third Eye Chakra is perhaps the most mystic and talked about energy center in the human/astral body. The third eye or “Ajna Chakra” lies on top of the spinal column and at the level of the eyebrows, hence the name eyebrow center. It is the sixth chakra from the base of the spine. The pineal gland is stimulated by meditating on the third eye chakra and thereby awaken many dormant abilities of the human brain. Let us now understand what makes the third eye chakra the most famed among the 7 chakras.

Third Eye/Ajna Chakra: The higher Center

The name of the chakra comes from the Sanskrit root word Ajna, which means “To know, to obey or to follow”.  Third eye chakra is located at the top of the spinal cord, at the same level as the eyebrow center. The pineal gland is the physical counterpart of the chakra in the physical body. Initially, it is difficult to focus directly on the third eye chakra. Hence, we make use of the trigger point known as Kshetram. Every chakra has a Kshetram, a point in the physical body where it is easier to focus our attention at the beginning than the actual location of the chakra. Kshetram or the trigger point for the third eye stimulation is the center of the eyebrow. 

The third eye chakra is the balancing point between our spiritual and material life. The functioning of the higher mind takes places through ajna chakra. The ordinary mind needs proof and knowledge from the books. With an awakened ajna chakra, we know everything there is to know by intuition, a higher knowledge dawns on us. There is clarity in every thought and a lot of our perception changes. Therefore, the third eye chakra is also called the intuition center, call it the sixth sense of the mind. The ancient knowledge was all perceived through the ajna center.

Today science is finally catching up and proving what has already been documented thousands of years ago in various ancient texts. Science gets its perceptions from experiments conducted in Indian laboratories. The ajna chakra is able to access knowledge through intuition and actual experience in various states of higher consciousness. Science needs proof that can be read by an instrument, so far there hasn’t been any such advanced inventions.

The mind is by far the best instrument known to mankind. But just like any other instrument, there can be defects in the mind. Therefore,  the mind first needs to be finetuned, tamed and awakened to be able to perform at its best. Thus, with an awakened ajna chakra you gain knowledge without the senses nor an external instrument. An Awakened third eye results in an awakened mind, the wavering of the mind disappears with higher perception. 

Ajna is the witnessing center where one becomes the detached observer of all events, including those within the body and mind. Here the level of awareness is developed whereby one begins to ‘see’ the hidden essence underlying all visible appearances. When ajna is awakened, the meaning and significance of symbols flashes into one’s conscious perception and intuitive knowledge arise effortlessly. This is the center of extrasensory perception where various siddhis manifest according to one’s samskaras or mental tendencies. ~ Kundalini Tantra, Swami Satyananda Saraswati

Third Eye Chakra Symbology 

Historically the third eye Chakra is symbolized by an eye in the center of the eyebrows/forehead. Different cultures use different symbology, however, they all represent the same truth. According to the Indian scriptures, the ajna chakra is in the form of a two-petalled lotus. These petals represent the two psychic energy channels in the spine, Ida and Pingala Nadi. Ajna chakra is also the point where the three major nadis (energy channels) merge – Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna.

Nadis and Chakra Petals 

According to the ancient texts, the human body contains 72000 Nadis or energy channels running throughout the body.  The petals are a formation of a number of these nadis emerging from the center of the chakra, this gives it an appearance of a petal. The vibration that is produced from the nadis is represented by the two Sanskrit letters Ham and Ksham on the two petals of the third eye chakra. It is interesting to note that the 50 letters of Sanskrit alphabets are on the 50 petals of the first 6 chakras.

1. Root/Muladhara Chakra- 4 petals.
2. Sacral/Svadhishthana Chakra- 6 petals.
3. Solar Plexus/Manipura Chakra- 10 petals.
4. Heart/Anahata Chakra- 12 petals.
5. Throat/ Vishuddha Chakra- 16 petals.
6. Third Eye/Ajna Chakra- 2 petals.

Sanskrit is called the language of Gods because of its highly versatile nature and is even being used by Scientist in NASA. Read more about the origin of Sanskrit letters.

Pineal Gland and Third Eye Chakra

The actual location of the ajna chakra is located inside the brain at a point directly behind the eyebrow center. Exactly where Pineal Gland is situated. Therefore the pineal gland is the physical counterpart of the third eye chakra in the physical plane. As we grow older the functions of the pineal gland deteriorate, and many of the functions lie dormant.

Activation of the third eye chakra aims at stimulating the pineal gland and its functions. An awakened Third eye activates the centers of the brain which lie dormant in a normal individual. Thus we unlock new gates of consciousness and higher knowledge.

Third Eye Activation Technique

There are various Meditation techniques to activate/open the Ajna or Third Eye Chakra. However, only gradual steady practice with regularity will yield results. Stage 1 is the preliminary or foundation method where you first learn to still the mind before commencing with the actual practice of third eye meditation.

Foundation Meditation technique is to be practiced before commencing any form of meditation as it forms the foundation of all meditation techniques. Therefore it is considered the first step towards experiencing Meditation. The aim of this technique is to induce psychic rigidity in the body, this happens with an increased conscious awareness of the body, after which you no longer would be able to feel the body. Thus enabling you to focus your Awareness within. After which the awareness is shifted to the breath as you are no longer conscious of your body. Soon you are left with just awareness. At this stage, the mind and body are ready to take up meditation.

An in-depth and complete version of the foundation technique with 5 stages of guided meditation can be found here: 5 Guided Meditation Script.

Preliminary Foundation Technique 

1. Take a comfortable posture for meditation. Preferably Padmasana or Siddhasana. If you find it difficult to assume these postures you sit on a chair or meditation pillow.
2. Close your eyes. Bring Awareness to your whole body.
3. Observe the stillness. Take time to feel your whole body, perfectly still as a rock. Imagine yourself to be completely still & unmovable.
4. Awareness of breath. Simply observe the breath, as the awareness of the breath increases, the breathing slows down. The state of relaxation effects the rate of inhalation and exhalation.
5. Breath Control. Inhale and exhale for 5 counts. Breath flow should be slow and steady. There should not be any sudden pull or push of breath. You must adjust the rate of inhalation and exhalation such that there is no need in between to gasp for breath.
6. One set of inhalation and exhalation is one round  (5 counts of inhalation and 5 counts of exhalation). Do such 20 rounds
7. Slowly bring awareness of the surrounding, open your eyes.

PS: Step 3 Awareness of the stillness – The theory is that if the body is still and you are aware of its stillness. The mind associates itself with this stillness and stills down. Step 7 is to be omitted while using this technique as a preliminary technique and continue with the main technique.

The Third Eye Breath Technique

The following technique is to be practiced following the previous technique for best results. This technique uses the breath as a medium of awareness to flow the mind’s concentration to the center of the eyebrow or the third eye center. Note that this technique is about awareness of breath in alternate nostrils psychicrally and doesn’t require you to close your nostril physically.

Left to Right Breathing: Image 1

1. Inhale with awareness of breath through the left nostril. Feel the whole awareness move along with the breath through the left nostril wall to the eyebrow center.
2. Now hold the breath for a few seconds comfortably with awareness of the eyebrow center. Feel the awareness and the breath (prana) being absorbed at the center of the eyebrow.
3. Exhale with awareness of breath through the right nostril. Feel the whole awareness move from the center of the eyebrow to the end of the right nostril.

Right to Left Breathing: Image 2

1. Inhale with awareness of breath through the right nostril. Feel the whole awareness move along with the breath through the right nostril wall to the eyebrow center.
2. Now hold the breath for a few seconds comfortably with awareness of the eyebrow center. Feel the awareness and the breath (prana) being absorbed at the center of the eyebrow.
3. Exhale with awareness of breath through the left nostril. Feel the whole awareness move along with the breath through the left nostril wall to the eyebrow center.

Image 1 and 2 constitute one round. Do such 4 rounds and then breathe in with awareness in both the nostrils. Do a total of 50 rounds, make sure you keep track of the count and in case you miss a count, start all over again. It is very important to keep counting the rounds as it helps you remain aware consciously. Awareness is the key, do not perform this exercise unconsciously. This is a powerful exercise to stimulate the third eye chakra, and therefore must be performed with caution and never overexert yourself.

Step 2 can be omitted for a beginner who has no prior practice with breathing techniques. You can also use a mantra along with this technique and combine it with the breath awareness. Thus amplifying the total awareness focused on the eyebrow center.