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What is the third eye?
The normal two eyes can see any physical objects but the third eye refers to that watching capability within us which can even see the non-physical. Even though our thoughts and emotions are non-physical in nature but still we are able to observe them. This aspect within us is figuratively referred to as the third eye, the eye of awareness.
Origin of the word third-eye
The word the third eye originates from Tryambakam which means “the three-eyed one” or “possessor of the third eye”. This word is sometimes used to describe Shiva who has achieved the highest level of awareness and can observe/ see the subtlest of things (thoughts, emotions, energy, chitta, etc).
Figuratively a person with an open third eye means that they have become very aware. They can observe very subtle things within themselves and others. Their intellect is highly evolved.
How to open my third eye?
The third eye is closely related to the intellect (buddhi) whose quality is sharpness (tez). A sharp intellect can cut through wrong ideas and conclusions to find out the truth. We attribute our intelligence to the brain, similarly, our intellect can be increased by focusing on certain parts of the brain.
According to the Yogic culture this third eye is placed in between the eyebrows and can be opened by concentrating/ focussing on this point. Opening the third eye here means increasing awareness and intellect.
The third eye in the chakra system
You might have heard many phrases like “butterflies in the stomach” (related to nervousness, anxiety, or excitement), “I nearly shit my pants” (related to fear, surprise), and “gut instinct” (a feeling of being sure about something). In Yoga, the areas of the body where you feel these emotions are called chakra.
Chakras are energetic centers in the body and there are several chakras in our body, out of these there are 7 main chakras. The third eye corresponds to the Agya (Ajana) chakra.
Ajana (agya) in Sanskrit means to order or command. The position of the agya chakra is around the same location as the pituitary gland, and like the pituitary gland controlling many other endocrine glands, Agya chakra is also the command/ control center of other chakras. You can understand this control as being able to watch the emotions (anger, fear, etc) and not get entangled in them, the anger within might suggest you harm another person (physically or emotionally) but the third eye can watch over this and can take a conscious decision.
How does third-eye meditation work?
By focusing on the eyebrow center (third eye) you are training your mind for concentration. Generally, we are entangled in our thoughts and emotions which doesn’t let our attention enter our deeper levels. Concentration on the third eye helps you calm down the surface (wave) so that you can easily see the bottom of the lake. From this vantage point, you can see things clearly and find out the real reasons for your anger, fear, anxiety, trauma, etc. With more practice, you tame the mind and the “third eye opens”.
Should I practice third-eye meditation?
Third-eye meditation is one of the most common meditations (but might not be the one that works for everyone). As different chakras are related to different aspects of life similarly the Third eye is related to the intellect, generally depicted as a sharp sword the pure intellect dissects through any ideas we have created and tries to understand it the way it is, it removes the conflict created by the opposites and brings us to the middle way. Once the third eye “opens up” it helps us to see and resolve the tornado that arises within because of our fear, anger, ego, anxiety, etc.
Sometimes at the beginning when you start the third-eye meditation then some energetic pressure does build up around the head area which can feel like a mild headache. In those times try to bring the energy to the lower part of the body by focusing on the lower chakras. It is always advised to learn this meditation with the help of an experienced instructor and discuss with them in detail what to expect.