Our 5 senses allow us to experience the world through seeing, smelling, hearing, tasting, and touching. But other individuals with a ˜sixth sense' (also called third eye) experience the world differently than others.
Someone with an activated sixth sense can perceive something is going to happen before it actually happens. Others dream of something then it becomes a reality. The sixth sense also imparts a person with a sharp intuition which makes them easily discern between right and wrong.
In the chakra system, this is called the third eye chakra (or brow chakra), the sixth energy centre in the body. Its Sanskrit name is ajna which translates to authority or command. This chakra sits at the center of your head, aligned with the space between your eyebrows.
Just as all of us are born with 7 chakras, all of us have a sixth sense. However, only a few people have an open and active third eye. So, how can one awaken their sixth sense?
Read on to know more about the third eye chakra and how you can tap into its energies.
The Nature and Purpose of the Third Eye Chakra
Colour and symbol
Indigo represents the sixth chakra, known as the colour of wisdom and knowledge. This colour promotes the transformation of the lower chakra energies into higher and deeper spiritual energies.
The sign of the ajna chakra consists of the sacred Hindu symbol Om inside an inverted triangle. The triangle is positioned inside a circle in between 2 lotus petals. The triangle and the lotus flower petals symbolize higher wisdom, intelligence, and spiritual enlightenment.
On the whole, the ajna chakra symbol represents the direction of a person's energy to universal knowledge to achieve higher consciousness.
Location
The third eye chakra is at the center of the head. According to Candice Covington (a certified aromatherapist and spiritual guru), this chakra is connected to the pineal gland, the tiny pine cone-shaped gland situated at the base of the skull.
Besides secreting the hormone melatonin and controlling our sleep-wake cycle, the pineal gland is said to be responsible for our supreme universal connection.
Studies suggest a link between the pineal gland and the chemical N, N-dimethyltriptamine which supposedly influences our consciousness. This is why the chemical is sometimes called the spiritual molecule.
Function
The third eye chakra is associated with:
- Concentration
- Clarity
- Intuition
- Imagination
- Universal connection
- Spiritual perception
For psychics and energy workers, the third eye is the doorway to the spiritual world. Activating and nurturing the third eye helps bridge the disconnect between the self and the spirit, says Covington.
In parapsychology (the study of unexplainable mental phenomena and paranormal claims), the third eye is the channel for spiritual communication. A person whose third eye is open is said to have the following psychic abilities:
- Clairvoyance - Ability to see the future and the things other people cannot see
- Telepathy - Communication of thoughts and feelings between people's minds without talking or writing
- Aura perception - The ability to interpret people's moods, feelings, and mental state through the colours of their energy field
- Lucid dreaming - A type of dream wherein a person is aware that they're dreaming while in a dream
- Astral projection - The departure of the spiritual body from the physical body while sleeping
However, due to various behaviours and circumstances that happen in our lives, our ajna chakra can become weak, obstructed, and imbalanced.
What Happens When the Third Eye Chakra Is Imbalanced?
According to Arhanta Yoga, the following factors contribute to third eye chakra imbalance:
- Excessive desire for material objects (this separates us from our true self)
- Impatience
- Past traumatic experiences
- Negative thoughts that block our vision
- Declining spirituality that dulls our intuition
Imbalance in the ajna chakra can manifest through these symptoms:
Physical
- Headache
- Migraine
- Eye problems
- Insomnia
- Hormonal imbalance
- Pineal, pituitary, and hypothalamus disorders
Mental
- Uncertainty/indecisiveness
- Confusion
- Pessimism
- Depression
- Cynicism
- Lack of purpose
- Self-doubt
- Self-limiting beliefs
- Mood disorders
If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, seek the help of a doctor or mental health professional right away.
Use Crystals to Open and Activate Your Third Eye Chakra
An active third eye chakra boosts your physical, mental, and spiritual well being. You're able to make good decisions with careful judgment and use your intuition to guide your decisions.
When energy is flowing well through this chakra, you remain in touch with your emotions. You are able to see things past your own perspective, honour your feelings, and get a clearer view of your life.
Other benefits of an open third eye include:
- Mental clarity
- Decisiveness
- Improved concentration
- Strengthened intuition Insight
Crystals carry healing energies that can awaken, heal, and activate your third eye chakra. Indigo, violet, purple, blue, and white crystals match the ajna chakra. These colours open, align, balance, and nourish the third eye.
If you're ready to tap into the powers of your sixth sense, use the following crystals to activate your third eye chakra:
1. Amethyst
The sobering energy of this spirituality stone prepares your mind, heart, and spirit for your awakening. In addition, it minimizes emotional traumas, relieves headaches, and improves your sleep.
When you're calm and well rested, you are more open to the works of the third eye. Amethyst unlocks your psychic powers and urges you to unleash your spiritual self.
Learn more about the properties of amethyst here
2. Labradorite
The iridescent labradorite acts as a throat, third eye, and crown chakra stone. As such, it connects you to your inner self, assists you during life transitions, and allows you to do life with wisdom and understanding of the bigger picture. Labradorite also covers you in protection in the process of unlocking your psychic powers.
More about labradorite in this blog
3.Sodalite
Although this stone is mainly for the throat chakra, sodalite also works well with the third eye chakra. As you transform into your higher self, sodalite shifts self-limiting beliefs to growth-oriented beliefs and connects you to your inner truth. This stone also empowers you to balance your left and right brain when making decisions and searching for solutions.
Learn more about sodalite here
4.Lepidolite
Going through anxiety or depression and you're finding it hard to concentrate? Lepidolite's soothing energy will ease a troubled mind, allowing you to obtain higher thinking. Rich in good vibrations, lepidolite balances hormones, brings harmony to the mind and body, and strengthens intuition.
Know more about lepidolite's properties
5. Kyanite
Meditation is key in opening your third eye, and kyanite can help you with this task. This loving stone helps you go deeper into your mind and have a focused meditation. When you need to solve a problem, kyanite elevates your logical thinking so you won't be doing things out of emotional impulse. This stone is also a great memory booster.
Learn about the meaning of kyanite in this post
6. Clear Quartz
As the master healer of crystals, clear quartz removes blockages in the chakras. It's a stone of clarity, bringing forth higher knowledge and intuition. Use clear quartz to align all your chakras and to expand your consciousness.
Check out the full properties of quartz here
How to Use the Third Eye Chakra Crystals
Here are simple ways to incorporate the power of third eye chakra into your life:
- When meditating, place your crystal on your third eye.
- Surround yourself with the third eye chakra crystals and use a singing bowl to activate the third eye.
- Wear the crystals as jewellery.
- Hold your stone and recite affirmations related to wisdom and clarity.
- Place your crystals under your pillow or on your nightstand to stimulate visions while you sleep.
- Hold or keep your crystals close when having tarot readings and other psychic practices.
In addition to crystals and meditation, you can also activate your third eye through yoga, prayer, dance, and essential oils. Covington suggests spending 10 minutes each day doing any of these practices to consciously activate your third eye chakra.
As you work with your third eye, Covington says you'll start to see visions and receive guidance messages. Practice following what your intuition or your gut feel tells you to grow your third eye.
READ NEXT:
- Chakra Healing 101: What Happens When Your Chakras Are ‘Imbalanced’?
- Demotivated? Your Root Chakra May Be Blocked. Here's How to Heal It
- Creative Slump? Dry Sex Life? It's Not You”It's Your Blocked Sacral Chakra
- Solar Plexus Chakra Healing for Increased Personal Power and Self-Acceptance
- Open Up Your Heart Chakra to Release Love, Healing, and Forgiveness
- How to Heal Your Throat Chakra and Be a Better Communicator
- Crown Chakra: The Seat of Higher Consciousness and Spiritual Growth
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Jain, R. (2022, June 30). Ajna Chakra Your Third-Eye Chakra Awakening Arhanta Yoga Blog. Arhanta Yoga Ashrams. https://www.arhantayoga.org/blog/ajna-chakra-your-third-eye-chakra-awakening/
Om in Yoga and Meditation. (2022, October 14). Verywell Fit. https://www.verywellfit.com/the-meaning-of-om-3566806
Santos-Longhurst, A. (2021, July 9). DMT and the Pineal Gland: Separating Fact from Fiction. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/pineal-gland-dmt
Stokes, V. (2021, May 6). How to Open Your Third Eye Chakra for Spiritual Awakening. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/mind-body/how-to-open-your-third-eye
Third Eye chakra (Ajna) - Unblock and Balance The Sixth Chakra. (2022, September 30). https://www.anahana.com/en/yoga/third-eye-chakra
Third Eye Chakra Stones: 15 Must-Have Crystals For The Ajna. (n.d.). Tiny Rituals. Retrieved November 3, 2022, from https://tinyrituals.co/blogs/tiny-rituals/third-eye-chakra-stones
What Is 6th Sense And How Can You Improve It For A Better Life. (2020, August 9). HerZindagi English. https://www.herzindagi.com/health/what-is-6th-sense-how-can-you-improve-it-open-sixth-sense-meditation-write-article-161693
