The Third Eye Chakra

Last Updated: December 24, 2019

The third eye chakra is the sixth chakra. Located on the forehead, between the eyebrows, it is the center of intuition and foresight. The function of the third eye chakra is driven by the principle of openness and imagination.

Third eye chakra meaning

The fifth chakra is referred to as:

• Third eye chakra
• Brow chakra
• Ajna chakra
• Bhru Madhya
• Dvidak Padma

The most common Sanskrit name for the Third eye chakra is “Ajna”, which means “command” and “perceiving”.

This chakra is related to the “supreme element”, which is the combination of all the elements in their pure form.

Yogic meaning of the 3rd eye chakra

In yogic metaphysics, the third eye or Ajna chakra, is the center where we transcend duality – the duality of a personal “I” separate from the rest of the world, of a personality that exists independently from everything else.

As Harish Johari says, “a yogi who has passed through the Vishuddha Chakra at the throat to the Ajna Chakra transcends the five elements and becomes freed (mukta) from the bondage of time-bound consciousness. This is where the I-consciousness is absorbed into super-consciousness.” (Harish Johari: Chakras: Energy Centres of Transformation).

Third eye chakra color

The third eye chakra is most commonly represented with the color purple or bluish purple. The auric color of third eye chakra energy can also be seen as translucent purple or bluish white.

Rather than by its color, it is characterized by the quality of its luminescence or soft radiance that reminds us of the moon light.

Third eye chakra symbol

The image of the Third Eye chakra symbol contains two elements frequently associated with wisdom: the upside down triangle and the lotus flower.

Third eye chakra location

The most commonly accepted location for the sixth chakra is between the eyebrows, slightly above at the bridge of your nose. Contrary to a common misconception, it is not located in the middle of the forehead, but between the eyes where the eyebrows would meet. It can also be described as being located behind the eyes in the middle of the head. Note that secondary chakras run along the midline of the forehead, but the third eye chakra is typically located lower.

The Third eye chakra is associated to the pineal gland in charge of regulating biorhythms, including sleep and wake time. It’s a gland located in the brain that is a center of attention because of its relationship with the perception and effect of light and altered or “mystical” states of consciousness. It’s positioned close to the optical nerves, and as such, sensitive to visual stimulations and changes in lighting.

Behavioral characteristics of the Third eye chakra

The third eye chakra is associated with the following psychological and behavioral characteristics:

• Vision
• Intuition
• Perception of subtle dimensions and movements of energy
• Psychic abilities related to clairvoyance and clairaudience especially
• Access to mystical states, illumination
• Connection to wisdom, insight
• Motivates inspiration and creativity

The third eye chakra is an instrument to perceive the more subtle qualities of reality. It goes beyond the more physical senses into the realm of subtle energies. Awakening your third eye allows you to open up to an intuitive sensibility and inner perception.

Because it connects us with a different way of seeing and perceiving, the third eye chakra’s images are often hard to describe verbally. It puts us in touch with the ineffable and the intangible more closely. Third eye visions are also often more subtle than regular visions: They may appear a bit “blurry”, ghost-like, cloudy, or dream-like. Sometimes however, the inner visions might be clear like a movie playing in front of your eyes.

Sustaining awareness of third eye chakra energy might require focus and the ability to relax into a different way of seeing. When we focus our mind and consciousness, we can see beyond the distractions and illusions that stand before us and have more insight to live and create more deeply aligned with our highest good.

The third eye chakra is associated with the archetypal dimensions, as well as the realm of spirits.

Third eye chakra imbalance

When the Third eye chakra has an imbalance, it can manifest as:

• Feeling stuck in the daily grind without being able to look beyond your problems and set a guiding vision for yourself
• Overactive third chakra without support from the rest of the chakra system may manifest as fantasies that appear more real than reality, indulgence in psychic fantasies and illusions
• Not being able to establish a vision for oneself and realize it
• Rejection of everything spiritual or beyond the usual
• Not being able to see the greater picture
• Lack of clarity

Author:

Lizzy

Lizzy is editor in chief of Chakra Magazine and chakras.info. She is trained in several energy healing modalities including Reiki and Healing Touch. In addition she has spent many years studying ancient traditions such as the chakra system and Tibetan spirituality. She merges this knowledge with her passion for sharing information through journalism. Her mission is to offer accurate, up-to-date, reliable resources about topics that matter to readers with regards to the chakra systems.