For our lives to feel balanced, our seven primary chakras must be balanced. If energy flow is stifled to any – or all – of them, we will feel very challenged indeed. The third eye chakra is a fascinating one. When this chakra is out of balance, it has a huge impact on our ability to navigate our inner and outer worlds. If we are to feel peaceful and connected, this chakra must be functioning properly.
The third-eye chakra is the sixth primary chakra, according to Hindu tradition. When balanced, it allows you to see things as they really are. It relates to the subconscious mind and is considered to be our sixth sense. This vital power resides within you, but it must be exercised regularly if you are to utilize it.
The third eye governs your inner being and your ability to access intuition, psychic abilities, and connection to the divine. It literally creates your reality. This chakra is so sensitive that even the slightest imbalance can cause extreme emotional, psychological and physical dysfunction.
Where is the third eye chakra?
The third eye chakra corresponds to the pineal gland, a pea-sized gland that is shaped like a pinecone. This small endocrine gland is situated in the center of the brain, producing melatonin – a hormone that regulates your waking and sleeping states. Thus, the third eye chakra is situated in the center of the forehead, between the eyebrows.
French philosopher Rene Descartes regarded this gland as the ‘principal seat of the soul’; the place in which all thoughts are created. It is a light-sensing organ and it’s also responsible for our visualization and imagination. When you ‘see’ a memory or imagine a scene, it is generated here.
The third eye chakra shows us that there is far more to reality than the five senses alone can perceive. It is known as the tool of mystic seers, but today the majority of people are unaware that this dormant power can be reawakened. Without a balanced Ajna chakra, there is no hope of enlightenment; but when it is balanced, we can release attachments to the happenings in the 3D world. We can accept the complexity and duality of our collective reality, navigating it wisely and moving into peace.
Key characteristics of the third eye chakra
The Sanskrit name for the third eye is Ajna, which means to ‘perceive’, or ‘command’. Ajna is responsible for imagination, inner vision, wisdom, and spiritual liberation. The symbol of the Ajna chakra is an indigo lotus flower with two large petals. These petals represent the two aspects of reality: the manifest and unmanifest, which indicates the creative power of this chakra.
The chakra corresponds to all elements and in particular, light. Its color is indigo, which is said to have the sixth longest wavelength (430nm) and sixth slowest frequency (700THz) in the visual color spectrum. The seed sound is Om (Aum) and the deity linked to the third eye is Lord Shiva.
Ajna is responsible for your telepathic powers and psychic vision. It also establishes your connection with the divine energy field we call God. The third eye chakra shows us that there is no need to fear death. We may retain awareness of our mortality so that we can consciously enjoy our time on earth, safe in the knowledge that death is merely the next step.
Ajna governs your inquisitive nature, your deepest perceptions, and inner wisdom. Through it, we embrace truth, no matter how unpalatable. Mental clarity ensues, and all of our cognitive functions work as they should. Our intuitive energy flows, and we trust in its messages. We have a balanced view of ourselves and others, allowing for different perspectives… ego is no longer in the driving seat.
Physically, the third eye chakra relates to the pituitary and pineal glands, your skull, brain, eyes, nervous system and senses.
What happens when the third eye is imbalanced
With a balanced third eye, your perception is sharp. You will make decisions without attachment to outcomes, and you’ll be focused, exercising discernment at all times. You will ask questions of reality, not settling for the most convenient or comfortable answers. Illusion does not faze you – you see right through it.
You live according to your own ideals, shunning the idea of conformity for the sake of it. Your intuition is your greatest tool for decision-making. You will be clear on your life purpose and general direction while being as flexible as life’s flow dictates.
When the third eye is unbalanced, intuition takes a back seat. You lose touch with your inner wisdom, focusing mainly on the 3D reality. You may forget that there are deeper layers to life, all of which influence your being on a daily basis. Visualization and focus may be difficult, dream recall poor and nightmares more common.
An under-active third eye chakra
A lack of energy to this chakra manifests as a sense of being lost in life. Inner guidance seems out of reach – and when it is present, you don’t trust it. Drive to reach life goals is diminished, or the goals seem pointless. You may be afraid of the unknown, or despondent about your future. For this reason, you may attach to the more trivial pleasures of the present, seeking stability through mundane routines.
A sense of being stuck is common, as is the ability to determine the way out of it. The lack of purpose you feel can become overwhelming, resulting in psychological dysfunction. Lust for life ebbs away, negatively impacting your other chakras. Your sense of gratitude is lost, dampening your overall experience of life.
An over-active third eye chakra
If your third eye chakra is over-active, overwhelm is likely. You’ll find it tough to get a hold on your ever-changing thoughts, which fly through your mind at such a pace it’s hard to make sense of them. You become anxious and perhaps even paranoid. This is truly tiring!
Your decision-making suffers, and even basic decisions don’t come easily. Your judgment may be clouded, your focus off; you become wrapped up in illusions, but thoroughly oblivious to this. You may feel confused, lacking a sense of direction. Dreams become unpleasant and confusing, and you become overly serious – even fearful and depressed. Your ability to discern what is true may flounder, and you could feel spiritually disconnected.
Physical symptoms of a blocked third eye chakra
As this chakra relates to the head, you might experience headaches, issues with your vision, insomnia, or sinus problems. Nausea and hallucinations are also a possibility; it has even been reported that seizures happen when this chakra is blocked.
How to balance the third eye chakra
The energies of the third eye chakra can be potentized by spiritual practices such as yoga, meditation and active use of intuition. As this chakra governs visualization, it is key to work with this inner power. That might mean creating colorful and visual artwork, experimenting with psychic abilities, and strengthening the memory through exercises. Why not try the following exercises for size?
Practice using your intuition and psychic abilities
We all have these, but they may be latent due to lack of active use. If your intuition regularly nudges you, that’s great: it’s time to start paying attention to it.
Try tuning into your feelings about how future events may materialize, without application of wishful thinking. Put aside your preferences, and picture yourself at these events. Can you feel that they will happen, and how they may unfold? Write down your predictions and check back on them later.
You could also try using divination tools, like the pendulum or the tarot. These can be great fun but remember not to attach to outcomes. Being biased by rationalizing or hoping may affect your assessment of what you find.
Get back in touch with your purpose
If you feel you’re lacking in direction, reconnect with your purpose by tapping into your feelings and inner wisdom. What are your talents? What brings you a feeling of excitement when you think of it? Is it travel? Cooking? Writing? Write down all the things you would do if there were no restrictions. Whatever creates a feeling of exhilaration in you is the answer.
Don’t allow negative thoughts and logical assumptions to get in the way; the key to manifestation lies not in being able to pinpoint each step on the path but to trust that where there is a will, there is a way. Know that the universe provides when our intentions are pure; if it’s the right track, the way will become clear.
Make more time for yoga
Yoga is the answer to many problems! It’s great for balancing all the chakras because it encourages presence and is naturally meditative. Great positions for Ajna balancing are ardha uttanasana (half standing forward bend), which relaxes the mind while creating a light pressure in the center of the forehead.
Sun salutations are also very helpful, especially outside in the sunlight. Allow the light to hit your face, energizing the third eye. You can also practice virabhadrasana 3 (warrior 3), and child’s pose (balasana) with your forehead pressed to the mat; this brings awareness to the third eye area. It’s always helpful to take forward bends, including downward facing dog (adho mukha svanasana), and any seated meditative positions.
You can also try to include essential oils like sandalwood or vanilla into your yoga practice. Learn more about essential oils for the Third Eye Chakra here!
Eat the right foods for Ajna balancing
You’ll need to incorporate ‘brain foods’ into your diet, such as those high in Omega-3 fatty acids. That includes nuts, fish, and vegetables. You may be pleased to hear that dark chocolate is a great aid to your third eye; it aids mental clarity, relaxes you and can lower high blood pressure.
Berries (in particular strawberries and blueberries) have a beneficial impact on cognitive abilities such as memory and learning ability. They contain antioxidants, which have been shown to assist our thinking and reasoning processes. It’s important to listen to your body when it comes to food. This is also a way to tap into your intuition, which helps the third eye too.
When your third eye has been rebalanced, you are bound to feel on top of the world – not just this world, but other dimensions too! You’ll be unstoppable in your purpose, spiritually reconnected and totally in touch with your intuition. Gratitude will be restored…. what a great way to sail through this life!
Learn more about the chakra system here!
