A simple exercise to increase awareness of our surroundings and beyond.
The third eye chakra helps us see beyond the 3D world, the logical, the expected. When it broadens, we become inquisitive learners, we recognize our intuitive and imaginative abilities, and we move past old, limiting ideas.
What is the third eye chakra?
The third eye chakra sits in the middle of our forehead, right in front of our frontal lobe, where the brain processes analytical, symbolic, and advanced language abilities, as well as personality and self-control. It’s just above our eyes, between our eyebrows.
In yogic tradition, it’s called the Ajna chakra, the energetic center of wisdom and higher consciousness. It leads us from our individuality (Vishuddha, the throat chakra), into connection with the divine (Vyapini, the crown chakra). Symbolized as an all-seeing eye, it gradually opens, with practice, to allow higher levels of perception beyond what you see in front of you. When a yogi works with his Ajna chakra, he’s softening and opening his conscious awareness to let in more universal or shared knowledge.
How deep does consciousness go?
What exactly do we mean by consciousness? The conscious mind is what’s active in our mind, moment to moment, as we go about our business. But under the surface, the subconscious mind records every experience, even details we didn’t notice. When we practice with our third eye, we’re inviting more of that hidden knowledge to come forward to influence our conscious thinking, with intention.
But there’s more. We’re also part of a collective unconscious, which is the experiences shared by of all of humanity. In other words, there’s an enormous body of knowledge that all humans know, simply because they’re human. For example, all humans understand a smile and a scowl. We also have the ability to know when someone is authentically kind or is pulling a fast one.
We’re also part of an Earth consciousness, which means we know things that all other living things also know. With intention, we can bring that knowledge forward too.
And we’re part of a consciousness of the entire universe and perhaps beyond. If you’re religious, you may see this as the mind of God. If you’re more rationally minded, you might think in terms of our growing knowledge of the workings of the universe. We have some degree of experience with this infinity, because we are denizens of this universe.
How do we expand the third eye?
We cultivate a practice that expands our awareness a little at a time. There are many exercises that can help—I included one on this page. It’s not necessary to spend hours in meditation. We can start by simply stating, I am ready to receive deeper knowledge. And then observe what new things come to mind as you live your daily life. You may not receive a flood of knowledge at once, but at some point, a new, meaningful thought may show up, like a little gift.
Practicing simple readiness can expand your intuitive knowledge significantly over time. You can also practice more in-depth exercises—I included one at the end of this article.
Why should I want to expand my third eye chakra?
The short answer is to gain knowledge. When is the last time you tried to see an issue from another cultural or gender perspective? It’s much easier to complain about other people’s ignorance, isn’t it? But if we’re inquisitive, we can learn more about the events that influenced their opinion, connecting us to humanity. This isn’t always easy, but it’s fruitful. It challenges and matures our intellect and broadens our wisdom. This is Ajna expansion.
Many people may never try to expand their perspective. It’s just too difficult, for whatever reason. But if you can compassionately understand arguments, ideas, and experiences that you have personally never had, then your consciousness has grown.
The longer answer is because this process gradually reveals the secrets of the cosmos, while at the same time bringing you home to yourself, where you trust your inner wisdom. You see yourself as you are; a bright spirit, loved, loving, and belonging. You see everyone else that way, too. You appreciate and love yourself. Your past mistakes and mental barriers are nothing but fluff.
Is third eye opening a metaphysical experience?
In Hindu tradition, the opening of the third eye does indeed signify metaphysical understanding. Literature speaks of illumination and visions beyond this plane of existence, but this is only accessible after enlightenment, after mastering all levels of practice, usually requiring many years and deep personal sacrifice. It’s not for everyone.
However, in the here and now of our daily life, we can use third-eye symbolism to invite in more awareness in a way that’s right for us. Simply set your intention – what you would like to gain – and do the beginner awareness exercise below.
Beginner’s third-eye expansion exercise.
After you read each step, sit back, breathe and do the step. Hold the observation in your mind for about 30 seconds or more, then move to the next.
Sit comfortably indoors in a quiet room. Breathe in and out and relax. Notice how your body feels as it relaxes.
Look at whatever is right in front of you. Mentally note the objects in your view—the wall in front of you, its color, the furniture or artwork. After a bit, try closing your eyes and visualize the objects. Close your eyes and mentally recall what you saw.
Eyes open, without turning your head, note what’s on either side of you. Bring to mind the objects, colors and textures of things just out of your range of vision. If you’re sensitive, you may notice your body reacts a tiny bit when you see them in your mind.
Visualize what’s on the other side of the walls on either side of you. Begin to see this from a higher vantage point.
Visualize what’s behind you, again noting the wall, furniture, colors, shapes, textures of what’s completely out of your view.
Turn your view around and look at the back of your own body where it’s sitting. Go to a higher vantage point and observe yourself. Notice how you feel at this point.
Finally, allow your mind to move out of the building and note what’s outside. The trees, sky, buildings, and people outside your building.
Visualize what the people are experiencing – the weather, their interactions with others. Maybe someone walking outside is walking a dog or getting good news on their phone.
How does the space around your heart feel as you visualize people having experiences outside?
Return your attention to normal.
How do you feel? Did anything shift in the way you view yourself?
Easy, right? You can continue expanding the scope of these exercises as far as you wish, noticing the obvious, the obscured, and the hidden knowledge right in front of you, then further out beyond your physical vison.
You can even extend it around the world and feel how someone in another country is feeling. Just like exercising your body, each small step forward expands your capability.
I’ll provide more exercises soon.