The Third Eye Chakra
Third Eye Chakra:
- Sanskrit Name: Ajna
- Color: Indigo
- Element: Light
- Sense: Sight/Intuition
- Location: Between the eyebrows
The third eye chakra is a mystical portal that, when fully awakened, allows us to “see” beyond this reality into both the inner and higher realms. The Sanskrit term Ajna translates as “to perceive,” which is fitting, as an open and nourished third eye chakra enables us not only to see but also to grasp the deeper meaning of our existence. Hindus place a bindi on this center as a tribute to the power of this chakra.
The third eye is depicted as a lotus flower with two petals, unlike all other chakras that have an increasing number of petals as you ascend from the root to the crown. These two petals symbolize the two nadis, Ida and Pingala, which run along the central energy channel known as Shushuma.
On the left petal is the seed syllable Ham, representing Shiva, while on the right is Ksham, symbolizing Shakti. At the center of the lotus sits the feminine Hindu deity, Hakini Shakti. She is often depicted with pink skin, six arms, six faces, golden jewelry, a rosary, a book, a human skull, and a drum. She is believed to offer knowledge of unconditional truth and help us live fearlessly.
Since this chakra is physically located on the head, blockages may manifest as headaches, vision problems, concentration issues, or hearing difficulties. Those who struggle to “hear” reality (and seem to “know” everything) or who are out of touch with their intuition may have a blockage. When open and aligned, it is thought that individuals follow their intuition and see the bigger picture.
