Use Your Third Eye, Call Me
Your sixth sense, your third eye, your mind's eye, your inner eye are all different terms for an esoteric concept that, I think, over the last 60 years has gained a lot of curiosity and momentum (certainly in the Western world anyway). The Anja Chakra (means 'beyond wisdom' in Sanskrit) is slightly above your eyebrows in the middle of your forehead. The Chakras inside our bodies are seven energy points that line up with our spinal cord and connect to some of our major nerve centres. The sixth Chakra is my second last blog post on this topic, only one more to go! You can find a list of the other Chakras posts I have written about here.
The Third Eye rules our intuition, our inner wisdom, and allows us to see our inner and outer world. The Ajna Chakra is the key to accessing our unconscious and feeling our connection to the Universe. The mantra of this Chakra is, 'I am connected.' We can access infinite inner guidance when we create space for this information to come through to us.
I feel this is the second hardest Chakra to connect to because your other Chakras' needs must be met first. It is harder to connect to the Universe when you aren't sure where your next meal is coming from or if you feel unworthy of love. If you can't find your joy or feel you are unable to express what you think, tapping into Creation may take some extra moxie. However, finding ways to unite with our Third Eye can immensely help balance our other Chakras immensely, so I think it is worth the effort to keep seeking that connection.
If you have feelings of insignificance or are generally close-minded, you may not be in-sync with your Third Eye Chakra. You may be unable to learn from experiences or may feel you want to withdraw from life. You might feel stuck or have a lack of clarity. Physically you might experience headaches, have trouble sleeping, or even problems with your vision.
Image by Enrique Meseguer from Pixabay
Healing and opening your Ajna Chakra:
Meditation. (Ugh, again, I know.)
Good sleep hygiene. Create a bedtime routine and stick with it. Try to go to sleep and wake at the same time every day - even on weekends. Try keeping a dream journal and record if you see any changes while keeping your Third Eye open and balanced.
Developing a healthy diet. Even though the Ajna Chakra is in our head, it is one of the most sensitive Chakras for reacting to toxic substances like alcohol, drugs, and heavily processed foods.
Having healthy thoughts and recognizing when you are operating from your ego and letting go of it.
Striving to balance your other Chakras.
Reduce your screen time. Some researchers say that there is a blue light emanating from our phones, tablets, computer monitors, and televisions that can impact our eyes, brain waves, and Third Eye. Take regular breaks if a computer screen is a regular part of your workday. (Actually, please take frequent breaks during the day no matter what you do.) Many scientists recommend that you stop looking at screens one hour before you sleep, and also wait one hour after you wake up before you check your mobile phone.
Meditation. (See what I did there?)
“‘You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes every day – unless you’re too busy; then you should sit for an hour.’”
Yoga Moves:
Balasana (Child Pose) - Kneel on the floor, big toes touching and sit on your heels. Separate your knees slightly wider than your hips. Exhale and lay the torso down, in between your thighs. Slowly place your forehead on the mat. You can extend the arms forward, palms facing down or behind you, palms facing up. Lengthen your tailbone away from your pelvis while you lift the skull base away from the back of your neck. With every exhale, sink deeper into the floor. Feel the weight of the shoulders pulling the shoulder blades across your back. Connect with your breath and stay there for 30 secs to a few minutes.
Uttana Shishosana (Extended puppy pose) - This pose lengthens the spine and calms the mind. Come onto all fours, with your knees under your hips. Start walking your hands forward, as you exhale, pull your pelvis towards your heels. You are stretching in opposite directions. Keep the arms active and gently place your forehead on the mat, and allow your neck to relax. Press the hands down, stretch through the arms and back while pulling the hips back. Breathe into your back and feel your spine lengthen in both directions. Hold for 30 sec to 1 min, then drop your buttocks on your heels to release the pose.
Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog) - On hands and knees, check that your hips are above your knees and your shoulders above your wrists. Move your hands forward slightly - about one hand-width. Spread your fingers, press the palms into the floor; as you exhale, lift the knees up and the sit bones towards the ceiling. Lengthen the tailbone and press it slightly towards the pubis. Exhale, push the thighs back and the heels towards the floor. Straighten your knees and turn the thighs slightly inwards. With every inhale, lengthen the back. With every exhale, press the heels down - gaze towards your navel. Breathe steadily. Stay for 5 breaths to 1 min. Exhale, bend your knees and release to Balasana.
Parsvottanasana (Pyramid Pose) - From standing, step the right foot forward, one leg-length between your feet. Rotate your left foot 45° and check that your heels are on the same line. Firm your thighs, lift the kneecaps and keep the hips level. Inhale, grab the opposite elbows behind you or place your hands in reverse prayer position, behind your back. Inhale, press into the feet and lengthen the back. Exhale, lean the torso forward above your right leg. Keep the hips square. Slowly work towards bringing your forehead to your knee, or your chin to your shin. Breathe steadily through the nose and hold for 15-30 secs. Inhale, come up as your press through the heels. Repeat on the other side.
Paschimottanasana (Seated forward bend) - Sit with your legs straight in front of you. Find your sit bones. Engage your legs and flex your feet. Inhale, lift the sternum and draw the belly in. Exhale, bend from the hips, not the waist, lean your chest and torso forward. As you gradually bend forward, lengthen the tailbone away from the pelvis. The lower belly should touch the thighs first, then the stomach, then the chest, and the head last. If your breath is shallow and restricted, that's your sign for backing off a little. Keep steadily breathing where you are. If possible, grab the sides of your feet. To go deeper, grab the wrist behind your feet. Inhale, keep lengthening the torso. Exhale, release deeper in the bend, without forcing it. Stay here for 30 secs to 1 min (or longer if you enjoy this calming pose). To come up, inhale and lift the torso slowly.
Savasana (Corpse Pose) - Lie comfortably on your back. Close your eyes. Bring your legs wide and allow your feet to flop open. Bring your arms by your sides and away from your body. Turn your palms toward the sky. Tuck your shoulder blades underneath you. Tuck your chin slightly into your chest. Make any small movements you need so that you are very comfortable and then become still. Take relaxed, natural breaths through your nose. Remind yourself as you are breathing, 'I allow me to truly see my inner and outer world. I trust myself. I am connected to the Universe.'
When your Third Chakra is firing on all cylinders, you will feel more attached to the world and people in a meaningful way. You will more easily see how things in your life are connected, and maybe even recognize patterns and clues presented to you about where your life path is headed. Sensing how your life is woven so intricately and beautifully into the world will empower you to make better decisions for yourself, others, and the planet. I hope that you can connect with your Anja Chakra and see your brilliance.