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How to Open Your Third Eye: A Practical Guide

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The first thing you should know is that there are no shortcuts to spiritual awakening. As with all things worth achieving it takes time and dedication to open your third eye. That being said there are ways to help you on your journey to heightened awareness and enlightenment.

Inevitably, when we speak of third eye opening, we are directly referring to the process of balancing and opening your third eye chakra.

Before starting work on awakening your third eye you need to make sure that your life energy (chi or prana) is allowed to flow freely through your body.

You can do the following simple pranayama to balance your nervous system and align the two main energy channels in your body, Ida, and Pingala.

Controlled Breathing – Nadi Shodhana

Slowly and gently breathe in and out, taking deep breaths until you are relaxed and calm.

• use your thumb to block your right nostril and exhale through your left nostril. Take a deep breath through your left nostril while counting to five; feel the left side of your body as the air travels through it
• use your ring finger to block your left nostril (both nostrils are blocked) and hold your breath for the same amount of time (counting to five)
• release your right nostril and breathe out in the same rhythm
• keep your left nostril blocked, and take a deep breath through your right nostril; feel the right side of the body as you draw in a deep breath
• close both nostrils and hold your breath while counting to five; exhale through your left nostril.
• repeat the alternate breathing process
• finish by exhaling through your left nostril

Best practice in the morning on an empty stomach. Start with five minutes of alternate breathing and work your way up to fifteen minutes a day to reap the full benefits of improved energy flow.

The positive effects of controlled breathing on awakening your third eye:

  • paying attention to your breathing helps you focus and draw in the energy
  • by being mindful of how you breathe, your breathing becomes slower and the pauses between breaths get longer – the slower we breathe the longer and better we live
  • by focusing on our breathing we put our restless mind to work – we tame this mad monkey running through our head and calm our stream of consciousness
  • when we become attentive to drawing breaths deep into our nostrils we draw our mind’s attention to our third eye thereby energizing the frontal part of our brain, the center of our superconsciousness
  • the sensation of cold air in our nostrils alone is enough to cool our brain and calm our thoughts

DIRECTION OF THE ENERGY FLOW

Depending on the direction in which the energy flows in your body, you are able to achieve different states of consciousness.

CONSCIOUS STATE: the energy flow through our five senses down and out of our body
SUBCONSCIOUS STATE: the energy flows down
SUPERCONSCIOUS STATE (in meditation): the energy flows in and up

The connection between the direction of the flow of energy and the levels of consciousness:

When we say: “I feel beaten down. I’m knackered. I’m feeling down,” we intuitively know that we are being drained of our life energy. By wording and repeating these affirmations we only make things worse and allow the energy to drain even faster and more intensively.
But when we say: “I feel high. I’m feeling heavenly. I feel alive,” the energy flows up as we help it accumulate and lift by using these positive affirmations.

The direction of the energy flow is directly linked to how we feel. It helps to meditate regularly since meditation helps us orient the energy flow in and up, which improves our general wellbeing.

Once you have balanced your energy flow, you can proceed with the third eye meditation practice.

Third Eye Meditation

There are two areas of the brain especially important for opening your third eye – the frontal lobes in the forehead area and the limbic system deep in the middle of the brain. In order to achieve your goal of spiritual awakening, you need to find a way to strengthen the frontal lobes and resist the pull of your baser urges.

Limbic system - the primitive part of the brain associated with:

• instincts
• survival instinct
• primitive emotions such as rage, fear, aggression.

This part of the brain is most active when a person is very afraid, worried, angry, depressed, or obsessed with negative thoughts. During such times the frontal lobes are virtually incapacitated.

Frontal lobes - the most evolutionary developed part of the brain, the center for:

• happiness
• idealism
• joy
• concentration
• creativity
• abstract thinking
• self-realization.

Frontal lobes and the activity of the frontal part of the brain can be strengthened through meditation. Better integration of the ego means less mental problems, less depression, and less anxiety. With meditation, your social skills stand to improve significantly, you anger management improves, you can exercise more self-control, you become more creative, content, and calm. In time you can even gain control over and regulate the autonomous bodily functions such as your body temperature or your heartbeat.

Meditation Basics

Time and Frequency

Set a time for daily meditation. The most opportune times are at dawn (as soon as you wake up), at dusk, at noon, or at midnight. The energies at these times are most conducive to meditation. Alternatively, you can also meditate right before going to sleep. The best way to meditate is on an empty stomach (at least 2-3 hours after a meal).

Time and Frequency

If you can spare the time, take a few extra moments before meditation to stretch out. The best way to get some exercise is by doing yoga poses. You have to take care not to do exercises that can stimulate the nervous system (cardio exercises are not the best choice).

Set and Setting

Choose a place in your apartment dedicated to meditation. This spot should be as calm as possible. If you can’t avoid the commotion, use earplugs. The room should not be overcrowded or too cold. Choose a place to sit comfortably such as a comfortable chair or a pillow. If at all possible, sit facing east, since energy naturally flows east to west. North is a good direction as well. You can wear a shrug around your shoulders. It helps if you make a little shrine, a place where you can place a candle or some flowers or anything you hold dear, something that means a lot to you, or inspires you – this will be your focal point. A nicely arranged space helps produce vibes that facilitate meditation. It also helps to turn meditation into a daily practice, which it needs to become if you are serious about opening your third eye.

Position

Earth has a great energetic pull. To avoid having our energy pulled down, you can isolate yourself from the Earth’s electromagnetic field by sitting on materials that can block this field – wool or silk. It doesn’t matter if you sit on the ground or on a chair – the spine must be straight and your chest opened. Your eyes must be closed, focused on the third eye. Your hands should rest in your lap, palms facing up.

How long?

Do not set unrealistic goals. It is better to meditate regularly for 5-15 minutes a day than once a week for an hour. You can prolong meditation time gradually, a minute at a time. In order to make better progress towards opening your third eye, it helps to meditate for a longer period of time at least twice a week. Group meditation is also beneficial since the combined energy of the group helps you meditate longer.

Preparing for Meditation

After a light stretching/exercise/yoga session, sit down and flex your muscles three times upon inhaling and relax them upon exhaling. Relax, calm down, focus on your breathing.

Begin by practicing triangular breathing:

  • take a slow, steady breath through the nose while counting to five/or eight
  • hold your breath for the same period of time (counting to five/or eight)
  • exhale and take another breath
  • repeat this process for six to ten rounds, as slow as you can and without straining yourself
  • finish by taking a deep breath through the nose and exhaling three times gently through the mouth
  • relax, relinquish control of the breathing but remain aware of it the entire time.

In order to meditate and work on opening your third eye, you need to feel relaxed. Your body should be still. From time to time focus your mind on finding pent up stress or discomfort in your body. If you notice your mind constantly finding this stress of discomfort, gently shift your body. Be calm and relaxed but at the same time alert and present.
Find joy in meditation, be dedicated and allow the process to guide you towards your true self. Allow your soul to revert to its primary state of joy and profound peace. As soon as you notice your mind wandering off in thought, calmly resume the triangular breathing technique.

How to Introduce Meditation into Your Daily Routine?

Taking the time to work towards opening your third eye – practical guidelines:

  • Practice self-observation every chance you get. Avoid feelings of guilt or blame. Stay focused on yourself by knowing that you are one with all creation.
  • Be aware of your breathing. Whenever you lose sight of the core of your being, when you feel the energy leaving you, when you are upset, worried, or distracted, slow down, pause and focus on your breathing. Take deep slow breaths and remember the peaceful place you find through meditation.
  • When you are being aware of your breathing, keep your focus on the third eye, the center of self-realization and happiness. Draw your attention to the third eye and try to keep it there. For a brief moment place your finger on the spot between your eyebrows and close your eyes.
  • Introduce “mini-meditations” into your daily life – take 10 seconds at a time or longer to focus on your breathing and welcome peace.
  • React to the counter from your superconsciousness instead of reacting from your subconsciousness. Strive to replace bad habits and negative thinking with a more positive outlook.
  • Be patient with yourself. Change does not occur overnight and personal growth is a process, not an event. If you fail to make progress do not dwell but tell yourself you will do better next time.
  • Listen to meditative music and read inspirational literature.
  • Follow the karma yoga principles – it is less important whether you succeed or not than it is to do your best; everything happens at the right time.
  • Try to understand that all situations and events are neutral at their core. You are the one ascribing them positive or negative aspects.
  • Take everything you encounter as a lesson, an opportunity to learn, a gift that can make you stronger.
  • Wish well unto yourself and others at all times, say it out loud as often as you can.
  • Use positive affirmations all the time.
  • Strive to be a ray of light in your daily encounters. Visualize a light around yourself and others.
  • Do something creative every day, try something different, introduce change into your daily routine (use your other hand to wash your teeth, take a different route home, walk instead of taking a lift…).
  • Invite your friends for group meditation.
  • Be selective in your choices of who you spend time with. It is very important who you surround yourself with. Try to be around positive people. We need the company of those who share our outlook on life, who think similarly, who are investing in their spirituality and personal growth.
  • Do not lose sight of who you are – you are not your body, you are not your mind, you are not your personality, you are not your work – what you are is one with the infinite universe, you are one with everything that exists, you are a part of something bigger.
  • Work towards being positive and joyful all the time. Choose to live with joy and love.
  • Ponder infinity, boundlessness, eternity – take time to stargaze, slow your life down.
  • Think of your work as doing something good for the community and not in terms of it being a necessary evil.
  • Take more time for yourself and spend it with yourself in silence.
  • Avoid negative thoughts and fight the feeling of hopelessness.
  • Most important of all – every day try to be more concentrated during your meditation session than the previous day. Try to hold on to the feeling of peace and joy you get during meditation for a longer period of time each day.

First Signs of Opening Your Third Eye

  • You will feel a more pronounced desire to seek the truth. You will find courage to follow your heart and listen less to what your friends, your family, or even your mind are saying.
  • You will feel the urge to re-evaluate your outlook on life and you will find the willpower to change it if it does not correspond with your inner truth. This is the rising of the desire to learn, change, and grow.
  • You will come to understand that life is a classroom in which everything that happened, good or bad, is an opportunity to learn, a lesson we need to take.
  • You will become more compassionate – not only towards your loved ones but towards all the living creatures.
  • You will become less focused on “me” and “mine”, less selfish in your thoughts and actions.
  • You will come to accept yourself and you will learn about yourself and about who you really are. This process will bring the realization that you are a part of something bigger and greater.
  • You will learn to appreciate beauty –light, fresh air, animals, nature in all its glory.
  • You will develop your creative mind and start focusing on solutions instead of problems.
  • You will become more resilient. No matter how many times life will bring you down, you will find the inner strength to pick yourself up and dust yourself off, feeling happy to have learned a new lesson.
  • The desire and the intention to become truly, unwaveringly happy, and to share this happiness with others, will become the driving force of your existence.
  • You will begin to feel more balanced, positive, energetic, enthusiastic, and optimistic.
  • You will become more courageous and ready to face adversities, fears, and trials. Eventually you will be able to conquer even your biggest fears, such as fear of death, fear of losing control, and fear of rejection.
  • You will feel a more pronounced desire to build and develop your inner world and your inner life (meditation, yoga)
  • You will become more persistent – should you lose courage, you will be ready to seek help or inspiration to find it again and persevere.
  • You will feel the need to spend time with spiritual people, positive people, and inspirational people. You will learn to avoid negative people, those who drain your energy.
  • You will attain a more positive outlook on life – you will refuse to feel bad or think negatively .
  • You will become accepting of other people’s realities, not just your own.
  • You will assume responsibility for your life.
  • You will become more intuitive.
  • You will allow yourself to be guided by knowledge and you will accept help and learn from those who are better at certain things than yourself.
  • The periods of feeling at peace with yourself and the world will become more common.
  • Your eyes will sparkle, your face will shine, and a joyful smile will become your permanent accessory.
  • You will be willing to admit when you are wrong, without harbouring feelings of guilt or self-deprecation.
  • You will develop an appreciation for living in the present and letting go of the past, no matter how hard it was. You will stop blaming others for the way your life has turned out. You will become ready to create a bright future for yourself.
  • You will learn to appreciate the little things in life, you will stop complicating matters and you will stop being overly obsessed with material possessions. Once you will let go of the feeling that you need to amass possessions, you will find them gravitating towards you on their own. You will be taken care of and you will get exactly what you need, when you need it.
  • The rhythm of your life will adapt to your needs and you will stop feeling like time is slipping through your fingers.
  • You will find yourself surrounded with calm, positive people. You yourself will feel the need to help others and teach them the things that have made you happier. You will learn that every other being is a part of you and we are all together part of something greater.
  • You will start appreciating and taking time for yourself and enjoy the silence. Your meditation sessions will become longer.
  • You will become grateful for your life and everything in it.