The Chakra Series: ĀJÑĀ, Third Eye
The Sixth Chakra: Ājñā, Third Eye
विशुद्ध
“What is ours to do is often hidden in plain sight.” - Mirabai Starr
This post covers the sixth chakra, Ājñā, if you want to learn more about chakras in general or the first five chakras, please see my previous posts.
The Ājñā chakra is located at the third eye center. Ājñā is often translated as “to perceive.” This chakra is referred to as the guru chakra or the “command center.” The third eye chakra is represented as a two petalled clear or silver grey lotus. The mantra associated with the third eye chakra is “OM,” also pronounced, “AUM.” This is the original sound of the Ultimate. The seven mantras of the chakras are chanted in succession, meant to be a cleansing ritual.
Ājñā brings us out of the physical realm so we are no longer working with senses or elements. Ājñā brings us into the realm of consciousness.
Energetically, the third eye chakra is tied to the energy of light. Our path is illuminated by this chakra. It is also associated with the act of seeing clearly, both physically and intuitively. Ājñā helps us to cut through illusion and see the whole picture with clarity. It is also tied to our sacred imagination, our ability to imagine something different when fear and suffering cloud our judgement. Ājñā helps us to discern between reality and illusion.
This chakra always reminds me of Shiva. If you remember from the first post in this series, Shiva is the one who is finally united with Kundalini (Shakti in serpent form) once all the chakras are balanced. Shiva is the Hindu deity we most often associate with yoga. He is the meditator, the mover, the dancer, and the destroyer of illusion. One of the names of Shiva is “Trinetradhari,” which means “The One with Three Eyes.” Perhaps you have seen someone who wears a bindi , a circular mark worn on the middle of the forehead. Bindis represent the third eye which helps us to not only see the world more clearly, but guides us to look inward. The third eye chakra helps us to be introspective and see the true Self. It also helps us to see where the illusion of our separateness to others is getting in the way.
There is so much unknown in the world. Right now, during a pandemic, and during an ignited fight for racial justice, our future as a global community is uniquely obscured. Things feel unstable for so many of us. We are watching destruction and pain as we hope for a better future. It’s important to recognize that we always have the ability to see differently, more clearly. Fear and ignorance will cloud our sight but fierce compassion and standing on the side of justice and interdependence will give us the vision we need to move forward together.
May you be well
May you be safe
May you see clearly
May you imagine well
May you see with compassion
Reflection
What areas of life feel “foggy” to you? When was the last time you felt like you weren’t seeing a situation clearly? What “lifts the fog” for you? What effect does not seeing clearly have on your actions, on your neighbours, on the world?
Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breathing)
Find a comfortable seat with a long spine. Sit on top of a bolster, blanket, or block to get the hips higher than your knees. Place your left hand on your left knee either facing up or down or taking a preferred mudra. (Note: always a good idea to blow your nose before this practice!)
Place your right thumb lightly on the outside of the right nostril. Your pointer and middle finger stay on your third eye, the right ring finger rests on the outside of your left nostril.
Take a full breath in and a full breath out.
Gently close the right nostril with the thumb and inhale through the left nostril. Close the left nostril with the ring finger while opening the right nostril and exhale through the right. Keep the right nostril open and the left nostril closed as you inhale through the right nostril. Switch and exhale through the left.
Something that can help here is to imagine the air outside is like a mustache moving back and forth. The air goes in one side, out the other, back in the same side, and then out the other.
Continue for 5-10 breaths and end with an exhale out the left side.
Asana
Prasarita Padottanasana I (Wide Legged Forward Bend)
For this variation, grab a block or two where you will rest your forehead right at the third eye chakra. Step the feet wide on the mat with the toes facing forward. Bring the hands to the hips, inhale to grow long in the spine and come forward with a flat back, placing your forehead on the block. If your forehead doesn’t reach the block, add another block for more height. Find a space where your neck can remain long and not extended. Hands can be placed on the ground, on the back, or stretched forward with the fingers interlaced for a shoulder stretch.
Breathe 5-10 breaths, bring the hands to the hips and using the strength of the legs, come up once more slowly and with a flat back. Give yourself time to adjust to a new relation to gravity.
Balasana (Child’s Pose)
Come onto hands and knees. Bring the knees wide and the big toes together. Walk the hands forward until the forehead reaches the ground, arms stretched forward. If the forehead doesn’t reach the ground, find a blanket or block to prop underneath. Remain here for 5-10 breaths before slowly pressing down into the hands and walking them toward the seat to sit up.
