The third-eye chakra is the sixth chakra. It is located between the eyebrows and is associated with light and the color dark blue, purple, or bluish purple. It is characterized by the quality of its luminescence or soft radiance that reminds us of the moon light. The most common Sanskrit name for the third eye chakra is “Ajna”, which means “command” and “perceiving”. This chakra is the center of intuition and foresight. This spiritual chakra will lead you to an inner knowledge and it motivates thought, insight, and creativity. An open third-eye chakra can enable clairvoyance/telepathy, lucid dreaming, expanded imagination, and visualization. Imbalance may result in feeling stuck and a lack of vision (underactive chakra) or indulgence in fantasy and illusions (overactive chakra).

The third-eye chakra is the center of a sixth-sense. One you can feel as intuition. When you know something is or isn’t right but can’t put your finger on why because there is no tangible proof. We used to rely on this sense of intuition and inner knowing, but modern technology has numbed us to it. Just as animals know when an earthquake or tsunami may hit, birds know when to fly south, and fish know when to spawn, humans also have an intuitive sense. We’ve just lost touch with it and our ability to trust in it.

When the third-eye chakra is in balance, we can look to it for guidance in making correct decisions. We can add it to our tools, the lines of evidence, provided by our mind, intellect, and ego. The third-eye allows our soul to weigh in on our decision-making process. As the solar plexus chakra provided us with a gut instinct for right and wrong, the third-eye chakra provides us with a hunch or subtle feeling of moving forward or being held back.

The third-eye chakra is the center where we transcend the duality of consciousness; from the personal “I” or egocentric-consciousness to a “super” or world-consciousness.  

Physiological: The third-eye chakra is associated with the pineal gland, a gland in charge of regulating biorhythms including sleeping and waking. It’s a gland associated with perception and the effect of light and altered states of consciousness. The third eye chakra is also positioned close to the optical nerves and is sensitive to visual stimulations and changes in lighting.

Imbalance: When there is imbalance in the third-eye chakra, you may lose your direction in life and become stagnant or, on the contrary, become overly stimulated and lose touch with reality. You may distrust your inner voice. Your perception about life can become skewed and nearly unrecognizable.

Physical symptoms may manifest as your body’s inability to fight infection, regulate sleep, and maintain balanced metabolic function since the third-eye chakra governs the pituitary gland and neurological function. You may find you are frequently sick, suffer insomnia, or develop high blood pressure. You may also experience headaches, vision problems, seizures, nausea, and sinus issues.

Non-physical disorders may include hallucinations, paranoia and/or delusions, anxiety and/or depression, and the feeling of overwhelm. You may also experience vivid dreams or nightmares.

Restoring Balance: The following practices may be helpful in restoring balance to the third-eye chakra. 

• Meditate (search for Chakra Meditation on your favorite music app). Focus on a dark blue or purplish light emanating from the area between your eyebrows. You may feel a tingling feeling or headache; this tingling or pulsating sensation around the area of the third eye during or after meditation is a sign that you are opening this blocked chakra.
• Implement sound therapy (search for Chakra Meditation on your favorite music app). Chanting or toning sounds can help bring you back to balance. Sounds create vibrations in the body, and these vibrations help the cells work together in synchronistic harmony. The mantra sound that corresponds to the third-eye chakra is “SHAM.” 
• Practice a Pranayama breathing technique, called Brahmari, or bee breath. This focused breathing is conducted by bringing both hands to your face. Allow the index fingers to rest on the eyebrow line and place the pinky fingers under the cheekbones. Close your ears with your thumbs. Take a deep inhalation and exhale the word “SHAM” while creating a buzzing sound like a bee. Do this for two minutes or more. 
• Practice yoga. To open and balance your third-eye chakra, practice poses where the forehead is pressed down including child’s pose or dolphin’s pose. 
• Maintain a healthy diet. Incorporate healthy, whole foods into your diet.
• Employ high-vibrational and energy healing practices such as Reiki, aromatherapy, crystals, and sound therapy. Focus on the intention of soothing and balancing the third-eye chakra.
• Embrace compassion and forgiveness. 
• Use stones to help you focus on your throat chakra. Stones associated with this chakra include amethyst, purple fluorite, and black obsidian. Moonstone is also associated with this chakra.
• Use essential oils to connect with your throat chakra. Essential oils associated with this chakra include frankincense, cedar, spruce, pine, rose, rosemary, clary sage, oregano, marjoram, thyme, and lavender. 

The more in tune you become with your emotions and physical body, the easier it will be for you to sense when your chakra is out of balance. Becoming aware when you are experiencing imbalance will make it easier for you to intentionally apply tools to help you regain your balance. 

When the third-eye chakra is balanced, you are able to see life more accurately. You will have trust in your intuition and the wisdom to know what you want in life, along with a plan on how you intend to get there.