6th Chakra- Breaking Through Illusions

The 6th Chakra is known as “Ajna” in Sanskrit translating as “to perceive and command.” Located between the eyebrows, the 6th Chakra or “third eye” coordinates the functions of the eyes including the gift of sight. Through the physical eyes we take in and perceive images from the outside to create an internal map of the world around us. Our mind’s eye gleans insight from dreams, unconscious images, intuitions and creative visualizations so we may command or create our reality. Seeing fills our brain with the element of light shining the truth of our spirit into our consciousness. The third eye also governs the functions of the pineal gland, a light sensitive organ that monitors our relationship to the sun, to light. We can use light to help us transcend physical limitations or beliefs of the mind. By engaging our intuition with our mind’s eye, we can break through illusions and “see into the windows of the soul”. This chakra challenges us to deeply examine the beliefs we invest our energies in: Can you believe that your life has purpose and meaning beyond what you can see? Can you see the way ahead is clear? Can you close your eyes to see? Can you see auras? Self-doubt often prevents us from seeing what is true--what has always been right there in front of our eyes. Build trust, strength, and compassion for your intuition as you practice opening the 6th Chakra with the following exercises:

Stretching the Eyes
In a seated position close your eyes until you feel relaxed. Once you are ready open eyes and gaze straight ahead. As you breathe in look up and as you breathe out look down. Return your gaze straight ahead, close your eyes, pause and relax. Open eyes again and gaze straight ahead. As you breathe in look left and as you breathe out look right. Return gaze straight ahead, close your eyes, pause and relax. Open eyes and gaze straight ahead. As you breathe in look up and as you breathe out roll eyes toward the right in a clockwise direction reaching the bottom of your out-breath as you’re looking down. Inhale beginning to move towards the left completing the circle at the end of your in-breath by looking up. Repeat three times in both clockwise and then counter-clockwise directions moving with your breath. Return your gaze straight ahead. Clap hands together and rub until warm, place warm hands over eyes, close your eyes, pause and relax as you block all light out with your palms. This exercise stretches the eye muscles, relaxes the optic nerve, and can improve the clarity of your sight.

Color Meditation
Begin in a seated position on the floor or in a chair. Close your eyes and allow your breathe to be even. Imagine a shining disk of bright white light floating directly above your head, holding color which you can pull from.
When you are ready breathe in and pull down a color from the disk through your crown and down your spine. Start with the first Chakra and the color red. For example:
Breathe in and pull the color red down through the top of your head, along your spine and fill the base of your spine (1st Chakra) with red. Rest and notice how this color feels. Energized? Uncomfortable?
Continue for each chakra until all wheels are spinning with light and color:
1st chakra- Red
2nd chakra- Orange
3rd chakra- Yellow
4th chakra-Green
5th chakra- Blue
6th chakra- Indigo
7th chakra-Violet
Once you are complete check each chakra to see if they are retaining their color. Which is brightest? Strongest? Pale? Or weak? The colors that feel easy to see are most likely places of strength. The colors that are most difficult to see may represent areas of challenge. Work at balancing the colors and seeing your body as a continuous rainbow.

“Change how you see, not how you look”-Unknown