The Sixth Chakra AJNA

Ajna or Third eye Chakra is located in the middle of the forehead.

It is the Sixth energy centre and it is responsible for conscious perception. Ajna helps a person to develop a conscious perception of the surrounding world. It detriments the functioning of the mind and memory. Thanks to Ajna, a person can go to his subconscious, listen to intuitive feelings.

Also, the Third Eye Chakra is associated with the pineal gland that’s in charge of regulating biorhythms, including sleep and wake time, and also with the pituitary gland, eyes, head, and lower part of the brain.

Ajna helps to understand the clues of the Universe and correctly respond to its non-verbal messages. It controls the harmony of the hemispheres of the brain. In other words, its function is to control the fact that emotions and mind do not overlap but are complementary to each other. In addition, the physical well-being of a person, his ability to concentrate and development of wisdom all depend on the state of Ajna.

Often, the opening of Ajna is accompanied by a crisis. It resembles with what happens when the Throat Chakra awakens. The person comes to the understanding that his personality is not fully expressed. Such a crisis becomes a stage of the incipience of a new reality. The possessor of the harmonious Ajna begins to pay much more attention to the surrounding world, to the other people, to his development. Moreover, the last point concerns not only physical and mental self-perfection, but also spiritual. One has a desire for complete harmony.

The ability to analyze emotions and thoughts helps a person to sift others' and unnecessary. We all have moments when others try to impose something on us. It can be attitude to a specific problem, feelings for one or another person. When Ajna is revealed one is able to understand what thoughts and emotions coming from outside suit him, and which cause disharmony in the soul and the heart. One sees and understands the laws of the development of the Universe.

And this is very important. As soon as one begins to realize the arrangement of the Universe, one’s life starts to make sense. In this case, the desires of the Universe become our desires. One’s life no longer runs counter to the wisdom of the World. And this gives a sense of harmony and happiness.

When this Energy Centre is in balance/unblocked

• One has developed intelligence and good thinking abilities. He achieves considerable success in the research activity;
• One easily establishes contacts with strangers and establishes positive social ties;
• One has a very good intuition;
• One has an excellent imagination and the ability to visualize;
• One has the ability to view everything from all angles; that allows him not to judge and take appropriate actions;
• One will perceive the world with love. It will bring the harmony in one’s life.

When Anahata is imbalanced, it can manifest as

• a person perceives the surrounding world and his life only rationalistically - through logic and intellect. He tends to put life in order (both his and others), by logic;
• Such people believe only in what can be seen, touched;
• One starts to “fly in the clouds”. He breaks away from the real world, becomes unable to make the right decisions.
• One confuses imagination with intuition. His imagination becomes even brighter than reality. A person goes into his imaginary world and spends most of his time in it, becoming more and more infantile.
• One does not really understand what happens to him and why. This leads to anxiety and fear of the future.

Useful Techniques

To activate and balance the AJNA CHAKRA

1. A great  breathing technique called Brahmari or the Bee Breath
   1. Bring both hands to your face.
   2. Place the two middle fingers over your eyes.
   3. Allow the index fingers to rest on the eyebrow line and the pinkie fingers under the cheekbones.
   4. Close your ears with your thumbs.
   5. Take a deep inhalation and exhale the word AUM with the emphasis on the “M” sound while creating a buzzing sound like a bee.

   Do this for one or three minutes or more. You can alleviate tension in the head and it works to open the sixth chakra.

2. Active Kundalini meditation for balance and activation your third eye chakra.
   1. Bend your elbows, make fists with both hands
   2. Squeeze your shoulder blades and pool your bend elbows behind your back
   3. Cross your arms in front of your chest (keep your fists clenched)
   4. Squeeze your shoulder blades and pool your bend elbows behind your back
   5. Bring your arms up towards your head, bending your elbows
   6. Repeat 1,2, 3,4 movement – move your arms rapidly

   Do this for one or three minutes or more.

3. Trataka - Concentration on a Point or on the Flame of a Candle
   1. Sit on the chair or on your yoga mat with your spine straight;
   2. Place a candle in front of you. It should be about an arm length away and somewhat on the level of your eyes;
   3. Close your eyes. Mentally scan your body, realise if it’s any tension, stiffness in any part of your body; relax it;
   4. Open your eyes and look at the candle flame. Concentrate on the tip of the brightest part of the flame. Gaze for approximately one minute (no longer) at the flame – during this do not blink – and then close your eyes again;
      Do not worry if your eyes water – it is purification.. If at any point your eyes start to burn and become painful then look at the candle for a shorter period of time;
      The image of the flame may appear in your inner space when you close your eyes. If this does not happen, relax and try again after a few minutes;
   5. Gaze at the flame three times altogether for about one minute each time; after each time close your eyes and observe your inner space and the reflection of the flame for about 4-5 minutes.

   Practise this meditation on a candle each evening before sleeping.
   Benefits of Trataka: it is an excellent practice for

   • purification of the eyes;
   • frontal sinuses and nasal sinuses;
   • quietening thoughts;
   • promoting the ability to concentrate and relax;
   • developing clear thinking and intuition and awakening the Ajna Chakra.