A Recap of the Chakras
This month, we’re focusing on the sixth chakra, Ajna, or our Third Eye.
Chakra is the Sanskrit word for “wheel.” The seven chakras as we know them are a modern Western interpretation of an ancient concept from Hinduism. However, there are parallel ideas and observations from healing systems and healers across cultures and time periods. The chakras are energy centers in and around the body. Each corresponds to a color and specific parts of the body. It also corresponds to particular mental and emotional experiences. These beautiful wheels of color are a brilliant way of illustrating the inseparable mind-body connection in human health and wellness. In this series, we’ll be exploring each chakra and holistic approaches to caring for them.
Ajna
The Third Eye chakra may well be the best known among them. The beautiful and sometimes mysterious Ajna rests between the eyes just above the brow line. An indigo two-petaled lotus flower serves as a representation of this chakra. In its center sits a downward pointing triangle along with the familiar Sanskrit “om.” It connects us directly to our intuition and is the gateway of our perception. This is the last in the seven chakra system to correspond with the physical body, and its themes show the shift toward the spiritual. It draws information downward from the source to be negotiated and understood by the two sides of the brain.
People usually associate this chakra with extrasensory perception as it represents the faculty to “see” beyond what we can with the naked eye. Ajna is the chakra of choice for exercises designed to strengthen intuition. A balanced Third Eye allows a person to receive messages clearly, interpret them accurately, and act on them from a place of understanding. Imbalance in this chakra can affect our perception of the world around us, our mental health, and stress levels in our body.
Body
Third Eye and the brain
Ajna’s seat on the brow helps us to draw a connection to several structures within the brain. Notably, the pituitary gland which is located near the base of the brain consists of two lobes, just like the petals of Ajna chakra. This gland controls some of the body’s most important functions, like metabolism, growth, and sexual function. It does so by producing hormones that act on other glands and organs throughout the body, like the thyroid and nervous system.
Helping to regulate those hormones is the hypothalamus, another structure associated with Ajna. This structure receives messages from the nervous system about conditions throughout the body and prompts the appropriate hormonal response. For instance, when a mother hugs her child, the hypothalamus tells the pituitary gland to release oxytocin, a chemical which creates a sense of wellbeing and is essential to bonding.
Some people also draw connections between the Third Eye and the pineal gland, a pinecone shaped structure in the center of the brain. This gland releases melatonin and helps your body govern its circadian rhythm, or sleep and wake cycles. While the jury is still out on these claims, some people assert that this gland is also where a chemical called DMT, which is thought to be a main psychoactive component of dreaming, is released.
Other organs
Perhaps the most obvious physical connection to the Third Eye is our eyes, of course. Other sensory organs like the ears are also within its domain. Through them, we receive impressions about the world. When Ajna is out of balance, associated physical symptoms include headaches, vision and hearing problems, and disordered sleep.
Exercises
Some physical exercises that can help to balance the Third Eye include Child’s pose, during which your forehead can rest on the mat, a block, or bolster. In this position, gently rocking your head from side to side creates a nice massage.
Certain yoga poses like shoulderstand and headstand can be useful ways to invert your perspective and clear some of the obstacles from your Third Eye, but these poses are contraindicated for many conditions including high blood pressure and pregnancy. Because they put pressure on the delicate area of the neck, they should never be practiced without first receiving guidance from an experienced yoga teacher.
Fasting
Fasting is another physical practice that can focus your body’s attention on the upper chakras. It gives your body a chance to clear out, digest, and repair rather than expending effort on breaking down and processing food. It also gives your brain a break from the ups and downs of chemicals like sugar, caffeine, and alcohol in your diet. Before engaging in a fast, make sure you don’t have any contraindicated conditions. You should always start slow. Try fasting from sun-up to sun-down one day and build from there. Always make sure you are staying hydrated, as much of your normal water intake actually comes from the food you eat.
Mind and Spirit
Effects of Stress
Ajna is inextricably bound to stress and a person’s mental health. Our perception of the world around us tells our brain whether or not we’re safe. Our brain then sends signals through our body that tell us how to respond. When our autonomic nervous system has been hijacked by stress, our bodies can stay in overdrive for much longer than is healthy.
If our brain believes we’re in trouble, increased heart rate and blood pressure come with the release of hormones like cortisol which create a lot of wear and tear on our brains and body over time. And it’s not just physical threats that send us into fight or flight. Interpersonal conflict can play a role, as can passively receiving stress-inducing signals from our media diet.
Mental wellness
That’s why supporting our Third Eye chakra creates a space for increased mental wellness. If you’ve ever felt “stuck in your head” or struggled with ruminating thoughts that make it hard for you to make a decision or see a situation clearly, you may have realized that your upper chakras aren’t very useful when the lower ones aren’t in balance. So one of the best things you can do to take care of your Third Eye is to first take care of your body and environment and create safe boundaries in your relationships.
Think of your Third Eye as a receiver. If it takes in a bunch of information without structure to conduct and ground it, it will just bounce all over the place creating chaos in your mind. Similarly, if it comes in through a filter that clouds it with a particular assumption, it’s impossible to determine a message’s objective meaning. For these reasons, we recommend grounding exercises to situate yourself deeply in your body before working on your intuition. Try doing body scans to fully acquaint yourself with sensations in every part of your body, or take a moment to touch base with each of your senses.
Meditation
Meditation is the best way to activate your Third Eye. Start with short sessions if you aren’t already in a practice, and build it slowly. Try tapping your forehead in the space of Ajna before a session. You may find that as you get deeper into a practice, new ideas come to you.
Some people have great success doing yoga, running, or swimming to clear the mind. Working through things physically can open you up to new insights. Try keeping a dream journal. They connect you to your unconscious mind, which picks up, untangles, and weaves together signals from outside ourselves.
Additional Support
The Third Eye is by far the most susceptible chakra to substance abuse. There are all sorts of chemical options for changing your perspective and sense of reality. There’s an endless list of mind altering drugs, starting with everyday intoxicants like caffeine, nicotine, cannabis, sugar, and alcohol. You can even use breathwork, heat, and cold to change your brain chemistry.
Having said that, we recommend options that give your brain a nutritious boost rather than changing the way it functions or depleting much-needed neurotransmitters. Adaptogens are a special type of chemical found in plants that help your body better respond to stress. Several have been recommended by herbalists for brain health. Many are even being studied for their effects on neurological diseases like dementia, Parkinson’s, and more.
Lion’s mane is a favorite choice for improving the brain’s firing. This is why it’s often featured in mushroom coffee blends and energy drinks. Cordyceps is another favorite from the world of fungi, increasing blood oxygen levels.
Tulsi, or holy basil, reduces inflammation as well as anxiety and depression. Ginseng offers memory protection. Ashwagandha is used to promote mental wellbeing by helping to soothe anxiety and stress. Turmeric is a standard for depression.
Blends like Calm Adapt from Herbalist & Alchemist combine adaptogens like these in perfect proportion to help keep your Third Eye feeling healthy. Come to the Apothecary for this and other recommendations from our staff.
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