The third eye chakra, called Ajna in Sanskrit, is the sixth chakra in the seven-chakra system. It sits between the eyebrows, slightly above them, and is the symbolic center of intuition, clarity and inner sight. If the first three chakras ground you and the heart and throat connect you to others, the third eye teaches you to see: beyond appearances, beyond fear, beyond what others tell you that you should see.
In this article you will learn what Ajna represents, its color, symbol and mantra, which experiences are symbolically associated with a blocked or overactive chakra, and how to balance it with simple practices. If you are mainly interested in techniques for opening your intuition, I have gathered them separately in opening the third eye: spiritual techniques.
What is the third eye chakra
In the Indian tantric yoga tradition, chakras are described as centers of a “subtle body”, not as anatomical organs. Ajna means “command” or “perception” in Sanskrit and is described in the texts translated by Arthur Avalon as a lotus with two petals, located between the eyebrows. It is the place where, symbolically, the two main energy channels, Ida and Pingala, meet the central channel.
In short, Ajna at a glance:
- Location: between the eyebrows, in the center of the forehead;
- Color: indigo (deep blue leaning toward violet);
- Symbol: a circle with two petals, often with an inverted triangle and the syllable OM;
- Mantra (bija): OM (AUM);
- Theme: “I see”, “I know” — intuition, discernment, imagination, understanding;
- Gland associated in the spiritual map: the pineal gland (in some systems, the pituitary).
The association with the pineal gland belongs to modern spiritual systems and to Theosophy; it is not an anatomical description and does not mean that a meditation changes how a gland works. For an overview of all the chakras, see the 7 chakras: a complete guide.
Experiences symbolically associated with a blocked third eye chakra
In the language of the chakras, a “blocked” or underactive Ajna is linked to experiences such as:
- you do not trust your intuition and always ask for other people’s opinions before any decision;
- you only see what is “concrete” and reject anything that cannot be proven;
- you feel confused, without direction, as if in a fog;
- you repeat the same patterns without seeing the connection between them;
- you lack imagination and a vision for the future;
- you do not remember your dreams or you give them no meaning.
Overactive third eye chakra
There is also the opposite. An “overactive” Ajna is symbolically associated with:
- thoughts that never stop, endless analysis;
- living more in visions, signs and interpretations than in everyday life;
- a tendency to see hidden messages in everything;
- the feeling of being “above” others because you “see more”;
- difficulty focusing on the here and now.
In this case, balance does not come from “more opening” but from grounding: working with the root chakra, movement, nature, routine.
Important: these lists are symbolic associations, used for reflection. They are not a diagnosis. Persistent headaches, vision problems, insomnia, confusion or overwhelming thoughts deserve to be assessed by a doctor or a psychologist, without waiting for a meditation to take effect. If you want to see which chakra is calling for your attention, you can take the chakra test as a self-observation exercise.
How to balance the third eye chakra
1. Silence and meditation
Intuition can only be heard when it is quiet. For a few minutes a day, close your eyes, breathe calmly and let your attention settle gently in the area between your eyebrows, without forcing and without frowning.
2. A dream and intuition journal
Keep a notebook by your bed. In the morning, write down what you remember from your dreams and, during the day, the first impressions you have about people and situations. After a few weeks, read it again: you will see when intuition was speaking and when fear was.
3. The color indigo
A candle, a scarf, a painting in shades of indigo, or visualizing an indigo light between your eyebrows are simple ways to reconnect with the theme of this chakra.
4. The OM mantra
Chanted slowly, with the vibration felt in the head, the OM mantra is traditionally used for Ajna. Repeat it 7 or 21 times, then sit in silence for a few moments.
5. Gentle yoga poses
Poses in which the forehead rests or bows forward — child’s pose (balasana), the seated forward bend — are associated with this chakra. Do them only within your body’s limits and stop if you feel dizzy or in pain.
6. Alternate nostril breathing
Alternate nostril breathing (nadi shodhana) symbolically links the two channels, Ida and Pingala, which meet at Ajna. Breathe in through one nostril and out through the other, without holding your breath and without forcing. Stop if you feel dizzy.
7. Scents and crystals
Oils with clear, woody or resinous scents — frankincense, sandalwood, lavender, rosemary — are often chosen for Ajna; I have described them in essential oils for the third eye chakra. Among crystals, amethyst, lapis lazuli, sodalite and fluorite are traditionally associated with it; see the full list in crystals for the chakras.
Affirmations for the third eye chakra
- “I trust my inner voice.”
- “I see clearly what is true for me.”
- “I am open to understanding and wisdom.”
- “I choose with discernment, not with fear.”
- “My imagination creates new paths.”
Choose a single affirmation and repeat it daily for a month, instead of changing it every day.
A short meditation for the third eye chakra
- Sit comfortably, with your back straight, in a quiet place.
- Close your eyes and take three deep breaths.
- Feel the soles of your feet on the ground: before you rise, you anchor yourself.
- Gently bring your attention between your eyebrows. Imagine a calm indigo light there.
- With each inhale, the light becomes clearer; with each exhale, the fog lifts.
- Ask yourself silently: “What do I need to see now?” And do not search for the answer; let it come or not come.
- Say OM three times.
- Bring your attention back to your breath, to your body, to the soles of your feet. Open your eyes and write down what you felt.
The meditation lasts five to ten minutes. Better short and daily than long and rare.
Deeper work: unbinding work on the third eye chakra
Sometimes you do not trust what you see because you were taught not to: “that’s not how it is”, “you’re imagining things”, “be quiet”. For those who want to work deeply on these patterns, the book Third Eye Chakra – Complete Unbinding for Intuition, Clarity, Discernment and Inner Vision gathers the unbinding work and exercises on this theme. For work on all the centers, see Complete Unbinding and Cleansing of the 7 Chakras or the guide blocked chakras: 7 signs.
Frequently asked questions
What color is the third eye chakra?
Indigo, a deep blue leaning toward violet. The crown, the seventh chakra, is associated with violet and white.
What is the difference between the third eye and the crown chakra?
The third eye is inner sight and discernment; the crown is the connection with the divine and with the whole. I have written about the latter in the crown chakra.
Is it dangerous to open your third eye?
There is nothing dramatic about the gentle practices described here. The problem arises when you force things, skip grounding or live only in “visions”. If intense fear, insomnia or the feeling of losing touch with reality appear, stop the practice and seek professional help.
How long does it take to feel a change?
There is no set timeframe. What you usually notice, with consistent practice, is more attention to yourself, to your dreams and to first impressions. That is the sign that matters.
Sources
Checked on 12 November 2026.
