The third eye chakra is the energy center in our body responsible for reality, perception, manifesting, thought, and intuition.
According to yogic philosophy, the third eye is connected to duality which is a type of perception that opposes reality and is created solely by the mind. Once the third eye chakra is in harmony with the rest of the chakras, it is said that a doorway towards spiritual enlightenment is opened.
When our third eye chakra is clean and balanced, we see life with clarity and possess strong intuition, insight, self-awareness, and emotional balance.
On the other hand, when our third eye chakra is blocked or imbalanced, we tend to struggle with problems such as closed-mindedness, cynicism, anxiety, depression, paranoia, and various other mental illnesses and mood disorders.
If you think you might have a blocked third eye chakra, think back to your childhood. Were you raised in a closed-minded family? Was freethinking encouraged in your childhood, or were you conditioned to “obey without questioning”? Was your early life environment emotionally stable? Did you parents or caretakers value your insights and perspectives? If not, you probably struggle with third eye chakra issues as a result of your childhood conditioning.
Don’t worry, this guide will help you initiate your own unique process of third eye chakra healing.
Table of contents
What is the Third Eye Chakra?
The third eye chakra, or Ajna, is the energy center within our bodies that is responsible for intuition, imagination, thought, and self-awareness. Located in the middle of the forehead just above the eyes, the third eye chakra is associated with the color indigo and the pineal gland within the brain. This chakra helps to regulate the energy associated with insight and wisdom.
What is Third Eye Chakra Healing?
Third eye chakra healing is the practice of cleansing, opening, and balancing the third eye chakra within our bodies. Third eye chakra healing employs a wide range of holistic healing remedies to bring alignment to the body, mind, and spirit. These remedies include practices such as meditation, mindfulness, color therapy, sound healing, yoga, self-inquiry, aromatherapy, and many others.
24 Signs of an Unhealthy Third Eye Chakra
The best way to tell whether you need to undergo third eye chakra healing is to pay attention to your thoughts, feelings, actions, and physical sensations within your body.
Here are some signs to look out for:
- You rarely feel creative or inspired by anything
- You ignore listening to your intuition
- You are overly logical or overly emotional
- You become absorbed by the details but struggle to see the “bigger picture”
- You’re often lost in your thoughts
- You habitually escape into daydreaming to avoid reality
- You are egotistically attached to special “powers” (ability to see visions, clairsentience, etc.)
- You are emotionally reactive and get upset easily
- You’re addicted to external things which you believe will make you happy (relationships, food, sex, money, status, shopping, etc.)
- You struggle to see reality clearly (see mental distortions)
- You can’t seem to connect to your deeper self or Soul
- Your interactions with other people are very trivial or superficial
- You mistrust or dislike people easily
- You have rigid opinions about the world that you aren’t willing to change
- You are stubborn
- You find it hard to be open-minded
- You might be perceived as arrogant and opinionated, OR …
- You might be perceived as being dreamy and ungrounded
- You suffer from frequent headaches or migraines
- You have a dense and heavy ego
- You’re strongly attached to outcomes
- You lack focus and decisiveness
- You suffer from vision problems and sinus issues
- You suffer from delusions/mental illness
How many of these signs can you relate to?
Do You Have a Deficient or Excessive Third Eye Chakra Blockage?
Did you know that there are actually two types of chakra imbalances?
While a deficient third eye chakra is passive or energetically “numb,” an excessive third eye chakra is energetically aggressive or manic.
Here’s a breakdown of the difference between the two:
Deficient = lifeless, sluggish, passive, blocked, inwards (not enough energy flows in).
Excessive = lively, agitated, reactive, aggressive, outwards (too much energy flows in).
Therefore, if you have a deficient third eye chakra, you will be more prone to issues such as dreaminess, ungroundedness, and mental confusion. On the other hand, if you have an excessive third eye chakra you will be prone to narrow-mindedness, cynicism, and arrogance.
The question is, what type of imbalance do you have? It’s also possible to fall somewhere in the middle.
22 Third Eye Chakra Healing Practices
So what does a healthy and balanced third eye chakra look and feel like?
When you have a clear and harmonious third eye chakra, you are calm, self-aware, and possess foresight. You are not controlled or limited by the mind, and you find it easy to distinguish truth from illusion. You will also be much more insightful and understanding of yourself, other people, and life in general. Intuition will flow effortlessly to you as you make wise decisions that are grounded in reality, not fantasy.
Once you have opened and balanced your third eye, you will also find it easier to be objective and less fixated on your limited beliefs. As a result, life will take on a more fluid and vibrant quality which will help you to be more creative and spontaneous. You will be able to see life from a bird’s eye view which will give you wisdom and compassion. Spiritually speaking, you will be able to access mystical states of being much more easily, such as the feeling of timelessness and boundlessness that comes with ego death. Some people even report developing gifts such as clairvoyance after working on this energy center.
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This all sounds very exciting, doesn’t it! But please understand that chakra healing can take time because it is a process of inner growth. Sometimes many things within us have to change before we seek the clarity we’ve been looking for. So be prepared to make changes and keep an open heart.
Here are twenty-two third eye chakra healing practices out there which will help you balance this energy center:
1. Explore different perspectives and viewpoints
Best suited to: excessive blockages
One big problem associated with a blocked third eye chakra is being rigid and closed-minded. To overcome this problem, try reading books, watching new programs or experimenting with activities outside of your comfort zone. Even if it feels a little weird at first, try to be curious about other perspectives and ways of life.
2. Decalcify your pineal gland
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Your pineal gland is a tiny pea-shaped mass within the brain that is linked to third eye chakra blockages. While the pineal gland is responsible for regulating our sleep cycles and reproductive hormones, it also has more mystical roots. Many ancient cultures such as the ancient Tibetan, Egyptian, and Chinese believed that the pineal gland is responsible for spiritual consciousness. To decalcify your pineal gland, try to avoid products and water sources that contain fluoride.
3. Ground yourself with mindfulness
Best suited to: deficient blockages
Our third eye functions the best when it is grounded in reality. Otherwise, we get lost in fantasy and delusion very easily. Try to practice being present with whatever arises in your daily life. Focusing on your breath helps a lot.
4. Get out into the sunlight
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
As the element of the third eye chakra is light, you might find your mind becoming much clearer if you get outside a bit more. If you live in a dark or cold climate, you might like to try light therapy if getting natural sunlight isn’t much of an option. On a physical level, light awakens the pineal gland which improves the function of the third eye.
5. Use the following herbs
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Use herbs such as mugwort, star anise, saffron, basil, jasmine, lavender, passionflower, rosemary, and blue lotus. You can diffuse these herbs, burn them as incense, apply them topically (in a diluted form), or consume them.
6. Explore your limiting beliefs
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
One major cause of third eye malfunction is limiting core beliefs. Core beliefs are the central convictions we have about ourselves which cause us to feel fear, insecurity, and self-loathing. Common core beliefs include “I am not worth it,” “I’m a bad person,” and “I deserve to be punished.” By uncovering your hidden core beliefs, you might save yourself from attending years of therapy (not to mention improved mental health). Read more about core beliefs.
7. Hum or chant the sound “OM”
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
This sound matches the vibration of the third eye chakra. Try drawing out the letters into sounds, such as “ommmmmmmmmm” or “auuuummmmmm.” You might also like to listen to binaural beats (a form of music healing therapy) which helps to activate and clear all the chakras through alternating sound waves. Try these chakra healing songs.
8. Go on a psychedelic shamanic journey
Best suited to: excessive blockages
Under the guidance of a trained shaman or spiritual guide, try a sacred form of plant medicine such as peyote, ayahuasca or psilocybin mushrooms. These sacred plants help to open the third eye and balance the entire energy system. Often, during these sacred trips, many great and profound truths are revealed.
9. Eat more of these foods
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Introduce more of the following fruit and vegetables into your diet which all resonate with the third eye chakra: prunes, dates, blackberries, blueberries, figs, raisins, eggplant, purple cabbage, purple kale, purple carrots, and purple potatoes.
10. Contact the owl spirit guide
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
The owl is the symbolic and totemic animal of the third eye chakra. In order to contact Owl, think about what you need help the most with. You may contact this spirit guide through self-induced trance states, meditation, visualization or prayer.
11. Reflect on all that you think and do
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Self-reflection is an important skill to develop, and it helps to increase your self-awareness. Try reflecting on your thoughts and feelings in a private journal each day. Try to dissect why you believe certain things and behave in various ways.
12. Try star-gazing and moon-gazing
Best suited to: excessive blockages
Gazing into the night sky is a simple but awe-inspiring way to put everything in perspective. Staring at the moon and stars tends to open the mind and help you to transcend the cage of thought.
13. Use essential oils
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Use oils such as patchouli, frankincense, clary sage, sandalwood, juniper, and vetiver. You can put these oils into an oil diffuser, rub them on your wrist (in a diluted form), or wear them in a diffusing pendant.
14. Become an observer of your thoughts
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Try Vipassana meditation, which is a type of meditation that involves learning how to watch your mind, and observe your thoughts. The number one reason why the third eye chakra gets blocked is that we believe the thoughts in our head and therefore identify with them. When we learn how to simply observe our thoughts, we can discover that thoughts are very temporary and spontaneous: they don’t mean anything about us unless we assign them meaning.
15. Do a third eye chakra visualization
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Imagine a throbbing or swirling ball of luminescent indigo light in your third chakra area. Feel the ball of indigo energy dissolving all blockages, sluggishness, or aggressive flows of energy within you. You might also like to try the violet flame meditation, which is a powerful way to enhance your spiritual awareness.
16. Practice scrying
Best suited to: excessive blockages
Scrying is an ancient art of revelation. Traditionally, scrying has been portrayed through the popular image of the psychic woman gazing into her crystal ball. However, scrying can be used with bowls of water, mirrors, and other objects. Scrying is essentially a practice that helps you to develop your inner vision or “second sight.” Read this step-by-step guide on scrying (with instructional pictures).
17. Pay attention to your dreams
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Your dreams are richly symbolic in nature and express your unconscious fears, desires, and needs. The third eye is responsible for helping you to interpret your dreams, so practice reflecting on your dreams each morning for about ten to fifteen minutes. Remember, dream dictionaries cannot provide you with the precise and nuanced meanings you need. Although it’s tempting to use one, see if you can try and discover the meaning carried within your dreams by yourself. Often important lessons and messages are conveyed within the dream world.
18. Use crystals
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Use crystals as energetic totems that will help you balance your third eye chakra energy. Try meditating or carrying crystals such as shungite, sapphire, lapis lazuli, kyanite, labradorite, and amethyst.
19. Supportive affirmations
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Every day, infuse your mind with supportive and loving affirmations. Try to choose a statement that you sincerely resonate with. Here are a few examples, “I create my reality,” “I trust my intuition,” “I see with clarity,” “I connect with the wisdom of the universe,” “It is safe for me to see the truth,” “I trust in myself,” “My mind and heart are in perfect balance.”
20. Harmonize your energy with yoga
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Balance your third eye chakra by doing yoga stretches such as standing forward bend (uttanasana), dolphin pose, child’s pose, and head-to-knee pose (janu sirsasana).
21. Wear indigo!
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Wearing and surrounding yourself with the color indigo is a wonderfully simple way to stimulate your third eye chakra.
22. Candle gazing
Best suited to: deficient and excessive blockages
Candle gazing, also called Trataka in Hatha Yoga, is a powerful way to open your third eye by simply looking into the flame of a candle. Try to incorporate mindful breathing into this practice to stimulate energy flow within your body. Light a candle and place it three to four feet in front of you at eye level. Keep your vision focused on the flame in a gentle and natural way.
If you’re wanting a few more tips on how to work with your third eye chakra, I wrote another article called How to Open Your Third Eye and Awaken Your Extrasensory Gifts which you might like to check out!
Final Advice
After reading all this information, you might be wondering what you should do next.
I recommend picking a handful of activities from the list above that you’re naturally drawn to. Make sure you identify whether you have a deficient or excessive chakra blockage (or a mixture), and choose accordingly. Experiment with each point for a couple of weeks and observe how you feel.
Tell me, do you have any other third eye chakra healing tips? Please share below!
To read more about chakra healing, check out my other articles and test in this series:
- Root Chakra Healing Guide
- Sacral Chakra Healing Guide
- Solar Plexus Chakra Healing Guide
- Heart Chakra Healing Guide
- Throat Chakra Healing Guide
- Crown Chakra Healing Guide
- Free Chakra Test – How Balanced Are You?
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How can I open my third eye
I thought I’d add more suggestions of terms/phrases to google to explore each chakra, as a continuation of my comment series on the chakra series posts. This time, it’s for the third eye chakra. 1. How to develop intuition 2. How to listen to your gut feelings 3. Psychology of intuition (There is actually scientific studies on the accuracy of intuition, but the belief is that this comes from unconscious observations of your environment, not a spiritual source, like your Higher Self, a Higher Power, or spirit guides.) 4. Intuition quotes / Gut feeling quotes / Instinct quotes 5. Books on intuition 6. Intuition vs fear / Intuition vs anxiety / Intuition vs insecurity / Intuition vs paranoia 7. How to develop a vision / How to visualize your goals 8. Books on visualization 9. Affirmations on intuition 10. Intuition journal prompts 11. How to be more of a visual thinker / How to improve visual thinking 12. Aphantasia (The condition of not being able to visualize images in your mind. If so, visualize with the other 4 senses in your head, or use external images in a virtual/physical vision board to focus on) 13. How to practice visualization meditation… Read more »
What does it mean when the third eye pulses?
Lizard energy attachment issue
Hello brothers and sisters and fellow beings and souls,
Namaste and sat nam,
Blessings to you all.
There seems to be a challenge for me these days which I am in urgent need to overcome and I hope there might be someone here who can support me so please feel free to give me suggestions on how to manage this!
I am experiencing a lizard energy attachment either to my crown or third eye chakra. There is also some issues for me with my sacral chakra.
Do you have any suggestions on how to clear this out on a low budget on my own?
With love and light!
Very accepting Article. This Is really Useful And kind Information.
I would also recommend group hugs with spiritual people. :-)
Hey aletheia, your article really spoke to me. I used to be a part of an extremely spiritual group of pentecostals. Since then my third eye and crown chakras have been WAY overactive (to the point of being unhealthy) whereas all the other ones are closed/underactive. Im extremely closed to social interaction and can’t express my true emotions, whereas before I was very likeable, literally everyone at school liked me, though i was close to only a few people (throat), can’t really form relationships because of low self esteem, despite me having no reason to have low self esteem, I did well in college, have a good income, savings, tall, handsome, a family that loves me… (solar plex), and since my last GF i no longer feel I can truly love (heart), etc etc. I have all these amazing ideas and insights, things that might take people a lifetime to deduce through normal methods, but the depression and apathy is really taking a toll, i see little purpose in life other than living for my relatives, I will let nothing happen to them…over my dead body :). Should I try to shut off my connection to insight and the divine?… Read more »
I am in a very difficult time in my life, I am 17 years old. After reading a good number of your articles for a good amount of time I only have to say: So much pain and horror during my childhood (Don’t have time to go down to the details for this whole paragraph) that I have a huge Shadow and I mean HUGE: I can barely feel my insides right now. I HATE anger. I HATE being vulnerable; crying, I am an empathic narcissist albeit a precognitive one. I am a people-pleaser. My only way to escape all those horrors in childhood, even right now as I have been abused by a narcissistic friend whom I currently am still clinging on to deep down, food. I am currently obese with emotional eating issues. I have dreamt of many events before they happened. I have dreamt of me killing my narcissistic friend due to rage. It was a wake up call for me. I have to admit, I believed in precognition so much so that I believed my dreams about killing him. It got to the point of having multiple nervous and psychotic breakdowns, no really. I think you… Read more »
Beautiful You Are Knowledge You Have Wisdom Born from Knowledge Step OFF Wisdom and into Who You Truly Are ❤ Why Don’t WE all just Wake our Sleepy Self Up…and ASK ourselves the Question… ♀️ ‘What is it that Suffers IN Me … When… i …Am Suffering or Is joyful When Experiencing Happiness’ ? ♀️ Answer… My Body Ego ‘What is my ego’ ? A Reflection of Your Soul ‘What is My Soul’ ? ⭐️ A Beautiful Mirror that Reflects God … The SOURCE of this Reflection IS the True YOU… But You Have Forgotten This Due to Believing You are Your Body… ego and Soul. ⭐️ If Believe you Do ? YOU… are an OLD Soul ⭐️…and Seek Your Way Home … ? ‘What is My Body’ ? An ILLUSION… Created by this Physical Universe. ☀️ ‘What is The Physical Universe’ ? An ILLUSION created by God. ❤ ‘What Is God’ ? The I… In YOU… That Has Silently Watched You all your Life ‘What IS this I’ ? The Source ❤ ‘So What is God’ ? I AM ❤ There is no Answer to the Question … Is there a God ? God there is … if Believe… Read more »