In Taoism and many traditional Chinese religious sects such as Chan (a
cousin to the Zen
school), "third eye training" involves focusing attention on the point
between the eyebrows with the eyes closed, and while the body is in
various qigong
postures. The goal of this training is to allow students to tune into
the correct "vibration" of the universe and gain a solid foundation on
which to reach more advanced meditation levels.
Taoism teaches that the
third eye, also called the mind's eye
is situated between the two physical eyes, and expands up to the middle
of the forehead when opened. Taoism claims that the third eye is one of
the main energy centers of the body located at the sixth chakra forming
a part of the main meridian, the line separating left and right
hemispheres of the body. In Taoist alchemical traditions, the third eye is the frontal part of
the "Upper Dan Tien"
The third eye (also known as the inner eye) is a mystical and esoteric concept referring to a speculative invisible eye which provides perception beyond ordinary sight. In certain dharmic spiritual traditions such as Hinduism, the third eye refers to the ajna, or brow chakra.
In Theosophy it is related to the pineal gland. The third eye refers to the gate that leads to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness.
In New Age spirituality, the third eye often symbolizes a state of enlightenment or the evocation of mental images having deeply personal spiritual or psycological significance. The third eye is often associated with religious visions, clairavoyence, the ability to observe chakras and auras, precognition, and out-of-body experiences. People who are claimed to have the capacity to utilize their third eyes are sometimes known as seers.
In some traditions such as Hinduism, the third eye is said to be
located around the middle of the forehead, slightly above the junction
of the eyebrows. In other traditions, as in Thesophy, it is believed to be connected with the pineal gland.
According to this theory, humans had in far ancient times an actual
third eye in the back of the head with a physical and spiritual
function. Over time, as humans evolved, this eye atrophied and sunk into
what today is known as the pineal gland.
