Ajna (Third Eye Chakra or Light Chakra or Insight Chakra)
Other Names: "eye of intuition", "third eye", "triveni", "guru
chakra", "eye of wisdom", "eye of Shiva", "divya chakshu" (divine eye), "jnana chakshu" or "jnana netra" (eye of knowledge) English translation: "command", "source of knowing" Location: situated slightly above the midpoint of the two eyebrows Diety: Ardhanarishvara (half man, half woman god, a composite of Shiva and Parvati) Vayu (energetic wind): Shakti (power): hakini (imagination, clairvoyance, intuition and inner knowing toward self-realization and spiritual understanding) Mudra:sambhavi mudra Mantra: Om Hakini Namaha Element: light, mind Form: ajna chakra is symbolized by a two-petalled silver lotus representing the 2 major nadis, Ida(full moon) and Pingala(glowing sun). The 2 petals also represent the left and right hemispheres of the brain with the pineal gland at the center. In the center is a black lingam and an OM mantra sign
Statement:"I am intellectually realized. I have clarity of vision and thinking. My intuition is accurate. I see things without the cobwebs and clutter. I see the world in black and white with a very minimal shade of gray (uncertainty, doubt, indecision). Nothing can touch me, nothing can disturb me. But experientially, I still do not feel the spontaneous ecstasy of life." Blocked by: illusion (the biggest illusion is that we are individual and separate - nothing exists as a separate individual. Everything is connected. We are all one.)
Ajna Chakra resides between the 2 eyebrows
Location Ambiguity There is no universal agreement in yoga where the Ajna is exactly located. The most popular notion is that the Ajna is located between the eyebrows. In some schools, they say the Ajna is the pineal gland, located deep inside the head between the left and right hemipheres of the brain (more on that below). There is also an obscure notion that the Ajna is the entire shaft beginning between the eyebrows and running all the way to the back of the head.
Yoga has no universal standard and many established gurus give conflicting versions of their yoga. It's confusing when you get into the nuts-and-bolts of it.
My take on it? It doesn't matter exactly where. I simply take a step back and look at the big picture and the general intent. I'm even happy to accept that the Ajna is a collective of all the above.
Ida and Pingala Nadis At the level of the ajna chakra, ida and pingala become one and end the duality of yin-yang, male-female, sun-moon, etc. From their initial root at the muladhara, winding up and meeting at the chakras (svadisthana, manipuraka, anahata, vishuddhi), they become one with sushumna. These three psychic nadis merge to become part of the sushumna. (It should be noted that in Yoga Makaranda, T Krishnamacharya says that ida and pingala start at the muladhara and end at the opening of the nostril. They do not extend all the way up to the ajna chakra). This is very symbolic. Prana(energy rising up through the sushumna) and consciousness are revealed to be one and the same thing - prana(energy) reaches up beyond the spine, into and beyond the brain stem and into the ajna chakra(consciousness). The principle of ida(moon, female, chandra) merges with the principle of pingala(sun, male, surya) to become one. At this point, the ego no longer exists and duality ends.
Last Stop Ajna's existence and significance are so important in mind-expansion that no further development of wisdom and unlayering of the self follow unless the ajna is awakened. Ajna is the bridge between man and the infinite, the bridge between source and man. It is through ajna that man sees the supreme and it's also through ajna that the supreme sees man.
Ajna is also the last chakra where man can follow a blueprint in ascending the kundalini power. From the Ajna going up the higher chakras (bindu, sahasrara, bramaguha, etc.), there are no set procedures, no paths to follow - only a leap of faith into the ineffable realm.
Characteristics: The Witnessing Center This is the center where one becomes an actor on the stage of the world, seeing everything as almost a dream. All actions, thoughts and objects, including one's own body and mind, are observed from the center of one's being. This is the witnessing center - there is no personal identification. You become the objective, non-reactive observer.
Example: Anger At the muladhara chakra level, the mind and body react to the sensation - the mind becomes agitated, the breath becomes fast and shallow and the body gets ready for a flight or fight response. However, at the ajna chakra level, there is no such mind-body reaction - just observation. The mind simply witnesses the sensation of anger without reacting to it. It observes anger calmly, equanimously, without losing its balance.
Siddhis (Supernatural Powers) The ajna chakra is pervasive in many cultures because it is powerful. The ajna is so revered that in Hindu tradition, they mark this sacred spot with a vermilion bindi.
If caitanya(consciousness or cosmic intelligence) is focused on the ajna chakra, one acquires the power to control everybody. Through the movements of recaka(exhalation) and puraka(inhalation) in the nadis(energy pathways) of the two nostrils, if one practises pranayama by keeping the breath in the nostrils and circulating and moving the prana vayu, then the nadis below the nostril get purified. One develops a divine lustre, one is able to see the atman(true essence, soul) and through this blessing will be able to see all the events that are occurring around the world without moving from their position. Caitanya citta vritti(cosmic intelligence in the activities of the mind) in the ajna chakra is extremely helpful for a long life.
Ajna bridges a direct mind-to-mind communication between two people, usually between a guru and his disciple. It is inferred that Ramana Maharshi communicates silently with his followers, saying that verbal words are too limited to convey ideas from a higher realm.
Neti Benefit There are other reasons for the use of neti(nasal cleansing using a neti pot filled with saline solution) such as the stimulation of various nerve endings in the nose; this leads to improvement in the brain and organs to which these nerves connect and also helps in the stimulation of ajna chakra, the midbrain psychic center.
Satvic Vishuddhi and ajna, are higher and positive chakras in the satvic realm (above tamasic and rajastic). One tends to follow dharma(eternal and inherent nature of reality), where one's actions and thoughts indicate progress in spiritual life with a progressively more illuminated states of mind.
Rudya Granthis The granthis are psychic knots or hurdles present in specific chakras. They are hindrances representing ignorance and attachment and prevent ascension to higher levels. There are three granthis - brahma, vishnu and rudra granthis.
Rudra granthi resides in the ajna chakra. It is associated with attachment to psychic powers such as telepathy, clairaudience and other mind phenomena. This psychic knot is an attachment to power. One must dissolve the ego for further ascent, in the same way that a moth leaves the chrysalis to fly away as a butterfly. All these psychic knots prevent the kundalini power to ascend to the sahasrara chakra. However, when the rudra granthi is pierced (transcended), a flute-like sound is perceived - the kundalini is said to be rising.
I think this is where most evolved people (gurus, swamis, sensei, etc) get stuck. When they realize a certain power(miracles, turning water into wine, walking on water, producing ash from thin air, etc.) and can attract a following, it becomes intoxicating - people give you money, women spread their legs, intellectuals abandon critical thinking, zealots beg you to command them. The ego is god-dified and the progression on the path comes to a screeching halt. The kundalini shakti or prana vayu(energy) cannot go beyond the rudya knot and is therefore stuck and stagnates.
Pineal Gland A noteworthy mention is this pea-sized organ inside the brain whose present-day function is not known to science. It is widely regarded as a vestige of primal man when humanity was in its early stages of evolution. However, on a per-unit count, this has the highest blood flow in the body next only to the kidney. This phenomenon suggests that the pineal gland performs a vital function that is not currently known or quantified.
Ways to Activate the Pineal Gland
dim the lights and no more computer or phones 1 hour before sleep time - this primes and transitions our pineal gland for sleep
put an eye cover when you sleep - an eye cover creates complete darkness which facilitates the activation of melatonin in putting us to sleep. The pineal works better in complete darkness
do eye exercises - pineal gland is closely related to the eyes. Healthy eyes mean healthy pineal gland that can funtion optimally. Eye exercises are looking near and far, eye rotation, look at shoulders, look at tip of nose, look at third eye
trataka shatkriya - fixing your gaze on one spot without blinking until tears flow
Sambhavi Mudra - after trataka, close your eyes, seated, fingers on gyana mudra, head tilted slightly up, maintain awareness on the space between your eyebrows. Hindus put a bindi on their forehead for this purpose. Where we focus our attention on, that part functions and performs better - this is the nature of the human body. This is not just mental focus but also physical focus - so roll your eyes to look at that space (initially, it will feel uncomfortable, but gets easier with practice). Concentrate on this area for 5 minutes
In yoga however, the pineal gland plays a powerful role as the physical organ translating the subtle levels of the ajna into a human experience. Ajna is the eye of intuition and intellect. Together, they activate telepathy, clairvoyance, psychokinesis, and other siddhis. When ajna is activated, thought (a subtle form of energy), can be transmitted across great distances.
Asanas Sirsasana takes center stage as it activates the pineal gland and ajna chakra. As a general rule, any inversion asana (forward bend, headstand, handstand, downward dog) causes the energy flow towards the ajna chakra. Additionally, any asana requiring focus and balance(tree, eagle, hand-to-big-toe, etc.) also enhances the activation of the ajna chakra.
The Class
Introduction - what is chakra? what is the 3rd eye? what is the pineal gland? benefits?
One-Legged Asanas - tree, hand to big toe, warrior III, eagle, dancer, standing split, kicks (front, side, back, quad stretch)
Kundalini Asanas - seated tortional rotation, arms-up kapalabhati, cat & cow with snap, bent forward chair
Eye Exercises - ear look, shoulder look, nose look, 3rd eye look, eye roll, fast light blink, eye orbit massage
Trataka - until eyes tear up
Sambhavi Mudra - final pose
Ending Thoughts Ajna Chakra allows us to see the big picture. What big picture? I would liken this to my experience of Burning Man. Before Burning Man, I was a working stiff toiling from 9-5, a boss looking from my back, and my self-worth contingent on the 'job'. Without the job, I'd be lost. It defined me. Food on my table, payment for the mortgage, social standing, self-image - they were all defined by the job. That was the horizon for me.
But with Burning Man, where I marinated under the scorching heat of the desert for a full week, experiencing a utopian reality unimaginable in the default world, I saw the big picture. I saw an infinite horizon that was far more animated, far more colorful, and teeming with endless possibilities, that revealed the illusion of the 'job horizon'.
I was a different man when I came out of the desert. I left my corporate job, followed my bliss and surrendered to the greater forces at play. For 10 years now, I had been traveling homeless with very little money, no job, no property, but I always end up in amazing places, meeting the right people, and stumbling upon opportunities that open up doors.
Metaphorically, I can say that Burning Man gave me a glimpse of how I can architecture my reality when my Ajna Chakra is activated. To the extent that this realization and empowerment were brought about by the third eye, anyone who has experienced this transformation will attest to the Ajna Chakra and all the possibilities that lay ahead. I am not claiming that my Ajna Chakra has opened up. But I will claim that I had been given a rare glimpse of just how powerfully it can transform you and align the universe to manifest your karmic process.
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Chiang Mai INFORMATION
Chiang Mai Map
Chiang Mai, Thailand
IMPORTANT PLACES
Bus Station Train Station Chiang Mai International Airport Nong Buak Hard Park - free yoga classes daily
HOTEL
Arun Dara Villa - 7 exclusive rooms, 1 swimming pool for every room, grand opening
Nawa Sheeva Hotel - big rooms, high ceiling, salt-water pool, restaurant, cafe
Nawa Saraan Hotel - low density (4 spacious rooms), stone garden setting, Koi fish pond, Old City location
Arun Suite - 3 bedrooms in a 3-storie guesthouse within Old City, ideal for families
MOTORBIKE RENTAL
Tawan Bike - motorcycle rental | +66 91 635 2863 | Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200
Chiang Mai FYI / Tips
crop-burning season in Chiang Mai is between late Feb to early April. But laws change everytime. This year, 2019, there is a 61-day ban on burning so the farmers started burning early. When my plane was approaching Chiang Mai on Jan 24, 2019, there was already a thick blanket of smog covering the entire city (and beyond). But within the city itself, you won't feel it (but that doesn't mean the air is healthy). To monitor air conditions in real time, refer to site: Chiang Mai Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)
hot season begins March and lasts until June
wet season begins July and lasts until September
best time to visit Chiang Mai is mid-September to mid-February - after the monsoon and before the burning
you have to try Khao Soi, this is north Thailand's culinary staple
the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located in the Old City
to exchange your dollars to Thai Baht, the Super Rich Money Exchange give the best rates. There are many branches scattered around Chiang Mai
get a red cab (songthao) outside the train station for Baht 50 (instead of paying B100 if inside the train station) to Old City - if you haggle nicely enough...I did!
shared red taxi (songthao) - B30 standard fare plying all over Old City
for only B50/day, best to rent a bike to go around the Old City - it's a 2.5km2 with lots to discover
FREE daily yoga classes from 9:00am to 10:15am at Nong Buak Hard Park (southwest corner of Old City). Resident and passing-through teachers take turns conducting yoga classes.
Blues/Jazz Bars in Chiang Mai
North Gate Jazz Coop - at Chang Phueg Gate, great Tuesday jam session, Blues on Sundays at 11pm by the Chiang Mai Blues band
Boy Blues Bar - at the Night Bazaar. Mondays at 9:30pm is open mic
My Secret Cafe - near Wat Phra Singh. Tuesdays at 7:30pm for the changing front-act and 9:00pm for the Panic Band
Taphae East - 88 Thapae Rd. (just north of Night Bazaar). Fridays at 9:30pm by Chiang Mai Blues Band
Chiang Mai Cost Index
B60 Chiang beer
B250 1 hour drop-in yoga session
B200 one hour Thai body massage at WAYA Massage(highly recommended)
B50 noodle soup with meat
B50 coffee
B40 pad thai
B30/kilo wash-only laundry
B50/kilo wash+iron laundry
B100-150 dorm bed/night
B250 fan room/night
B30 internet cafe/hour
B170-190 Movies Sat-Sun and public holidays
B130-150 Movies weekdays
B100 Movies Wednesdays (movie discount day)
B750 1/2 day Thai cooking lessons
B900-1000 1 full day Thai cooking lessons
B400 Muay Thai boxing ticket
B2500 starting room rate at the luxury hotel, Nawa Sheeva(highly recommended)
Transportation
B450 bus, Chiang Mai to Bangkok
B160-180 bus, Chiang Mai to Pai
B1250 bus, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B1650 slow boat, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
B210 bus, Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, 3-4 hours
B360 Green VIP bus, Chiang Mai to Mae Sai (Thai border town for visa run to Tachileik, Myanmar)
B50 bicycle rental, 24 hours
B200 motorbike rental, 24 hours
B273 #51 sleeping train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
Book Online - direct booking with State Railway of Thailand. Best to register first. If going to BKK from CNX, click "Northern Line".
note -- big difference between booking direct with the State Railway and booking with an online 3rd party agent. 12GO was charging B1330 for the same trip that only cost me B941 with the State Railway.
note -- Oct 2022, I took the #10 Train from CNX to BKK, upper berth, 2nd class, a/c, sleeper, B941. The train was clean, fast, comfortable and modern. If you have heavy luggage that will cost more money in flight checkin, I would suggest this train. Otherwise, the flight now is so much cheaper it doesn't even make sense to take the bus or train.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train from Bang Sue Train Station
10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck
Loei to Chiang Mai by Bus
From Loei town center, take a tuk-tuk ride to the bus station, B30. There is only one bus station.
As of June 28, 2020 (still on Covid schedule), there are only 3 night trips: 8:30pm, 9:30pm and 12 midnight. 9 hours, B470.
The bus makes the following stops at the following times from a 9pm Loei departure: Phu Ruea (9:50pm), Phitsanulok (12:40am), Uttradit (2:20am), Lampang (4:35am)
Final bus stop is at the Red Bus Arcade, Chiang Mai, 9 hour-trip, arriving 6am (from 9pm Loei departure).
Take a red songthaew to Old City, B50. They'll try to charge you B100, but they'll take B50 (just assure the driver you won't tell the other passengers).
How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days
This process is BEFORE Covid 19. Not sure what it is now.
60-Day Thai Tourist Visa
NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.
Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
b) flight booking to Thailand
c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
d) filled-in tourist visa form
e) 2 passport pictures
f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
g) passport with at least 6 months validity
After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.
30-Day Extension
NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.
bring the following to the Immigration Office:
a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
b) Baht 1900
c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture
submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!