Kundalini Yoga and the Third Eye – Activation, Understanding, Intuition

What is the Third Eye really about?

Many have already heard of the “third eye.” It sounds mysterious, almost magical. For mystics and yogis, however, it has always been something very natural: our ability to see, feel, and know inwardly what cannot be perceived with the physical eyes. A gift that exists in each of us, yet in the constant to do mode and noise of daily life it is often forgotten, and our access to it becomes weaker.

The Third Eye is not just an esoteric “woo woo” concept. On the physical level it is closely connected with our endocrine system, particularly with the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, and the pineal gland. These three glands work together like a fine network and influence our perception, intuition, and the awareness that we experience as “inner vision.”

The Third Eye in mystical traditions

Mystics from different cultures speak of an inner vision, a way of seeing that does not happen through the physical eyes but through the heart, the soul, or the subtle body.

Symbols such as the lotus flower, a single flame, or a shining eye of light appear frequently in spiritual art and sacred texts. They stand for awakening, clarity, and the ability to recognize the truth behind outer appearances.

For mystics and yogis, the Third Eye is not just a concept but a state of consciousness. It makes it possible to free oneself from reactive thinking and to enter a deeper, silent state of knowing, a form of spiritual awakening.

The anatomy of the Third Eye

The “third eye” is not only a symbol of intuition and inner clarity, it is also the result of a subtle interplay of several endocrine glands in the body that together support our perception and inner orientation.

In yogic anatomy it is located between the eyebrows, slightly inward.

• Pineal gland: Regulates the sleep wake rhythm, releases melatonin, and can produce microscopic amounts of DMT, a naturally occurring “consciousness molecule” that can expand our perception. In addition to its primary function it is secondarily stimulated when we consciously step out of the “time corset”: listening attentively to music, being in nature, daydreaming, or connecting consciously in silent meditation.

• Pituitary gland: The conductor of the hormonal system, coordinating information from the pineal gland and other glands. It also transmits image like signals that can arise in deep meditations or dreams. Through eye movements, gaze direction, and gentle activation of the glands in yoga, the pituitary gland is indirectly stimulated, which supports clarity and inner visualization.

• Hypothalamus: The messenger of the body. It gathers information from the entire body as well as from what we consciously think or express. Voice, thoughts, and mantras can directly stimulate this area. They vibrate in the palate space (yes, even thoughts) and in this way send information to the hypothalamus. Conscious speaking and chanting have a greater effect on wellbeing than many people think.

How Kundalini Yoga stimulates the Third Eye

The Third Eye is activated through the interaction of the pineal gland, the pituitary gland, and the hypothalamus. Kundalini Yoga works directly with these areas by harmonizing the glands and creating a fine network for perception, intuition, and inner vision.

Through kriyas, mantras, and meditation practices, the focus is gently directed toward the Ajna chakra. Postures often include an eye focus (drishti) on the Third Eye, while breathing exercises and bandhas guide the energy. Conscious speaking, thinking, and chanting further stimulate the hypothalamus, while the pituitary gland is supported through the energetic alignment of the body.

One of the most powerful practices for the Third Eye is sadhana, traditionally practiced in the early morning hours and accompanied by extensive chanting.

Over time this steady energetic alignment strengthens the Ajna chakra, not abruptly or forcefully, but through gradual refinement.

What changes when the Third Eye becomes active?

When the Third Eye begins to awaken, the appearance of the world does not change, but our relationship to it does. Possible experiences include

• a sense of calm clarity even in difficult situations
• synchronicities that point the way forward
• growing trust in intuition instead of constant analysis, a felt knowing when you are on the right path
• new perspectives, the ability to view situations from several angles
• stronger ability to put intentions into action and manifest
• a shift in perception from the outer world to the inner world, being more present and less reactive, with emotional waves easier to observe without being carried away by them

The Third Eye becomes a quiet companion that helps you meet life with more trust and awareness. The experience can be highly individual: some receive hints through outer signs such as radio broadcasts or number sequences, others see symbols in the inner eye or sense messages arising from within.

Signs of an unbalanced Third Eye

Imbalance often shows itself in restlessness, lack of orientation, or inner tension.

Overactive
• tendency to be scattered or mentally overloaded
• fixation on unrealistic goals or personal ideologies
• very vivid dreams, lucid dreaming or nightmares
• hypersensitivity to light or loud noises

Underactive
• neglect of one’s own spiritual abilities
• feeling of stagnation on the spiritual path, narrow mindedness
• difficulty perceiving synchronicities
• fear of change and transformation

Often both states appear alternately.

Tips for activating the Third Eye

• align the eyes parallel, look into the distance, or gently roll the eyes upward while meditating
• early morning meditation (Amrit Vela) to harmonize the glands
• conscious singing, chanting of mantras, affirmations, and positive inner dialogue to stimulate the hypothalamus
• presence exercises before falling asleep to support the dream and image consciousness of the pituitary gland
• regular practice of Kundalini Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and targeted meditations offer valuable tools to bring the Third Eye back into balance

When the invisible becomes visible

The opening of the Third Eye is not a dramatic event, but subtle, grounding, and deeply stabilizing. Kundalini Yoga offers a step by step path to cultivate this awareness, not through effort but through regular practice.

Return to your breath, chant, cultivate uplifting thoughts and focus on the space between your eyebrows. Allow yourself to feel and to perceive what is, and pay attention to what your inner voice wants to tell you. As Rumi says

“There is a place where words are born of silence a place where the whispers of the heart are heard.” – Rumi

To hear these subtle impulses we must allow ourselves to become still.

With time the invisible begins to reveal itself and connects you with the deep intelligence that has always been within you. This magic, written about by mystics, is open to us all and is not as unreachable as it may seem.