The 6th chakra is the third eye chakra located one finger higher than the bridge of the nose. It opens front and back. Its role is supported by the pituitary gland which secretes hormones to control the rest of the endocrine system, also connecting to the central nervous system via the hypothalamus. Both are also located in the middle of the head.
Color: indigo
Sensorial function: intuition
Symbol: 96-petaled lotus
Fundamental principle: understanding and wisdom from knowledge attained
Physical organs: face, eyes, ears, nose, sinus, cerebellum and central nervous system
Endocrine gland: the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain just below the hypothalamus and attaches to it by nerve fibers; the pituitary is a master gland in the endocrine system as it produces hormones which control other glands and various bodily functions.
Purpose and function: The third eye chakra functions as the seat of our mental power and spiritual awareness.
Harmonious functioning: The third eye is completely open only in very few people because that opening requires the development of a high level of consciousness. The sixth chakra, however, can work without being fully open even more so than the previous five chakras. This is evident in keen mind capable of mental abstraction with no interest in spiritual matters let alone spiritual awareness. Scientific theories and deeply philosophical concepts are typical of a partially open sixth chakra harmoniously engaged in mental activity. The capacities of visualization and intuition are activities of the third eye chakra. Our mind is able to concentrate on mental activity and at the same time be open to mystical awareness.The more the third eye chakras opens the more we are able to rely on inner knowledge. We realize that the visible appearance of things are only images and symbols through which the spiritual principle appears at the level of matter.
Disharmonious functioning: A sixth chakra functioning disharmoniously can lead us to live exclusively by the power of our intellect where we will seek to manage everything with our mental faculty. Our intellect may be impressive but we are missing the fact that everything is integrated in both a holistic and cosmic context. We will tend to display intellectual arrogance. Only that which we can scientifically verify do we find real. We will refuse spiritual considerations because it is not scientific and, therefore, not real.
Dysfunction: In extreme cases, our repressed emotional side becomes totally dominated by reliance on the mental though this, too, may collapse because of the imbalance we have created. This will cause us to feel unhappy, incomplete and isolated.
