“All the powers in the universe are already ours. It is we who have put our hands before our eyes and cry that it is dark.”   Swami Vivekananda

“The only real valuable thing is intuition.”   Albert Einstein

The pineal gland is shaped like a tiny pine cone. Some say it looks like a tiny pineapple. Pineapple is one of the foods said to increase our intuition. This small endocrine gland produces melatonin which is a hormone that affects the modulation of wake/sleep patterns. Melatonin also affects seasonal (photoperiodic) functions. You are likely aware that the pineal is located near the center of the brain between the two hemispheres. However, did you know that unlike most of the brain – research shows that this gland is not isolated from the body by the blood-brain barrier system?

This pea-sized reddish-gray gland also called the “third eye” or “spirit eye” has long been known to ancient mystery and esoteric schools as the connecting link between the physical and spiritual worlds. According to research it is considered to be the highest source of ethereal energy available to humans and has been considered crucial in the initiation of ‘supernatural powers’. The psychic development classes I teach (under the umbrella of my Angel & Faery workshops) are closely associated with this tiny organ of psychic vision. In the days before it was dis-covered to be the eye that could see beyond space-time it was linked to superstitious beliefs and mysticism.

Within the chakra system the third eye resides in the middle of our eyebrows. This is at the same level as our pineal gland which sits alone in the middle of our brain. The famous philosopher Descartes described the pineal gland as “the principal seat of the soul.” While I personally became aware (in this lifetime) of the pineal gland in my high school biology classes and during my early career as a registered nurse, my familiarity and primary relationship with this tiny gland is as a mystic. And, I cannot remember not being a mystic!

The spirit eye is the revered tool of mystics and seers. It is considered to be the organ of supreme universal connection whose significance appears in ancient cultures throughout the world. In Ayurvedic philosophy (which I have studied) the third eye is represented by the ajna chakra and as you may be aware in Ancient Egypt the symbol of the eye of Horus mirrors the placement of the pineal gland in the profile of the human head. The third eye is linked to intuition, clarity, concentration and imagination.

One of my services at Awakening Spirit is helping my clients who wish to open or further open their third eye. Opening the third eye is of great value because the illusion of separation between self and spirit dissolves when the third eye connection is accomplished. So many ‘ways of being’ are connected to the third eye. These include, but are not limited to, how to walk between realities, how to be awake and how to stay awake within the dream and how to surpass the supposed limitations of being human.

Some people describe a blocked third eye as being linked to confusion and cynicism and even jealousy and pessimism. This is due to the fact that while we see the physical world with our physical eyes our third eye sees the world as it is in spiritual truth which is as a unified whole with an unbroken and unbreakable connection to God/Source.

Calcification of the pineal gland can occur through diets overly rich in fluoride and calcium and because of toxins in our every day products such as hormones, additives, sugars and artificial sweetners. Also, it is quite likely that radiation from cell phone use (always use ear buds or put your cell on speaker) and electrical and magnetic fields may negatively impact the pineal gland. By decalcifying and activating this gland you can re-establish your connection to your third eye. Consulting a naturopath is always a wise choice.

Some people are guided by their natural health care practitioners to food and/or supplements which support and detoxify the third eye. This list is a long one; however, it includes choices such as goji berries, raw cacao, garlic, lemon, watermelon, bananas, honey, spirulina, raw apple cider vinegar, ginseng and chloropyll. These aid purification of the pineal gland. Some folks use essential oils to stimulate their pineal which facilitates states of spiritual awareness. I can vouch for lavender and sandalwood and others recommend parsley, pine and frankincense amongst others.

I have not tried sun gazing which is known to be a great source of power. Maybe I am worried that like Icarus I might fly too close to the sun! Some people gaze, very gently, at the sun for just the first few minutes of sunrise and the last few minutes of sunset to boost the pineal gland. Since I have not tried this practice I cannot advocate for it.

So what do I do to help people open their third eye you ask? I was trained many years ago by Dr. Doreen Virtue in California in a method that involves Angelic assistance and a clear quartz crystal. I do this for clients who ask. I also help students of metaphysics to open their third eye at my workshops where I call in particular groups of Angels, ascended masters, spirit guides and members of the elemental realm and then raise the group frequency to a level that supports this opening while I lead students in one of two specific guided meditations that I learned from two different teachers who were psychics for their respective police departments. One of my meditations aids my students to create an inner screen that is connected to their third eye and crown and heart chakras.

You can open your spirit eye with a consistent meditation practice and/or chanting. My favourite chant, as a Yoga teacher, is “Om” which is known as the sound of the Universe and is known to open the spirit eye. My consistent practice of Hatha Yoga for the past 30 plus years has definitely opened my psychic senses – which is not the goal of Yoga  – but it is a by-product of it. Research shows that chanting causes the tetrahedron bone in the nose to resonate and causes stimulation of the pineal gland. I have experienced a miraculous healing from meditating and chanting along with a tape of Shri Anandi Ma & Shri Dileepji Pathak. This happened almost two decades ago when my daughter was 13 and I accompanied her and the musical theatre troupe she belonged to on a trip to Mexico and Honduras. While she was dancing in an orphanage in the Honduran jungle I was outdoors speaking to a man who grew up in this orphanage and as we engaged in a deep, meaningful conversation I felt something biting my ankle (I was wearing sandals!) I did not want to break our eye connection which would be disrespectful but also I felt if I looked I might freak out! So I did not look down to see what it was and was therefore bitten a number of times. I had seen snake holes around but they had not registered much with me, as long as my daughter was safe, because as a “dance Mom” nothing matters but that the show must go on! So, to make my story short – ten days later (after having slapped on some antibiotic cream each day) I arrived back in my then-home Victoria, B.C., and then went to the doctor as the infection was travelling up my leg and wasn’t looking good. The doctor said, “well, I don’t think you have malaria; however, I don’t know if this was a snake or a spider bite – likely a spider.” He said we would watch it a bit longer but it was likely I was going to need surgery on it and a lot of tissue excised. When I told my sister, and long-time blog supporter, Gillian, she sent me a tape and said I could heal myself and, of course, I believed that to be true. For 10 days I chanted and meditated twice daily with Sri Ananda Ma (5,000 year lineage) whom I had complete faith in and when I went back to the doctor there was no sign there had ever been anything there! The yogic healing arts postulate that all illness is a result of a disturbance in the prana or human energy field. My doctor was speechless.

So, I digressed, didn’t I? But not completely – because my spirit eye (connected to my Higher Self)- saw me healed! You can tell from my story above that I believe in both conventional Western medicine and ancient traditional medicine and am grateful for both.

My work at Awakening Spirit involves using my spirit eye in a variety of ways to help others. I receive messages and visions during Angel readings and healings. I have learned over my lifetime to trust and follow my intuition. This strengthens it. Sometimes I will also employ a crystal to aid my spirit eye. I will hold a crystal (usually my pal amethyst) in my receptive hand (non-writing hand) to assist. I choose amethyst (gifted to me by my brother decades ago) because it is great for creating a powerful resonant field that helps you to remain clear and centered while also opening to spiritual direction and intuitive information. You may wish to try this if you have not already! Besides amethyst, some intuitives ally with purple violet tourmaline or sodalite. You may feel guided to try meditating while holding a crystal between and slightly above your brow. Our heart generates a strong electromagnetic field that permeates our entire body. When the fifth-dimensional high frequencies of love and compassion activate – this electromagnetic field is further expanded and this causes the pineal gland to vibrate and activate in concert with the heart. This entrainment opens the spirit eye to even greater inspiration and inner vision.

As you are aware, many breathing practices from a variety of ancient traditions such as yoga, qi gong and others activate the pineal gland. As does tapping. Tapping our forehead in between the eyebrows activates the pineal gland by sending a wave right to it. This tapping practice is used in various forms of energy medicine to awaken the region of the brain bounded by the pineal , pituitary and hypothalamus glands called the “Crystal Palace” in Daoist practices.

Obviously the best thing that you can do for your pineal gland is to take care of your general health and well-being. Plenty of whole, nutritious foods, spring water, exercise, rest, recreation, sleep, is crucial. Playtime with your inner child! It is a no-brainer that drinking alcohol and taking street drugs is not for any one interested in opening their psychic senses. It numbs/distorts them.

At this point in our planet’s evolution we are currently undergoing processes that according to the Sirian Council (channeled by Patricia Cori) “will activate your conscious creation of the magnetic light pathways that will call DNA back to its original functioning energy matrix.” This is, of course, what we are now doing as we choose to ascend. We do not need to have an in-depth understanding of the endocrine system to ‘upgrade’ our spirit eye. When we do our ‘shadow’ work (Carl Jung) and press the mute button on our ego or lovingly move ego to the side or better still merge ego completely with Self we are perfectly capable through meditation and prayer and conscious clear intention of reconnecting and realigning our light bodies with cosmic energies that support our evolution.

Are you unconsciously blocking your third eye? If so, chances are high it is due to fear. Fear of your own power perhaps? Fear of what you might dis-cover? Or fear of failure? We must be able to tolerate failure (we learn from failure – in fact, we often learn more from failure than success!).  We are taught, in our culture, to fear unknowns  – so we need to know that unknowns are safe. The Universe has your back, dear one. It is also necessary to know that no one, except Source, has all the answers. And, to be okay with the mystery. Practice. Practice. Practice is key. Think of your spirit eye as a spiritual muscle to be opened at your own pace and in your own time – there is no rush.

You are already psychic. You are born knowing. You only need remember. Your inner child is available for consultation and playtime. Time travel back and give her/him the unconditional love she/he needs. Begin or continue meditating. If you are truly a beginner 2 minutes morning and night is plenty. You will want more when the time is right. Science shows us that the brain changes and grows after only 11 hours of meditation. For most of us, meditation is of crucial importance in fostering our intuition and receiving our divine guidance.

Claim your intuition. Your spirit eye is your ultimate navigational tool for life.

Love & Light,   Monica    www.monicahemstock.ca