Chakra Anatomy Series - Third Eye

6th Chakra - The Third Eye

Western Anatomy:

The third-eye point governs the pineal gland. It's like this: light or dark is experienced through the retina of the eyes, which stimulates the visual cortex and the suprachiasmatic nuclei simultaneously (because they're both connected to the retinal nerve fibres). These nuclei are located deep within in the hypothalamus of the brain. When they are stimulated, a signal is sent to the pineal and pituitary glands.

The pineal is an almond-shaped gland situated immediately above the brainstem and directly behind and in line with the third-eye brow point. The pineal gland secretes melatonin in response to signals received from the retina (via the hypothalamus). In darkness, melatonin is secreted, inducing sleepiness and fatique, while the presence of light suppresses it. Melatonin directly influences the function of a number of endocrine glands and plays an important role in the regulation of the sleep cycle. The pineal glad is known as the "third eye", even in allopathic medicine, because of its response to light and dark.

Eastern Energetics:

The gate that leads to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness and awakening. Senses, intuition, telepathy, meditation, self-reflection, clairvoyance, envisioning.

East meets West:

There is a direct corollary found in the word "awakening". Melatonin is a physical hormone that regulates our sleep/wake cycle. When the pineal gland is healthy and functioning and this chakra is activated, not only is our circadian rhythm in balance but our spiritual sleep/wake cycle begins to manifest. The third-eye (both the pineal gland and the chakra point) is affected and ruled by light and dark.