The Third Eye
A great deal has already been written in
esoteric literature about the third eye, and it seems that more clarity is
required about this little understood mystic organ. However, although
descriptions and explanations may provide some mental concept of this 'eye',
real inner understanding can never be reached until, by gradual spiritual
unfoldment, a measure of practical experience of vision through this 'eye of the
soul' is first of all gained — another of these esoteric paradoxes.
A few synonymous expressions will be found to be partly
descriptive and will perhaps give some idea of the functions of the
third eye. For instance: the spiritual eye; the mirror of the soul; the eye of
the soul; the all-seeing eye; the eye of the magician; the eye of vision; the
inner eye; the director of energy. The third eye exists in etheric matter and is
an etheric centre of force situated just in front of the forehead, at the
midpoint between the two physical eyes. Although associated with the pineal
gland, it must not be confused with the latter, which is distinctly a small
physical gland at the back of the brain. The third eye should be regarded as the
etheric correspondence of the pineal gland, and it is only as the latter attains
full activity that the 'eye' will be functioning effectively, indicating the
'fully awakened' stage in man. The third eye is also the instrument of the Will
or Spirit, and thus becomes the 'Director of Energy'.
The 'eye' provides the aspirant with inner vision of the
subjective realms, and therefore with clairvoyance, and will also
afford the proficient worker effective control over many of the energies
governing the behaviour of matter. Until the eye is functioning, even if only
partially and periodically, man cannot comprehend and fully appreciate the
nature of the energy which he is actually capable of wielding and therefore of
the potential powers at his disposal. Eventually this eye will give him the
powers of the white magician, and that is why it is also called the 'eye of the
magician'. It is by directing energies with the third eye that thought-forms are
energised and vivified, sweeping the lesser builders (devas) into any particular
line of activity. The third eye is thus the directing agency in all mental
creative work, thus also forming the basis of all practical creation. By fixing
the inner eye upon the object of contemplation, a steady stream of energy is
produced, which when focussed upon the objective engenders vitalisation and
activity. As a rule this process operates unconsciously, but by means of
meditation and contemplation the qualified student learns to apply these
principles deliberately and at will, although with discrimination.
It is through the medium of this 'all-seeing eye' that
the Master of Wisdom or the perfected man, can at any moment put himself into
touch with his disciples, wherever they are, or can communicate with other
members of the Spiritual Hierarchy throughout the etheric realm. This eye serves
him as an instrument for directing and controlling energies and holding thought-forms
which he may have created within his sphere of influence and upon his path of service,
and it is through this medium that he directs currents of energy to help and stimulate
his disciples and groups in any place and at any time. Visualisation also stimulates
the development of the third eye, and forms, ideas and thought abstractions can thus
be mentally clothed and brought into etheric being.
There are mainly two procedures which are responsible for the
development of the pineal gland. Firstly this may be stimulated by energies emanating
from the soul itself and acting via the etheric centres. This down flow of egoic or soul
energy stems in the first place from awakening the centres through meditation and
spiritual activities; the energy impinges on the gland, which in the course of years
will gradually develop and begin to unfold itself to start a new cycle of activity.
The pineal gland may, however, also be stimulated by a rational physical life, and by
disciplining the body to the laws of spiritual unfoldment. This will mean leading a
regulated life, avoiding meat, and stimulants such as nicotine and alcohol, and
practicing moderation in all things. In this way the gland will progressively lose its
atrophy and become vitalised.
To sum up it can be said that the third eye constitutes the
window of the soul, whereby it looks inwards into the three worlds of human existence,
revealing the nature of the interior worlds, the Kingdom of God, and the Divine Plan;
it directs the energy of the soul on the physical plane, and lastly it links the awakened
man of the physical plane with the astral or subjective world, enabling him to function
there in full consciousness. It therefore enables man to become aware of that which
previously remained hidden to his senses; a world of fantastic new realities is opened up
to his etheric vision, and the nature and quality of the realm of souls and that
of the Hierarchy is revealed to him in all its beauty. Actually these new
perceptions are animated more distinctly and become more authentic to the
observer than the world of physical experience ever could have been.
In the New Testament, Yeshua says: "If
thine eye becomes Single, thy whole body shall be full of Light."
In the Gospel of Thomas he also says:
"There is a Light within a person of Light, and It shines on the whole world."
And, "If one is whole, one will be filled with Light, but if one is divided, one
will be filled with darkness."
Author: Aart Jurriaanse
Dated: Mon,24 Jan 2000 01:30:55 GMT
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