Preface: I had initially rewritten this to be included on the Wim Hoff Method Blog. But, it went unposted. Rather than see the work lost I am sharing it with you. In addition to being easier to read than the last version I’ve added an illustrated how to poster.
What is meant by ‘opening your third eye’? It is a meditation technique that refers to becoming more self aware and in tune with your surroundings. Results may be different for everyone. Some experience heightened awareness, more creativity, or a sense of calm and confidence. When performed consistently, your intuition will improve and you will become more aware.
I first tried this technique when I was a young boy. My mother and I were at a swap meet. It was there, after much pestering, that she bought me that book on Native American Shamanism. I wanted the book because my best friend was telling me about his great spiritual powers and how he was going to get a power animal. Since young boys can be quite competitive, I felt I also needed to do what my friend was doing. When we left the swap meet, I began reading the book in the car. One of the first meditation exercises I stumbled upon was contacting the ancient spirits for help. I decided this would be a good exercise to start with before I tried to find my power animal.
This is what I remember of the exercise.
“Breathe in through the nose for a slow count of 3. Hold for a count of 3. Then exhale for a count of three. Do this slowly and rhythmically. Focus on the point between your eyes above your nose on your forehead. Roll the eyes up behind closed eyelids. This may take 10-20 minutes before you can contact the spirits. As you breathe in and out, you will see different colors starting at yellow then shifting to purple. When you see purple you may, most respectfully speak with your spirit guides.”
When that evening finally approached, I found a quiet spot in the house and laid down on the ground in a darkened room. I breathed in and out. I became more and more relaxed. I saw flashes of yellow and purple. Then I asked to speak to my grandmother’s and grandfather’s spirits, the ancients, and the enlightened. Then, it happened! I heard a voice, as clear as day in my mind, and I freaked out. I did not know it then, but this was the day that would define the rest of my life.
It was not until years later that I tried meditation again, and it would be longer still when I tried, what I now know as, the third eye meditation. Almost like clockwork, years passed by again and it is only now that I realized the importance of opening my third eye.
Was I contacting ancient spirits when I was a child? Maybe, but more likely, I had gotten in touch with my higher consciousness. This higher consciousness is in us all. It is what makes us human and allows us to do amazing things.
There are many exercises and meditation techniques for opening your third eye. The easiest technique is to sit upright in a comfortable chair. Place your arms at your sides and hands on your lap. Breathe in through your nose to a count of 10, hold for 10, then exhale for 10. The longer you can do this the better, but the key is in the consistent rhythmic breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth. When you do this, focus on the point between your forehead. You do not need to literally turn your eyes to your forehead, you need only to focus on the point in the middle of your forehead while you breathe in and out. Around the eight to tenth breath, you will start to see the yellow color spiral in your mind. As you continue breathing, the color will change to purple and then to flashing colors.
When this happens, when you finally see that vibrating purple color, it means you have opened your third eye. This ‘opening’ means different things for different people. For me, it has allowed more creativity and focus.
If you don’t see swirling colors, or you can’t hold your breath for 10 seconds, don’t worry. Just keep trying and do what you are comfortable with. One of my students would complain of constant headaches, but he persisted. Only when he persisted did he realize that his headaches were because he was staring at his nose cross-eyed.
The more meditation you do, the more understanding and control you will have over the effects of your newfound awareness. Many people think that the benefit of meditation is only during the actual meditation, but it is quite the contrary. The benefit comes a short time after the meditation. The more consistent you are in your meditation, the more aware of the benefits you become. You realize that, perhaps, you aren’t lucky, but there is someone/something guiding you. You see patterns where there would be random chances. This is just the start to an improved and a better you.
If you need help, or have questions, you are always welcome to contact me.