Reclaiming Your Spirit:
A Journey Through the Chakras Continues…..

by Susan Cameron

Chakra Six

Chakra six is located in the center of head at slightly above eye level. The Sanskrit word is Ajna and translated means to know or to perceive. The element associated with it is light and the color is indigo. The gemstones most closely associated with this chakra are lapis lazuli and quartz. The planetary rulership is Jupiter.

This chakra is known as the brow chakra or third eye center. It is related to the act of seeing, both physically and intuitively. As such it opens our psychic faculties and our understanding of archetypal levels. When healthy and unobstructed it allows us to see clearly or to see "the big picture". Through the sensory interpretation of light we obtain information about the world around us. How much we are able to see depends upon how open or developed this chakra is. This chakra can be thought of as the viewing screen that analyzes the wealth of visual input we receive from all three of our "eyes". The third eye brings us added understanding, much as reading between the lines can.

Sixth chakra development opens us to the possibilities of clairvoyance, which means, "clear seeing". Clairvoyance opens inner sight to nonphysical planes, allowing us to see auras and chakras and past and future events. Clairvoyance, like intuition, is developed through a conscious surrender to the unconscious mind. Developing clairvoyance requires trust, practice, opening to the inner feelings, voices and images that come unbidden into our consciousness.

The sixth chakra demands that we continually search for the difference between truth and illusion, the two forces present at every moment. Trust what you cannot see far more than what you can see. This brow chakra opens as we assume greater degrees of responsibility for ourselves and the quality of life we desire. The demon of the sixth chakra is illusion. Illusion takes from our consciousness open-minded perception, fixing it upon a static image. We all have illusions of being ten pounds thinner and often fail to appreciate how our body looks now. We have illusions of how a relationship should be and can fail to see the positive aspects of it or our mate. Likewise many get wrapped up in the "happily ever after" model of marriage and can fail to see the serious shortcomings of their marriage.

The greatest outcome of working through our sixth chakra, with its archetypes and images, dreams and fantasies, symbols and illusions is the wonderful emergence of a personal vision. After we see more and more of ourselves, we can see more deeply into people and the situations around us. After we expand our internal picture into a larger and more comprehensive worldview, we begin to create a vision. This vision can address world problems or may only address something within our own lives. It is not the size or scope of our vision that is important, but the ability to see a new possibility of being. With clear vision we begin to create something that has never been seen before. Vision is the counterpart to illusion and to transformation. Vision differs from illusion in that we know it is only a possibility or a guideline. A vision is not static and is held loosely, constantly transforming and changing. An illusion binds energy into a stagnant form while a vision is alive and fluid. It takes vision to change the many dysfunctional aspects of our world and our lives that keep us trapped and disengaged. Vision is an essential part of the healing process. Vision, no matter how abstract, can only begin with changes we make in our own lives. To create change, we need to be able to image it. We need an image or sign that can steer us toward a goal for the future.

With the healing of the sixth chakra, we are able to create a vision. We are able to form the path to our future and liberate ourselves from the grips of our past. Vision will truly make a difference in our lives.