Agnya (Ajna) chakra development is vital for personal and spiritual growth because it helps us awaken from the illusions in life that we unconsciously accept as real … until our “third eye” opens, and we start looking beyond dualism. The domination of duality (the unconscious acceptance that our lives are always a choice between two polar opposites) over our consciousness must eventually be supplanted by an experience of the multiple dimensions of reality.
Most people are content to accept the commonly-held views of reality as presented and reinforced by popular media such as TV news programs, movies, and books. Our early schooling teaches a simple or childlike view of the world that often extends, unexamined, into adulthood. It will take third eye chakra development in order to see past what we are told is true, and to make our own evaluation. But growing Agnya chakra takes effort. A lot of it.
One way to develop your third eye is to ask the right questions. Agnya chakra development is supported when the young child confronts a parent or teacher with “Who are you to tell me who I am, and what I should think?” Every parent has to deal with challenges, hopefully by responding in a kind, but firm manner, and being careful not to crush the youthful spirit before them. Similar questions will reappear ten years later, fueled by the raging hormones of the young adult. But beneath these two developmental stages – the infant rebellion and the teenage confrontation with authority – the inner third eye is beginning to open. Development self-enquiry is beginning.
No one can tell us who we are, at our fundamental identity. Others can only tell us who they want us to be, or who they think we should become. Yes, others can see our potential, and can provide much-needed support. But, ultimately, our true self is discovered by it seeing itself: through self-enquiry, self-development, and through the transforming fire of our personal relationships. These three factors provide the most wonderful (although often painful) opportunities, and will bring us the tools t0 break free of the tyranny of the common reality.
The process of questioning the outer authority must eventually evolve into the enquiry of who you think you are, or who you have been told you are. As adults we will soon come to learn that we have little power to influence others, or to shift events in the outer world. But we do have tremendous power to change ourselves. The doorway to personal freedom opens when we learn how to develop ourselves, and to come to see what is meaningful in life though our own efforts. Once you are engaged in the adult journey of questioning the self everything begins to change.
The key that unlocks the door of personal and spiritual development is to ask the right questions, and in doing so to develop Agnya chakra. Without a functioning third eye we will remain blind to all spiritual depth, and mired in the dull flatness of polar opposites. Strive to open your third eye. Don’t settle only for the constructed reality offered to you by others. Learn to see the truth for yourself.
This is a great reminder of how simple and profound our third eye is, and what a gift that is waiting for us in this sacred space. I particularly like how you noted the stages of development this shows up in our infancy and young adulthood.
Dear Dean,
Scary moment, but so necessary, when your child asks “Who are you to tell me who I am, and what I should think?”. Really liked how you connected this gently to personal and spiritual development. Will remember this as a parent. Thanks Angie.