Third Eye Meditation
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Just wanna ask more about third eye meditation. Third eye meditation is meditataing by visualising and focusing on the supposedly third eye area. How do you feel after doing this meditation for like 3 minutes?
In my case, my forehead starts having a pain and i feel wierd all over. I wonder if this is called deep meditation where eventually, i can visualise having nothing around me and i am in empty space. Furthermore, i also feel my body is very light. Is this normal? -
Sometimes I also have spontaneous sensations of strong tension and pressure or tingling on my forehead, in between my eyebrow. I don't practise third eye meditation, and I usually just ignore it. Some experienced practitioner said it's nothing serious and nothing to be concerned about, some other experience practitioner said I'm 'awakening my third eye', but honestly I don't care.Originally posted by jackal33:Just wanna ask more about third eye meditation. Third eye meditation is meditataing by visualising and focusing on the supposedly third eye area. How do you feel after doing this meditation for like 3 minutes?
In my case, my forehead starts having a pain and i feel wierd all over. I wonder if this is called deep meditation where eventually, i can visualise having nothing around me and i am in empty space. Furthermore, i also feel my body is very light. Is this normal?
Why? Because all these have nothing to do with enlightenment. Buddha does not teach anyone to focus on the eyebrow for the development of spiritual powers, and is against all such special yogic methods for the purpose of developing these powers. One of my experienced friends also warned before that practising focusing in between eyebrow without some experienced person as a guide, can lead to undesirable outcomes such as opening up to the ghost realm's interferences. One should never practise these things without proper guidance, especially as a Buddhist one should avoid all these altogether.
Next, you said 'visualising having nothing around you and you are in empty space'. I am not sure where did you receive such meditation instructions, but if you are being absorbed in a state of 'empty space', that is a form of Shamatha meditation that leads to Shamatha jhanas. I have experienced certain characteristics of shamatha jhanas before. However, one will not attain enlightenment from these practises.
You experienced lightness of your body. It is dropping certain bondage during strong meditation absorption/concentration. It is normal. As Thusness said in an old post commenting on someone's experience: "The “density” and “lightness” is the weight of “losing her identification with certain aspect of the self”. The power of this “identification” cannot be underestimated.
However, this identification can only be temporarily dropped in Shamatha meditative states and jhanas, only through Enlightenment and insights into Reality can "Mind-Body-Drop off" be made permanent, particularly after the realisation of Non-Duality. The experience of complete 'mind-body-drop-off' is more than just lightness of the body, the entire bond is gone, the entire sense of a doer and body dissolves.
2 cents from an inexperienced practitioner.. hope other experienced ones can comment
Oh and... I really think you should find a qualified, experienced and enlightened teacher to guide you in proper meditation, and practise Insight practices (i.e from vipassana, zazen, dzogchen, etc, all traditions have their form insight practices) to develope penetrating Insights into Reality, i.e Enlightenment. -
About supernatural powers, I once wrote:
Regarding psychic and supernatural abilities, I must first say that Buddhism discourages the seeking or cultivation of psychic powers.. Supernatural powers in Buddhism should only comes as a side effect of our Buddhist practise.. if we try to seek or develop these supernatural powers before gaining insights and wisdom, they can even lead us astray and deviated from the path of the Dharma as we will become attached to many of the paranormal phenomena and therefore not be able to develop true spiritual wisdom. Therefore it must be emphasised that though non-locality activities may be experienced such as the 5 powers, one may still not necessarily realise the non-locality of our true nature.
My taiwanese teacher (even before he had met my Master he was very strong in the area of supernatural powers) had first hand experience of the really bad situation he got himself into by misusing his supernatural powers. He almost lost his life as a result, and was reprimanded by my Master.
Also to try to develope these supernatural powers may be just a waste of time... one better cherish our precious lifetime as a human being and devote our entire energy to the practise of the Dharma that leads to wisdom and liberation. Therefore there is a Buddhist story, amazing abilities by concentration
One day the Buddha met an ascetic who sat by the bank of a river. This ascetic had practised austerities for 25 years. The Buddha asked him what he had received for all his labor. The ascetic proudly replied that, now at last, he could cross the river by walking on the water. The Buddha pointed out that this gain was insignificant for all the years of labor, since he could cross the river using a ferry for one penny!
Regarding supernatural abilities, generally speaking in Buddhism there are six kind of supernatural abilities, the first 5 being able to be developed by any one -- not necessarily Buddhists, non-Buddhist yogis that practise any form of shamatha, and many other religions also develope these abilities, or even through occult practises and so on. Only the sixth supernatural ability is restricted to those who have attained enlightenment, those who have transformed consciousness to wisdom. With regards to the six supernatural powers, you can read yourself: http://web.ukonline.co.uk/buddhism/tinhla01.htm
That URL also states: ...It must, however, be understood that the Buddha did not consider every trance to be necessarily good, for it must aim at the right end. He, however, realised that there were those who devoted to yogic exercises to acquire supernatural powers. So the Buddha refined the practice by telling them that even such powers could be acquired only through the practice of righteouaness and wisdom. ( Akankheyya Sutta, S. B. E. Vol. XI, ) Acquisition of supernatural powers does not confer any spiritual advantage. It was for this reason that the Buddha forbade his disciples to work miracles for display...
Now, he does not allow his students to try developing supernatural powers prior to attaining Wisdom. -
hmm, i suggest you don't try it... it can have undesirable results.
wisdom is good, but i don't think wisdom comes from meditating.
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Originally posted by dumbdumb!:
Yes meditation should properly guided, with proper and correct instructions.
hmm, i suggest you don't try it... it can have undesirable results.
There are countless kinds of meditations, but most do not lead to enlightenment.wisdom is good, but i don't think wisdom comes from meditating.
Wisdom can come from the correct practise of Meditation. Buddha also practised meditation for 49 days under the Bodhi tree before Buddhahood.
But there are different kinds of meditations and not every type of meditation leads to enlightenment. Prior to Buddhahood, Buddha was still finding out what is the right way to attain Enlightenment.
He learnt under two previous teachers who led him to experience 7th and 8th Shamatha jhanas respectively, but he still could realise Enlightenment and Liberation from them. (I have mentioned about shamatha jhanas in my previous post)
He left, practised ascetism, and came under the same conclusion that extreme ascetism and body denial is also not going to work.
It was only later that he found out the way to attain Enlightenment.
Since then till today, there are countless people who have attained enlightenment through practising the Buddha's teachings, including some from this forum (but not me). -
Hey
Thanks for the advice. Well, i was not told by anyone to feel the empty space around me. Its just that i suddenly felt that when i visualise myself in an empty space, my body just seem to be like that as well.
Btw, do you actually feel afraid when you feel so light in the body and mind? I guess i also wouldnt try third eye meditation though i still dont understand the pain on my forehead, is it really my body trying to open a so called third eye or is it that i focus too hard on a particular area of my body?
I believe enlightenment will come slowly over years of meditation in retreat. However, for me, i personally feel that my meditation will only only allow me to relax and visualise and think very clearly on issues when in a deep meditative state. -
Originally posted by jackal33:
I'll let my friends answer you on this.
Hey
Thanks for the advice. Well, i was not told by anyone to feel the empty space around me. Its just that i suddenly felt that when i visualise myself in an empty space, my body just seem to be like that as well.
Btw, do you actually feel afraid when you feel so light in the body and mind? I guess i also wouldnt try third eye meditation though i still dont understand the pain on my forehead, is it really my body trying to open a so called third eye or is it that i focus too hard on a particular area of my body?I believe enlightenment will come slowly over years of meditation in retreat. However, for me, i personally feel that my meditation will only only allow me to relax and visualise and think very clearly on issues when in a deep meditative state.
Not really. I have many teachers and friends who attained enlightenment without going to retreats. My taiwanese teacher attained enlightenment a few days after meeting my Master -- he didn't go for whatever retreats. My enlightened forum friends too I haven't seen them going for retreats whatsoever. But usually to deepen one's enlightenment experience is a longer process, and of course if one has retired and has the time to dedicate more time to practise it will be good, as many practitioners and my taiwanese teacher has done so.
But it'll be a totally wrong idea that to gain enlightenment you have to give up your jobs, retreat into the mountains etc. Lots of enlightened people have jobs and families, as are my dharma teachers who are lay persons as well as some of our forummers. And BTW, there are lots of enlightened people today.
Most important is to have a consistent practise. Consistent meditation have two aspects -- first it's good that you be consistent in your sitting meditation practise, but most importantly be consistent in practising in daily living. Meditation is not just in sitting. Not only should one practise sitting meditation, one must practise the dharma in daily lives. Enlightenment is truly possible. We should know the Dharma and practise it every moment. Then it is very possible to attain enlightenment.
One should not just aim for some little peace in life through meditation. Because if you just practise meditation it can give you a little peace sometimes, but you will not be able to retain peacefulness in the midst of situations and troubles. Therefore if you just practise like that it's not going to be of much help. There will not be much wisdom and results.
Practise should be every moment in our lives, not just 30 minutes or an hour every day.
BTW, hope you can read this, cultivation explained in very simple terms: http://www.jenchen.org.sg/cultivat.htm -
yo after you open your 3rd eye already, if you don't find it fun, do you know how to close it back or not?Originally posted by jackal33:Just wanna ask more about third eye meditation. Third eye meditation is meditataing by visualising and focusing on the supposedly third eye area. How do you feel after doing this meditation for like 3 minutes?
In my case, my forehead starts having a pain and i feel wierd all over. I wonder if this is called deep meditation where eventually, i can visualise having nothing around me and i am in empty space. Furthermore, i also feel my body is very light. Is this normal? -
What do you guys mean by " enlightened pple " ?
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That means an Arya, a noble person who have entered the noble path. In Buddhism, an Arya is at least a Sotapanna (Stream enterer) or a 1st Bhumi Bodhisattva.Originally posted by knightlll:What do you guys mean by " enlightened pple " ?
Such a person have at least had a glimpse of the Ultimate Reality/Emptiness and Nirvana through direct experience. -
Practise the third eye meditation is not very common
During Buddha's time ,Anarigika was a lazy bhikkhu who often dozed off in Buddha's sermon .
Buddha warned him abt the Karmic consequence of doing so .
By the time he turned blind , its too late,
but with determination and great remorse and resolve , Anarika attained the "third eye" meditation
I dunno who in the Mahayana Sangha still have this level of samadhi
the best is still doing the Visualisation and Contemplation on Impermanence
in Mahayana before one decide to try this out
Sorry ,I am a mantra and Buddha name chanter -
Hi, actually that is 'deva eye', not 'third eye'. Angarigika was told to practise developing the deva eye as a substitute for his physical eyes. Third eye is something else...Originally posted by bohiruci:Practise the third eye meditation is not very common
During Buddha's time ,Anarigika was a lazy bhikkhu who often dozed off in Buddha's sermon .
Buddha warned him abt the Karmic consequence of doing so .
By the time he turned blind , its too late,
but with determination and great remorse and resolve , Anarika attained the "third eye" meditation
I dunno who in the Mahayana Sangha still have this level of samadhi
the best is still doing the Visualisation and Contemplation on Impermanence
in Mahayana before one decide to try this out
Sorry ,I am a mantra and Buddha name chanter
Update: a discussion with Bohiruci --
(9:31 PM) i work in an mnc: Buddhism we know as the place where the bai hao is lor
(9:32 PM) i work in an mnc: u know Amitabha
(9:32 PM) i work in an mnc: in between his eyebrow
(9:32 PM) i work in an mnc: that place is where the bai hao lor
(9:32 PM) i work in an mnc: we pay respect why we form two pointing finger touching the eyebrows
(9:33 PM) i work in an mnc: is becos thats where the wisdom come from
(9:35 PM) AEN :: yes that one is third eye
(9:35 PM) i work in an mnc: icic
(9:35 PM) i work in an mnc: hmm
(9:35 PM) i work in an mnc: i dun want to go too deep
(9:35 PM) AEN :: so
(9:35 PM) i work in an mnc: never have any learned one teaching me
(9:35 PM) AEN :: third eye is not deva eye or spirit eye or what
(9:35 PM) AEN :: strictly speaking its Wisdom eye
(9:35 PM) i work in an mnc: so i rather refrain discussing on that
(9:36 PM) AEN :: but most ppl misunderstood it
(9:36 PM) AEN :: and then alot of ppl think they open 'third eye' and see ghosts etc
(9:36 PM) AEN :: actually has nothing to do with that
(9:36 PM) AEN :: only enlightened ppl have third eye
(9:36 PM) i work in an mnc: haha
(9:36 PM) AEN :: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Third_eye
(9:37 PM) AEN :: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urna
(9:37 PM) AEN ::
Jump to: navigation, search
An Urna is a concave circular dot- an auspicious mark manifested by a whorl of white hair on the forehead between the eyebrows. It is often found on the 2nd and 3rd Century sculptures of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas. Sometimes it is represented with a jewel.
Urna is the 31st physical characteristic of Buddha. It symbolizes and radiates wisdom. It is also a symbol for a third eye, which represents the power to emit a beam of light and illuminate the world.
(9:38 PM) i work in an mnc: yeah
(9:38 PM) i work in an mnc: u got it
(9:38 PM) i work in an mnc: hmm
(9:38 PM) AEN :: any enlightened being shld have third eye... but actually the white hair i tink not many ppl got... my master for one got the white hair, if u read his story he mentioned he went to pure land and asked amitabha for the dharma to grow the white hair
(9:38 PM) AEN :: lol
(9:39 PM) AEN :: then really he got a very long white hair... when he pull its lengthened... if its cut it grows quickly again
(9:39 PM) i work in an mnc: ya
(9:39 PM) i work in an mnc: thats bai hao
(9:39 PM) i work in an mnc: the wisdom seal
(9:39 PM) AEN :: ya -
OEi
AEN , you are more and more like Letterman show liao
people paiseh to have the msn conversation posted lah
Anyway good to see your posting ,
its just one of the many innovative ways to inject new impetus to forum topics
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Thanks for the explanation.Originally posted by An Eternal Now:That means an Arya, a noble person who have entered the noble path. In Buddhism, an Arya is at least a Sotapanna (Stream enterer) or a 1st Bhumi Bodhisattva.
Such a person have at least had a glimpse of the Ultimate Reality/Emptiness and Nirvana through direct experience. -
Haha sorryOriginally posted by bohiruci:OEi AEN , you are more and more like Letterman show liao
people paiseh to have the msn conversation posted lah
Anyway good to see your posting ,
its just one of the many innovative ways to inject new impetus to forum topics
But I think it's good for people to know the true meaning of 'third eye'... -
Yeah thats for helping me explain the true meaning of the third eye meditation. This thrid eye is mroe like a eye to look into yourself. ITs more twoards self awakening. Its not like you do the thrid eye meditation for 1 hour then after that can see spirits lol.
I guess the whole idea for this meditation is to really visualise an eye that looks into you and this eye is right above the centre of your eye brows. I tried another third eye meditation and the forehead does not heard that bad now. I even feel that the focusing on the forehead is really good as you can really go into deep meditation easier even though you are in a rather crowded and noisy place. -
Originally posted by jackal33:
Yes.
Yeah thats for helping me explain the true meaning of the third eye meditation. This thrid eye is mroe like a eye to look into yourself. ITs more twoards self awakening.Its not like you do the thrid eye meditation for 1 hour then after that can see spirits lol.
However, "third eye practise" or opening chakras, activiting whatever thing in the head or what, has nothing to do with Buddhism. Buddhism doesnt teach these things.
I guess the whole idea for this meditation is to really visualise an eye that looks into you and this eye is right above the centre of your eye brows. I tried another third eye meditation and the forehead does not heard that bad now. I even feel that the focusing on the forehead is really good as you can really go into deep meditation easier even though you are in a rather crowded and noisy place.
Enlightenment and the true third eye can only come from insight practise leading to the opening of the Wisdom Eye....
All those practises such as third eye meditation etc do not lead to enlightenment.
I suggest you receive proper instructions from a qualified and experienced teachers... then your meditation will be fruitful..
p.s. I sent you a PM... -
Hi,Originally posted by jackal33:Yeah thats for helping me explain the true meaning of the third eye meditation. This thrid eye is mroe like a eye to look into yourself. ITs more twoards self awakening. Its not like you do the thrid eye meditation for 1 hour then after that can see spirits lol.
I guess the whole idea for this meditation is to really visualise an eye that looks into you and this eye is right above the centre of your eye brows. I tried another third eye meditation and the forehead does not heard that bad now. I even feel that the focusing on the forehead is really good as you can really go into deep meditation easier even though you are in a rather crowded and noisy place.
Just an opinion.
If the meditation causes your head to hurt, it is more advisable to stop this kind of meditation. Some meditation techniques are not safe.
Also, meditation often has been miscontrued to include all kinds of esoteric connotations. This is not true. Certain meditation is really a skillful art in relaxation. Because deep relaxation is not easy at all.
Having said that I did practice 'esoteric' meditations before.
regards -
Originally posted by jackal33:Just wanna ask more about third eye meditation. Third eye meditation is meditataing by visualising and focusing on the supposedly third eye area. How do you feel after doing this meditation for like 3 minutes?
In my case, my forehead starts having a pain and i feel wierd all over. I wonder if this is called deep meditation where eventually, i can visualise having nothing around me and i am in empty space. Furthermore, i also feel my body is very light. Is this normal?Originally posted by jackal33:Hey
Thanks for the advice. Well, i was not told by anyone to feel the empty space around me. Its just that i suddenly felt that when i visualise myself in an empty space, my body just seem to be like that as well.
Btw, do you actually feel afraid when you feel so light in the body and mind? I guess i also wouldnt try third eye meditation though i still dont understand the pain on my forehead, is it really my body trying to open a so called third eye or is it that i focus too hard on a particular area of my body?
I believe enlightenment will come slowly over years of meditation in retreat. However, for me, i personally feel that my meditation will only only allow me to relax and visualise and think very clearly on issues when in a deep meditative state.
hi there, i'll just share a little.Originally posted by jackal33:Yeah thats for helping me explain the true meaning of the third eye meditation. This thrid eye is mroe like a eye to look into yourself. ITs more twoards self awakening. Its not like you do the thrid eye meditation for 1 hour then after that can see spirits lol.
I guess the whole idea for this meditation is to really visualise an eye that looks into you and this eye is right above the centre of your eye brows. I tried another third eye meditation and the forehead does not heard that bad now. I even feel that the focusing on the forehead is really good as you can really go into deep meditation easier even though you are in a rather crowded and noisy place.
i'm still learning and i'm only practicing buddhist meditation. i'm not fluently experienced in whatever third eye meditation or deep meditation but i do have some phenomenal experiences during meditation with simple breathing methods. i don't practice third eye or chakra meditation so i'm not sure how it should be done. it would be advisable for you to have a qualified teacher to guide you along in whichever pursuit.
i think body feeling light is very normal because i also experienced that during initial time when i started practicing but this feeling of lightness i'm not sure how common is it in everyone though in my opinion it's perfectly normal.
i don't practice any visualisation in meditation as this aspect has to be guided by a highly qualified shi fu. there are many kinds of meditation. meditation is partly for relaxing and at the same time unique to buddhist practice for studying the mind and look into our true nature and all others. to visualise an eye looking at you is actually erroneous because there is truly no self witnessing. an eye cannot view itself. have you asked yourself what's the purpose of practicing third eye or for the matter - meditation? have you asked yourself "who am i" "what am i looking for" or whatever inquiry related to your interest in meditation?
yeah in fact every moment is meditating even in the midst of daily busy life. i also do meditation (not obviously) when i'm in mrt ride.
all the best to you in your journey! -
Hi... may I ask were you writing this based on your experiences..? (just curious)Originally posted by paperflower:i say these because through the disappearances of body & mind, one can directly see into the nature of reality. the empty space you so called visualised has no observer in fact. it is not really the consciousness but this empty space is the pure awareness like pervading all space. here you cannot identify with anything or give a name to even the space you perceive because when you want to locate the mind as in form, it is all pervading and cannot be pointed out and even you wanna call space - space, you can't possibly do so because it's also the one mind. -
yesOriginally posted by An Eternal Now:Hi... may I ask were you writing this based on your experiences..? (just curious) -
I see..
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edited...
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edited...
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wow, interesting. so how you going to proceed further from there.Originally posted by paperflower:i'd also love to share one of the meditative moments i experienced. readers please read with discernment or for the fun of reading. descriptions are not 100% accurate because experiences are not that easy to put into words. moderators, if this content deem inappropriate please delete.
Meditative Moments:-
What I experienced / How I practicedÂ….