practice for Friday, February 28: the Eye of Wisdom

“There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun.”

-Thomas Merton

Today’s practice focuses on opening the “Third Eye” or the Eye of Wisdom. The space located between and just above the eyebrows is not only the focal point of the pituitary gland, but has been recognized for centuries as the center of intuition and spiritual awareness. Hindu cultures adorn this center with a sacred red dot, Tibetans greet each other by touching foreheads, Christians receive the baptismal “chrism” and the ashes of Ash Wednesday on this spot.

Body: Acupressure is a gentle and effective therapy for opening the pathways of the subtle body that may be blocked or closed. Using acupressure on the third eye “…can relieve pain, depression, chronic fatigue, mood swings, overwhelm, help to balance your pituitary and thyroid glands, cultivate your spirituality, and increase your intuition. This acupressure point often called the Third Eye Point, opens the homeostatic mechanisms of the pituitary gland, the body’s master gland of the endocrine system, which is vital for obtaining pain relief, radiant health, and for counteracting hundreds of dis-eases.” (http://www.acupressure.com/blog/?p=357)

Taking the tips of your fingers, gently press into the middle of the forehead. Using continuous pressure, slowly pull the tips of your fingers away from the center just above the eyebrows, toward the temples. When you get to the temples, gently press in and massage in a circular motion.

Breath & Mind: Spend some time with a candle today. Breathe slowly and deeply for a few breaths, being very mindful of the inhale, the suspension, the exhale and the open, empty feeling before the next breath. Let your mind settle on the flame of the candle. Watch as the flame flickers and dances, grows and shrinks, twists and jumps. Watch without judgment, without trying to control anything, just be mindful of this present moment: you, your breath, the flame.

If you don’t have access to a real candle, or a quite corner to yourself with a candle, here’s a video from YouTube to get you started…