Continuing the chakra journey up the spine, we spiral up from the root chakra at the base to get to the space between the eyebrows, the third eye center. The 6th chakra, Ajna, means to perceive and command; an energy center associated with visualizing, connecting with Spirit and expanding our perception of reality as we know it.
The order of the chakras build on each other in a way that is not linear in application, yet they reside in the physical body in such a way that each chakra aides in balancing one another from our root chakra at the base of the spine, that feeds our creative and sexual energy in the sacral chakra, which flows towards to motivate our inner power and will found in the third (solar plexus) chakra, igniting our love and compassion that resides in the heart chakra, fulfilling our ability to express and listen in the throat chakra and arrive at the 6th chakra where spirituality, inner vision and wisdom take form. Ajna allows us to reimagine and see beyond the “way it’s always been”.
This energy center governs our ability to engage with our imagination and see beyond the physicality of what is right in front of us. When Ajna is balanced and supported we are better able to act from the inner wisdom within and command our attention and actions in alignment with our rooted truth; what really matters to us.
“With practice, we are able to see beyond our limited reality,” says Caroline Shola Arewa in her book Opening to Spirit. This practice is often associated with meditation and visualizing. In the framework of these practices we can focus the energy of the mind to perceive seeds of future realities that align with our values.
Grace Lee Boggs shares a framework of activism that requires some attention that reminds me of the energy in the 6th chakra. Her ideas on revolution revolve around reflection, philosophy, how we relate to ourselves and reality. In the words of Boggs, “People are aware that they cannot continue in the same old way but are immobilized because they cannot imagine an alternative. We need a vision that recognizes that we are at one of the great turning points in human history when the survival of our planet and the restoration of our humanity require a great sea change in our ecological, economic, political, and spiritual values.” Reflection plays the perceiving role here in the 6th chakra and enables us to get creative, solve problems and make what once seemed impossible, possible.
Through reflection, meditation and guidance of teachers both within and out, we can tap into this wise energy that governs the 6th chakra. A deeply connected and spiritual energy that expands reality beyond time and space. Taking time to be quiet, to sit, to embrace idle time can help strengthen the relationship between self and inner teacher; to see these two as one, as a whole that makes up you. Many consider this time, meditation. Something to consider is each of us can embrace our own personal way of meditation, ways of connecting to our inner teacher. Time in nature, making art, laughing with friends, sharing stories or other practices that make you feel deeply connected can be your way of connecting to your spirituality and ajna.
As with all the chakras, the fluctuation between balance and imbalance or awareness and lack thereof is a part of the human spirit. Ajna is another component of the human experience that is constantly changing and being influenced by outside stimuli. When we can make space for imagination, for visualizing a future that is aligned with our values, that is where the energy of ajna is sparked; where we perceive and command our energy in a way that is of benefits to us as individuals, to others and future generations.