Taken from the book Meditation by Linda Williamson

Regular meditation develops the most important psychic centre, the brow centre, commonly called the 'third eye'. With practice, we can learn how to use this in our lives.

Power stations

There are seven main energy centres within the body. They are called 'chakras', the Sanskrit word for wheel, because they appear clairvoyantly as whirling vortices of light. The chakras are situated in a line along the spine, starting with the root chakra at the base of the spine. Next is the sacral chakra, at the reproductive centre, the solar plexus at the naval, the heart, the throat, and the brow. The highest centre at the crown of the head is called the thousand-petalled lotus.

As a person begins to evolve spiritually, the chakras start to open and expand, from the lowest upwards. The expansion of the solar plexus gives increased sensitivity and intuition. As the heart opens, we are able to give out and receive greater love and compassion. The expansion of the throat centre begins creative ability and self-expression, while the crown connects us with the higher dimensions of spirits and with the deities.   

The third eye has always been linked with psychic and occult powers. Pictured as an eye in the middle of the forehead, its development gives the ability to see with the inner vision. This encompasses many things: clairvoyance, seeing spirits, remote viewing or seeing things in distant places, and foreseeing in the future. At the highest level, it bestows the gift of spiritual 'insight' and spiritual knowledge.

When you begin to see vivid pictures or colours during your meditation, this is a sign that your third eye is developing. All meditation practices stimulate the development of the third eye, particularly those which involve visualisation. The following exercise is particularly helpful because it focuses the attention at the exact point where the third eye is situated.

Opening the third eye:

This is a highly practical exercise for helping to develop your third eye. Don't persist in staring at the candle if your eyes begin to tire or feel sensitive. Remember, the focus is not on the candle, but your third eye.

Exercise: Candle meditation

1. Find a candle in a colour you like, perhaps white, gold or purple as these are spiritual colours. The room should be dark. Place the candle on the table about a metre away from you, slightly below eye level. Light it and gaze steadily at the flame. Calm your mind and steady your breathing. 

2. After a couple of minutes, close your eyes. You will see the after-image of the flame as a small point of white light in your mind's eye, the spot between the physical eyes. Keep your attention fixed on this point of light. Do not try to move, control or change it, just observe.

3. The light might appear to move upwards. It might change colour. Keep it in your inner vision for as long as you can. You may be surprised how long the image remains, sometimes fading and then reappearing again. When it fades completely, open your eyes and look at the candle again.

4. Repeat the procedure three times. The last time, try to hold the after-image steady without wavering. When you can no longer see it, keeping your eyes closed, continue to watch the space where it has been. Be aware of any colours or pictures that appear there.

Third eye encounters

The third eye has various other names, including 'the seat of intuition'. By focusing on this area during meditation, we gain a deep and persistent awareness of our intuition and proper judgment. With regular practice, this awareness can reach into our everyday lives. When we make decisions or face difficult situations we will be able to tap into our powers of judgment - instead of relying on external sources for answers to our problems.