by Dvivid » Fri Apr 10, 2009 7:37 am
Not to delve too deeply into non-qigong topics, but:
1. The third eye is located in the front of the forehead, in the center, above your eyes. The acupuncture point is called Yintang.
The pineal and pituitary glands are linked to the function of the third eye, but they are not the third eye.
The space between the third eye, and the glands in the center of the base of the brain, is a chamber between the two hemispheres of the brain, known in qigong as the 'spiritual valley'. This resonant chamber is where our brainwaves are emitted from.
2. The seven chakras in Indian yoga and Buddhism, correspond to the seven pairs of matching acupuncture gates in qigong, which correspond to the seven bands of fascia that wrap the body.
These esoteric energetic concepts are based on real physiological structures in the physical body.
3. I experimented in my youth with lucid dreaming and astral projection, and had some surprising experiences. I agree it is very cool, and has valid benefits. In your qigong practice, these are considered "branches and flowers" of practice. YMAA students are encouraged to focus instead on the root of your practice, building the energetic core and circulation in the 8 vessels and 12 primary channels. These phenomena of leaving the body, seeing auras, psychic powers, seeing through walls, etc will happen naturally on their own in due time during your practice, but they are diversions from the path of 'holding the center' while building the Qi to higher levels.
Remember, they say 'don't pay attention to the scenery.'
4. In order to really open the third eye, you need to have done the necessary preparation work of being able to hold the center mentally and energetically, so your concentration can be focused from the pineal gland forward toward the third eye into the smallest and most intense point.
As it is understood currently from a Western perspective, this focused concentration energizes the bone at the Yintang, which is piezoelectric semi-conductor material, to threshold voltage, at which point the bone switches from nonconductor to being a conductor, and energetically opens. That's why people SUDDENLY experience a burst of enlightenment. They say, once the third eye opens, it stays open. You need to be prepared at that point to deal with a great deal more information coming into your head, 24 hours a day.
Great energetic focus, along with the psychological preparation, are needed for it to be possible. Very few people in modern times have achieved this, despite what they may tell you. True enlightenment is extremely difficult to achieve. The word is thrown around nowadays disrespectfully, and out of context.
By ancient standards, the word 'enlightenment' means nothing short of omniscience. Oneness with all consciousness in the universe. Oneness with every sentient being, on every planet, in every solar system, in every galaxy. Complete awareness of the ultimate nature of reality.
I promise if anyone of us had attained this difficult achievement, we would probably not be chatting on a web forum.
I hope we can continue to humbly share our enthusiasm and experience in these endeavors without drifting too far into fantasy.
"Avoid Prejudice, Be Objective in Your Judgement, Be Scientific, Be Logical and Make Sense, Do Not Ignore Prior Experience." - Dr. Yang
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