Tibetan Singing Bowl for the Third Eye Chakra

In today’s charts, the color associated with the third eye is indigo, a deep blue with a hint of purple.

In its traditional depiction, Ajna is symbolized by a two-petaled lotus. The left petal bears the letter “ham,” representing Shiva, while the right bears “ksham,” representing Shakti. According to tradition, these two petals symbolize the meeting of the Ida and Pingala energy channels with the central channel, or the union of two opposites: reason and intuition.

First, take a deep breath, then chant OM slowly throughout your exhalation, letting the sound vibrate between your eyebrows. You can do this as your bowl’s note begins to fade or alternate between listening to the bowl and repeating the mantra a few times during the same session.

Tradition assigns the mantra OM to the third eye, though it is sometimes replaced by the syllable KSHAM, which appears on one of the lotus petals. According to tradition, Ajna is also the only one of the first six chakras whose mantra is OM itself. Chanting OM is among the yogic practices dedicated to it. Imagine an indigo light with each repetition.

According to tradition, a blocked third eye would be marked by mental fog, self-doubt, and intuition so neglected that you constantly rely on others’ opinions. Conversely, an overly open chakra would show itself in a tendency to overinterpret everything and lose touch with reality. To reopen it, tradition suggests first noticing what feels out of balance, then turning to introspection, meditation, and sound. That is where the bowl comes in: it simply accompanies this work.

Headaches or vision problems must always be evaluated by a doctor and must not be taken as signs of this chakra. The sound of a Tibetan singing bowl cannot replace medical treatment.

In Sanskrit, ājñā can mean “to command,” “authority,” or “to perceive.” Ajna is therefore a center of both command and perception, a meaning that reflects its association with intuition. This chakra is also called the forehead chakra or the sixth chakra. In German, it is called Stirnchakra, which also means “forehead chakra.”

Amethyst is the third eye stone most often cited in tradition, followed by lapis lazuli and sodalite. Other lists also include fluorite and labradorite.

Traditionally, the stone is placed on the forehead during meditation. If you have an amethyst, you can lie down, place it between your eyebrows, and play your singing bowl beside you.

Tradition links the third eye chakra to the pineal gland because of its position near the center of the head, between the eyes, and its response to light. Located near the center of the brain, this gland regulates sleep through melatonin. Tradition also associates the nose, ears, eyes, and brain with this chakra. The philosopher René Descartes viewed the pineal gland as the principal seat of the soul. Keep in mind that the chakra remains a point of reference for meditation.

You don’t need a spiritual practice to use a Tibetan singing bowl for the third eye chakra. Anyone can use this instrument without prior knowledge: simply strike or rub it, then listen to its vibrations until they fade into silence to relax as you would during a simple meditation.

Yogic tradition reserves the full awakening of Ajna for strict discipline grounded in faith and regular exercises, but simply listening to the bowl is within everyone’s reach. If the chakra tradition appeals to you, feel free to explore it at your own pace. Otherwise, your bowl remains a musical instrument you’ll enjoy playing.