Categories: Third Eye: Practical Meditation
May the blessings of the Triple Gem be with you all!
Today, through our spiritual teachings, I wish to share a profound practice on the topic: ‘Let’s Learn to See Correctly with the Third Eye.‘ This guidance is especially for those of you who feel your spiritual sight, or Third Eye, is beginning to open.
However, the principles we will explore are valuable for anyone on a spiritual path, regardless of your current experiences. So, whether you are new to this journey or have been on it for some time, I invite you to read this article in its entirety.
This teaching will be beneficial for anyone with spiritual abilities, for those who practice deep meditation, known as Dhyāna, and for those who have awakened their Kundalini energy. The wisdom here applies to all seekers.
Navigating a World of Skepticism
In our modern world, there is a tendency to label anything that science cannot immediately measure or prove as a ‘myth’ or ‘superstition.’ Some people, particularly certain modern skeptics, quickly dismiss spiritual experiences they haven’t had themselves.
They hear about something like the Third Eye, an inner vision that perceives unseen spiritual realms, and immediately reject it. This is often because it doesn’t fit into a purely materialistic, scientific worldview.
But think about it: how much is there in this universe that science has yet to discover?
From the depths of the ocean to the vastness of space, our knowledge is still incomplete. So, when a person with genuine spiritual or psychic abilities perceives something beyond the ordinary senses, is it fair to label it a delusion? When the Buddha’s ancient teachings are discussed, some are quick to call them myths.
This perspective comes from their own limited understanding. A true spiritual practitioner doesn’t attack science, nor do they attack what is beyond science. Instead, they seek to understand. They take what is useful from every field of knowledge and focus on the ultimate goal: purifying the self and attaining spiritual liberation.
Is It Real, or Just My Imagination?
A very common view you may have encountered is that everything seen with the Third Eye is just a product of the mind, a hallucination, or a fantasy. This idea is most often promoted by those who have no personal experience with these spiritual states. They haven’t felt it, they haven’t seen it, so they declare it’s not real.
Should we accept their conclusion? Absolutely not.
Their lack of experience does not invalidate the experiences of others. They dismiss everything that doesn’t fit their framework as a myth. I urge you not to be swayed by such individuals. Often, these ‘radical’ thinkers are seen as intellectual heavyweights, but from a spiritual perspective, there is little of substance to be gained from their views.
They are often wrestling with their own mental agitations and projecting them onto the world. Let us understand this dynamic and then turn our focus to our main topic.
The Core Doubt: Discerning True Vision from Thought
Many of you who have an open Third Eye have asked me, ‘Venerable Sir, are the things I see real, or are they just things that are already in my mind? Am I seeing this because I’ve seen a picture of it before?’ This sense of doubt, known in Buddhism as Vicikicchā, is a common hurdle.
You might see powerful spiritual places, like the great Ruwanwelisaya stupa in Sri Lanka, a place touched by the Buddha’s presence. With your Third Eye, you might perceive streams of light or even see inside the structure’s relic chamber. You might perceive non-human beings, gods (devas), or celestial beings (brahmas). You might see the energy fields around crystals or the way Kundalini energy awakens the chakras. But then the doubt creeps in: ‘Is this just my imagination?’
How do we overcome this doubt and learn to see correctly? How do we know if what we see is a true vision or just a thought?
The Solution: The Power of Adhiṭṭhāna (Spiritual Resolve)
The key to verifying what your Third Eye sees lies in a powerful technique called Adhiṭṭhāna. This Pali word translates to ‘determination,’ ‘resolution,’ or ‘spiritual resolve.’ It is not a mere wish; it is a firm, heartfelt, and sincere command you make from the core of your being to reveal the truth.
Here is how you apply it. Let’s say you are visualizing the Ruwanwelisaya stupa, and the doubt arises: ‘Am I just remembering what it looks like?‘ At that moment, make this specific Adhiṭṭhāna: ‘If this vision of the Ruwanwelisaya that I am seeing with my Third Eye is merely a creation of my mind, a projection based on a past memory or an old mental image, may this vision disappear and fade away.‘
Repeat this resolution two or three times, with complete sincerity and conviction, until the doubt in your heart subsides. You must do this from your heart, with full integrity.
Testing Your Visions: A Practical Guide
The result of this practice is immediate and clear. If the vision you are seeing is indeed a product of your own mind, a simple memory, or a fabrication, it will definitely vanish. It will fade, blur, or disappear entirely. This is a confirmation that what you saw was a mental projection.
However, if your mind is not creating it, and you are truly seeing with a clear Third Eye, the vision will not fade. It will remain stable and clear. This method gives you a reliable way to gain certainty.
This technique is not limited to places. You can use it when you visualize a person, such as your mother. If you wonder, ‘Am I just seeing the image of my mother that I hold in my mind?‘ make the same resolution: ‘If this image of my mother is just a projection from my thoughts, may it disappear.‘ If it is a thought, it will fade. This empowers you to know with certainty, ‘No, this is a true vision through my Third Eye.‘ You can apply this method, adapting it with situational wisdom, to any spiritual ability you are developing.
Guarding Against Deception and Influence
Your doubts may go even deeper. You might wonder, ‘Is another force creating this vision to mislead me? Could it be an unwholesome spirit or a being with wrong views showing me a false image?‘ This is a valid concern, as such things can happen.
In that moment, adjust your Adhiṭṭhāna. Make this resolution from your heart: ‘If this vision is being created for me by an external force, be it a misguided deity, a non-human spirit, or any unwholesome energy, may it fade away now.‘ Again, repeat this with sincerity. If an external entity is manipulating your vision, it will dissolve.
This allows you to confirm that what remains is from your own pure sight, your pure Third Eye.
This is also true for visions that arise after hearing a teaching. I have given talks about places like Sigiriya, the sacred Sri Pada, and Bodh Gaya in India. You might think, ‘I’m only seeing this because the monk described it.‘ Test it! Resolve: ‘If I am seeing this merely because of what I heard in the teaching, based on the monk’s words, may this vision disappear.‘ If it’s a true insight, it will remain.
Why a Pure Mind is Essential for a Clear Third Eye
The ability to see clearly with the Third Eye is directly connected to the purity of your mind. If your mind is agitated or clouded by what we call the three poisons Rāga (lust, passion, greed), Dvesha (aversion, anger, hatred), and Moha (delusion, ignorance), your visions will be mixed and distorted. Jealousy, anger, or intense desire can act like a muddy filter, twisting what you see.
Someone might have an active Third Eye but see incorrect things because their visions are mixed with their own mental impurities.
This is why your state of mind is critical. A mind that has attained deep meditative states, known as Dhyāna, has its defilements temporarily suppressed. For those who have reached stages of enlightenment (like Stream-enterer, Once-returner, Non-returner, or Arahant), the mind is progressively purified, and visions are naturally clear. An Arahant has no such issues. But for most of us, our thoughts can interfere. Therefore, the most crucial step is to purify the mind before you look.
The Preparatory Practice: Calming the Mind Through Meditation
So, how do you achieve this necessary mental clarity?
The most effective way is through meditation. Before you intend to use your Third Eye to investigate something, first practice a calming meditation for a significant period. I recommend sitting in a Dhyāna practice, such as the formless meditations on infinite space or infinite consciousness that we teach, for at least half an hour, or preferably an hour.
After you have settled your mind in this deep state of calm, and your thoughts have subsided, gently emerge from the meditation. With this purified and tranquil mind, you can then begin to use your Third Eye.
Even then, continue to use the Adhiṭṭhāna method whenever a flicker of doubt arises. Use it instantly. If you feel a thought creeping in, make the resolve: ‘If this is from my thought, may it disappear.‘ Do not be discouraged if a vision fades. That is a success, you have identified a projection! Simply reset your intention with a new resolve: ‘May I now see the correct, true vision.‘ Be patient. The true vision will arise.
An Invitation to Truth-Seekers and a Warning Against Deception
This method can be used to investigate anything, even history. There are many who criticize me and argue about historical facts, such as whether the Buddha was born and enlightened in Sri Lanka. I extend an invitation to these individuals. Do not simply argue. Purify your own mind first. Enter a state of Dhyāna, become neutral, and leave your preconceived notions behind. Then, with an honest heart, use your Third Eye and the Adhiṭṭhāna technique to look for yourself.
Look at the life of Prince Siddhartha, one step at a time. If your spiritual potential and past meditative practice are strong, you can see these things for yourself.
You can investigate the facts mentioned in our great chronicles, like the Mahavamsa, or even events from more ancient times, like the era of King Ravana, for which there may be little written evidence. But you must do this with a pure mind. If you look with your desired conclusion already in your head, you will only see a reflection of your own bias.
And a word of caution: never lie about what you see. If you see the truth but then publicly claim something else to protect your old beliefs, you are creating a grave karmic obstacle. This dishonesty will cause your Third Eye ability to weaken and eventually disappear. This is a natural law, a punishment from the universe for misusing a sacred gift.
Conclusion: A Path to True Spiritual Certainty
I believe this knowledge, born from practical experience, will be more than enough for you to proceed with confidence. I have shared these important details on how to practice correctly, whether you are a beginner or have been on this path for some time. I will offer further teachings in the future about the specific visions that appear in the initial stages of the Third Eye opening.
For now, I hope you have grasped the essence of this practice of making a spiritual resolve.
By understanding these principles, you can gain certainty in your spiritual path and develop true, unwavering insight. Use these methods with situational wisdom, and your Third Eye, along with your other psychic abilities and meditative states, will flourish.
May you receive the blessings to attain a state of true spiritual certainty and correctness.
We invite you to walk this path with us. Read our teachings, and most importantly, apply them practically in your own life. as you practice, questions will naturally arise. Please feel free to share your experiences and questions in the comments below, via email or contact form. I will do my best to offer guidance in future talks based on your progress. For now, begin this practice with an open heart and a mind free from expectation. Cultivate it correctly, and may you find the clarity and peace you seek.
Thank you for joining us. We hope this blog will be of great benefit to your spiritual journey.
May you all be well and happy.
May the blessings of the Triple Gem be with you all!
