For centuries the pineal gland has been connected with spirituality, and thought to be the means of communicating with God. It’s called a 3rd eye because it has similar properties as the eye which is used to sense light and darkness. The pineal gland function lies in governing the production of hormones as well as the maintenance of the circadian rhythm, which is essentially our sleep/wake cycle. It is called pineal, named after the pine cone, for it’s pine cone shape. The gland is extremely small- the size of a grain of rice.
It has long been associated with the idea of the “third eye”, which is a spiritual symbol of all-knowing according to yoga philosophy and often perceived as a gateway for the soul’s liberation. Now before you go running off, saying that just because it has been regarded this way by Yoga advocates, it has to be wrong, let's consider it further. It has also been called ‘the eye of intuition‘, and it is the doorway through which the individual enters the astral and psychic dimension of consciousness. It is portrayed as a psychic eye located midway between the two physical eyes and it looks inward instead of outward.
The pineal gland acts as a lock on the pituitary. As long as the pineal gland is healthy, the functions of the pituitary are controlled. However, in most of us, the pineal gland started to degenerate when we reached the age of eight, nine or ten. Then the pituitary began to function and to secrete various hormones which instigated our sexual consciousness, our sensuality and worldly personality. At this time, we began to lose touch with our spiritual heritage. Melatonin is in part regulated by the pineal gland, and increased melatonin production can produce transcendent or mystical experiences. Are you following me so far?
The wrestling match of Jacob and God in Genesis may be a clue. Jacob’s wrestling match with God takes place when Jacob is in the process of returning to the land God promised Abraham. Jacob has divided up his family and animals into different companies and sends them ahead while he stays back on one side of a creek. He is completely alone. According to the Biblical story, something strange happens that night; a mysterious man wrestles with him until daybreak. This mystery man could not beat Jacob at the wrestling match, but he is able to dislocate Jacob’s thigh. This same man then tries to leave once morning comes, but Jacob doesn’t let him, at least not until he gets a blessing from the man. The man tells Jacob that “…Thy name shall no more be called Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and has prevailed.” (Gen 32:28). Here we get our first hint that the mystery man is God himself. The fact that the Biblical author means the mystery man to be God is revealed two verses later:
“And Jacob called the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Gen 32:30).
Is that a coincidence? We know that Jacob didn't see "face to face" in the literal sense. Was it a "dawned on" moment? Peniel was the name Jacob gave the place where the wrestling match with God happened.
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” (Matthew 6:22).
It has long been associated with the idea of the “third eye”, which is a spiritual symbol of all-knowing according to yoga philosophy and often perceived as a gateway for the soul’s liberation. Now before you go running off, saying that just because it has been regarded this way by Yoga advocates, it has to be wrong, let's consider it further. It has also been called ‘the eye of intuition‘, and it is the doorway through which the individual enters the astral and psychic dimension of consciousness. It is portrayed as a psychic eye located midway between the two physical eyes and it looks inward instead of outward.
The pineal gland acts as a lock on the pituitary. As long as the pineal gland is healthy, the functions of the pituitary are controlled. However, in most of us, the pineal gland started to degenerate when we reached the age of eight, nine or ten. Then the pituitary began to function and to secrete various hormones which instigated our sexual consciousness, our sensuality and worldly personality. At this time, we began to lose touch with our spiritual heritage. Melatonin is in part regulated by the pineal gland, and increased melatonin production can produce transcendent or mystical experiences. Are you following me so far?
The wrestling match of Jacob and God in Genesis may be a clue. Jacob’s wrestling match with God takes place when Jacob is in the process of returning to the land God promised Abraham. Jacob has divided up his family and animals into different companies and sends them ahead while he stays back on one side of a creek. He is completely alone. According to the Biblical story, something strange happens that night; a mysterious man wrestles with him until daybreak. This mystery man could not beat Jacob at the wrestling match, but he is able to dislocate Jacob’s thigh. This same man then tries to leave once morning comes, but Jacob doesn’t let him, at least not until he gets a blessing from the man. The man tells Jacob that “…Thy name shall no more be called Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and has prevailed.” (Gen 32:28). Here we get our first hint that the mystery man is God himself. The fact that the Biblical author means the mystery man to be God is revealed two verses later:
“And Jacob called the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” (Gen 32:30).
Is that a coincidence? We know that Jacob didn't see "face to face" in the literal sense. Was it a "dawned on" moment? Peniel was the name Jacob gave the place where the wrestling match with God happened.
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” (Matthew 6:22).
