The Third Eye in Nei Gong: Beyond Mysticism into Direct Experience

Jiaoshi Andrea
3 days ago
3 min read

The third eye is one of the most fascinating and misunderstood aspects of spiritual life. In many traditions, it is surrounded by symbols, myths, and mystical stories. But what does it actually mean in the context of energy practice, Qi Gong, and Nei Gong? And why is it so important for our personal growth and spiritual development?

In this post, I want to share my personal understanding of the third eye — not from books, but from direct practice, experience, and validation with my teacher.

The Third Eye Beyond Symbolism

When I first encountered the idea of the third eye more than 20 years ago, it was mostly through stories, diagrams, and sacred geometries from different traditions — Indian, European, South American. Beautiful images, but often disconnected from daily life.

Over time, I realized that while symbols can inspire us, they also risk becoming filters. Instead of experiencing reality as it is, we see it through the lens of intellectual knowledge. True practice requires setting aside these lenses and entering into direct contact with our own energy.

The Third Eye in Energy Practice

In the Chinese tradition, we often talk about three main energy centers, the Dantians:

Lower Dantian (below the navel) – the foundation, storage of vital energy
Middle Dantian (at the heart center) – emotional balance and connection
Upper Dantian (at the center of the head) – clarity, perception, and higher awareness

The third eye corresponds to the Upper Dantian (Shen Tan). It is not just a symbol. It is an energetic point with a real function:

It allows clarity and intuition to emerge.
It dissolves confusion and inner conflict.
It acts as a point of connection, like a “Wi-Fi” that opens us to something beyond our limited perspective.

Without this point being active, certain deeper expressions of Nei Gong — even advanced ones like Fa Gong — cannot truly happen.

Balance: Roots and Branches

Of course, focusing only on the third eye is dangerous. Many seekers chase visions, mystical states, or “flying high” experiences (sometimes through plants or techniques) without building roots. This leads to imbalance.

Nature teaches us a simple truth: a tree can only grow tall if its roots go deep.The same applies to energy practice. While the third eye is essential, it must be cultivated together with the Lower Dantian and the health of the physical body. True progress means being rooted and grounded while also opening to higher perception.

Feminine and Masculine Qualities

One interesting aspect I’ve observed is the role of feminine qualities in opening the third eye. Women often have stronger intuition and a natural receptivity that supports this opening. For men, who are often conditioned to “do” and “push,” learning to receive and to become quiet is a powerful transformation.

In practice, the masculine quality is discipline — sitting and doing the work. The feminine quality is receptivity — opening to what is beyond us. Together, they create balance.

Why the Third Eye Matters

Developing the third eye is not about seeing visions or chasing mystical powers. It is about:

Clarity of mind – dissolving fog, projections, and confusion.
Intuition – a deeper guidance that helps us make decisions in alignment with life.
Connection – opening to something greater than our individual self.

This alone could already solve most of our inner struggles.

A Final Word

If you are exploring Nei Gong, Qi Gong, or any energy practice, I encourage you to look at the third eye not as a mystical curiosity, but as a practical and vital part of your development. Cultivate it with patience, balance it with grounding, and you will find it opens doors far beyond what words can describe.