title: A Gnostic Inquiry of Apocryphal Magnitude

“The paradox of reality is that no image is as compelling as the one which exists only in the mind’s eye.”
Shana Alexander

Not long ago I was browsing through the Encyclopedia of Islam and the Middle East and came across an interesting work of art from the book “Anatomy of the Human Body” by Mansur ibn Muhammad ibn Ilyas al-Balkhi. It was a depiction of the various organs and arteries in the human body. What I found intriguing, though, was the golden center of the heart and the placement of two organs between the eyes.

Immediately I thought to myself, “Surly, he must have been emphasizing the Pituitary and Pineal Glands; this is far too small to be a representation of the human brain.”  Whether this was his intentions or not, Allah knows best, for I do not understand the Farsi language, nor do I know anything about this particular author, medical understanding, or religious beliefs.

From my own research, studies, and reflections this drawing reminded me of the Third Eye. Taoism has it, Buddhism, Paganism, Hinduism too; but what about the Abrahamic faiths? We see all sorts of literature from the New Age point of view on this subject. Why do we not see publications from the Judaic, Christian, or Islamic perspective? It’s there, so why are we shying away from this mysterious, esoteric concept?

The Third Eye is more commonly associated with meditation. It is the sixth chakra, a vortex of energy filled with visions of enlightenment that can not be described accurately by the mundane words of man, a portal to a higher state of consciousness, awareness, and wisdom.

A peaceful state of mind where one finds bliss, a perfect sense of peace, free from all obsessions of this worldly life.

When one engages the Third Eye they pass through a realm of the unseen, the Ghuyub. Hidden realities that is unperceivable by the ordinary senses. Indeed, the Third Eye isn’t an ordinary sense yet it is still there and active. In the medical sense we call the Third Eye the pineal gland, and it has an extremely vital role in the human body.

The Pineal gland secretes the hormone Melatonin which is important to our circadian rhythm, also known as the biological clock. The biological clock determines when one is most alert, most coordinated, when our blood pressure is highest, when we go to sleep…etc.

When this rhythm is interrupted there are several adverse health effects including fatigue, cardiovascular disease, insomnia, various cancers, and bipolar disorder. So when we ignore the insight of our biological clock, by default we ignore the insight of the pineal gland, our Third Eye. Not only does that hinder us physically and mentally but spirituality also.

Insight (vipassana) knows the nature of reality. In the Dhammapada scripture (Buddhism) of the Theravada school of thought,  insight has an important role on the path to purity so one can attain Nirvana:

“All created things perish, he who knows and see’s this becomes passive in pain; this is the way to purity.” (Dhammapada: The Way: 277)

Allah (subhana wa ta’allah) tells us the same, interestingly enough, in Surah al-Anbiya (The Prophets):

“Every soul must taste of death, and We try you by evil and by good by way of trial. And unto Us you will be returned.” (Surah 21:35)

It is interesting to note that Prophet Shammil (Samuel) is called “The Seer” in The Holy Bible.

“Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer (ra’ah), and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer.” 1 Chronicles 29:29

The Hebrew word used in this verse is the root (רָאָה) ra’ah.  To see literally or figuratively, perceive, think, learn about, have visions, observe, gaze at.

In Kabala, Chokmah (equivalent to hikmah) חָכְמָה (wisdom) derives from the word Chakam חכם (to be wise) a verb. Another word derived from this root is Chalam חָלַם (to dream ordinarily, prophetic, of false prophets, to be healthy, to be strong). As well as Chalaph חָלַף (to pass through, grow up, show newness, change for the better).

“And indeed We gave Moses after We had destroyed the generations of old the Scripture as an enlightenment (basaaa’ira) for mankind, and a guidance, and a mercy, that they might remember.” 28:43

From the Arabic language, and Islamic perspective; we have two different forms of sight. Basar (بَصَر) which means “sight,” “eyesight,” “Sense of seeing”, and Basir (بصير) which means: “Seer,” “Beholder,” “One who understands,” “One endowed with mental perception,” and “one knowing.” This is our spiritual insight.

One of the ninety-nine names of Allah is Al-Basir, One who sees clearly.

These words derive from the root basira, along with many other derivatives such as: Mubsiruna: those that are enlightened, Mustabsirina: Clear Seers, and Basiratun: enlightenment; insight.

“Allah causes the night and the day to succeed each other. Truly, in this is indeed a lesson for those who have absaar (insight).” 24:44

The pineal gland, our Third Eye, secretes Melatonin when our photoreceptors detect the onset of daylight and night time darkness. Is this the lesson for those who have insight?

“And if you do not bring them a miracle, they say: “Why have you not brought it?” Say: “I but follow what is revealed to me from my Lord. This (Qur’an) is nothing but evidences (clear insight, basaaa’iru) from your Lord, and a guidance and a mercy for a people who believe.” 7:203

Melatonin is linked to vivid dreaming.  Prophet Muhammed (sal allahu alahyi wa salaam) often received revelation that was revealed through the dreamscape.

In one hadith Aisha narrated: “The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah’s Apostle was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright day light, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him…” (Bukhari)

Prophetic dreams were not exclusive to Muhammed (sal allahu alahyi wa salaam) alone:

“And remember our servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all owners of strength in worship, and of religious understanding (wal’absaar).” 38:45

In the Qur’an, Abraham (sal allahu alahyi wa salaam) mentions his dream to his son:

“And, when his son was old enough to walk with him, he said: “O my son! I have seen in a dream that I am slaughtering you (offering you in sacrifice to Allah). So look what you think!” He said: “O my father! Do that which you are commanded, God willing, you shall find me of the patient.” 37:107

The word for dreaming in derived from the root word Halama. To dream, have a vision, understanding. Allah (subhana wa ta’allah) is called Al-Halim, Forbearing; also derived from this root.

Is vivid dreaming also a clear insight that is a guidance and mercy for those who believe? Is this of the favors from our Lord that we deny?

Since the beginning of creation, Allah (subahan wa ta’allah) has sent us a key to unlock our Third Eye and experience the enlightenment intended for mankind.  There were 124,000 Prophets and Messengers that Allah sent to every nation and the only insight we as Muslims consider is the Qur’an and Sunnah. We forget that Allah (subhana wa ta’allah) has created us into nations and tribes so that we may know one another, not look from side to side in suspicion.

Like every other Muslim, I too believe that the Qur’an is the last and final revelation which has been protected by Allah from the corruptive hands of men, unlike previous revelations.  I also believe that the Qur’an is the only authentic source of insight without corruption. But that does not mean that we can not look to other texts for wisdom just as we look to the Qur’an.

The taboo in that, it seems to me, is that our fellow brothers and sisters find this to be a heretical act of transgression. Setting partners beside Allah (subhana wa ta’allah). Granted, that is a true concern or worry with a legitimate basis.

One who is not strong in Islam, Iman, and Ihsan can indeed find the Truth leave the golden center of their Qulub (heart).

The root word for Qulub is Qalaba. “To turn,” “return,”  “turn a thing upside down,”  “change direction,”  “turn about face”.  Our hearts can be swayed to deny the truth if we do not have a full understanding of Taqwa.

Taqwa derives from the root Waqaya. “To protect,” “save,” “preserve,” “ward off,” “guard against evil and calamity,” “be secure,” “take as a shield.” Taqwa means protection. Warding off evil, observing duty, and abstainment. It also means observing the Divine ordinances in every walk of life.

To awaken the Third Eye we must be Muttaqi, one who guards against evil and against that which harms and injures, and is regardful of his duty towards human beings and God. You can not seek enlightenment if you are not Muttaqi, and you are not Muttaqi if you do not fully appreciate and understand the depth of Taqwa and the strength one must have to not only achieve, but constantly be aware of.

Because of this, I understand the fear of transgression; but to fear transgression more than we fear Allah (subhana wa ta’allah) and declare the act of enlightenment, opening your Mind’s Eye as haraam and something to avoid is a sign of low Taqwa.

There are many things we fear in this worldly life, but that type of fear (takhawwufin) is reserved for Allah alone.  To become lowly, humble, submissive, and confined to Allah in attention. To throw yourself completely at His mercy and love.

An interesting thing to consider, perhaps a first step towards enlightenment even: ask yourself this one question, why does the act of fully submitting yourself in worship to Allah during sajdah start with your forehead on the ground?

Opening your Third Eye, meditating, seeing the unseen and enlightenment are all essential for us Muslims, essential for Mankind.

But as the Buddha said, believe nothing, even if I’ve said it; unless it agrees with your own reason and common sense (‘aql), because Allah knows best.

Sources:
Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World – Editor in Chief Richard C. Martin
Dictionary of the Holy Qur’an by Abdul Mannan Omar
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/melatonin-000315.htm
http://www.sciencedirect.com – Processing of daily and seasonal light information in the mammalian circadian clock by Johanna H. Meijer
http://www.nimh.nih.gov – Lithium Blocks Enzyme to Help Cells’ Clocks Keep on Tickin’
http://www.biblestudytools.com
http://www.qbible.com