The third eye is documented in all major religions. Its major focus is on opening consciousness beyond the regular senses to achieve spiritual knowledge and enlightenment.
The third eye concept goes all the way back to the Wadjet, or Eye of Horus, of Ancient Egypt some 4000 years ago. It was a protective symbol linked to inner vision and remains one of the oldest symbols used in linking to internal consciousness.
In Christianity, the concept of the third eye describes seeing in a non-dualistic manner and approaching things in the way of mystics. The third eye is also described in the Eye of Providence, a popular image linked to God’s watching over humanity from heaven.
The third eye is also referenced obliquely in the Torah and Quran.
Buddhists regard the third eye as the “eye of consciousness,” representing the vantage point from which enlightenment beyond one’s physical senses is developed.
In Hinduism It is referred to it as “the eye of knowledge.” Hindus place a “tilak” between the eyebrows as a representation of the third eye. The third eye also relates to Hindu God Shiva, the god of destruction. His third eye opening is often a harbinger for catastrophe and destruction.
In traditional Chinese religions such as Taoism, “third eye training” involves focusing attention on the point between the eyebrows with the eyes closed. The goal is to help students tune in to the undercurrents of the universe and gain a foundation in which to develop advanced meditation levels and gain greater consciousness.