The Pineal Gland and Spirituality
The Importance of the Pineal Gland
The pineal gland is a neuroendocrine gland that produces melatonin, a hormone that regulates our circadian rhythms which regulates our sleep-wake cycles.
Its main function is to receive and convey information about the light-dark cycle within our environment via the production and secretion of melatonin.
The circadian rhythms are the 24-hour cycles which occur naturally to regulate various behavioral processes such as physiological
functioning of the body and its systems, and the mental processes of the mind in living beings. These cycles are essential for maintaining
homeostasis (balance or equilibrium - the ability to maintain internal stability in a living creature to compensate for environmental changes).
In addition to regulating our sleep-wake cycle, the circadian rhythms helps to control our body temperature, coordinate hormone release,
influence appetite and digestion, and affect our mood and alertness.
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the brain is an internal clock which drives the circadian rhythms. Melatonin, cortisol, and other hormones play
a role in regulating the SCN. The hormone melatonin is produced during the night (periods of darkness) to allow the body to rest. Exposure to sunlight
during the day helps reset the SCN which works to promote wakefulness.
The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) can be thought of as the brain's main circadian pacemaker. It works with the pineal gland to produce melatonin, which
helps regulate sleep (a state of rest). Thus the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and pineal gland both work together in regulating our circadian rhythms.
Note: The SCN sends signals to the pineal gland via the paraventricular nucleus, intermediolateral nucleus, and superior cervical ganglion. These
signals control the sympathetic output to the pineal gland, which secretes melatonin, which helps to regulate our circadian rhythms and our state of
rest (sleep).
It is important that we get our proper ammount of sleep (rest). Studies have shown that disruption to circadian rhythm can lead to obesity and diabetes.
Also, disruptions to the circadian system have been linked to mood disorders and sleep disorders. Studies also show that a reduction in melatonin levels
as having an affect upon neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease and Pick's disease.
The Pineal gland
The pineal gland is a pine cone shaped gland of the endocrine system that produces several important hormones including melatonin.
It is a small endocrine gland in the vertebrate brain which is also called the pineal body, epiphysis cerebri, epiphysis, conarium or the "third eye".
Melatonin has the ability to entrain biological rhythms and has important effects on reproductive function of many animals,
sleep-wake cycles and other phenomena. It is a structurally simple hormone that communicates information about environmental lighting to various parts of the body. This light
transducing ability of the
pineal gland has led some people to conceive it to be the "third eye" - the source of "spiritual vision" or "intuition".
Scientists and the Pineal gland
The Pineal Gland and the awakening the third eye?
Scientists have been mystified by the pineal gland for centuries, they are however, well aware that the pineal functions as a
transducer between the mental and physical realms. But, the scientists cannot acknowledge that the mental and spiritual realms interlock or at least interact. The pineal gland
is the transducer or connector between the physical you and the spiritual you and link us out of the physical realm into the non-physical realms.
Metaphysics of The Pineal gland
The pineal gland in metaphysical contexts is often viewed as a "third eye" and the door to a deeper states of consciousness connecting to the spiritual realm.
Thus it is considered to be the seat of intuition, higher consciousness, and the link to spiritual awakening and an expanded sense of awareness.
In many ancient cultures, including Egyptians, Buddhists, and Hindus, the pineal gland is linked to spirituality, intuition, and enlightenment,
and is often connected to the idea of the third eye and seen as a symbol of spiritual vision. From the already stated information, it should be
easy to see why some traditions associate the pineal gland with a "light organ", considering its photo-sensitive ability therefore a potential role
in perceiving subtle or higher forms of light (wisdom and or light beings).
Intuition - realm of the non physical
Intuition is not something that can be validated in the physical realm nor is it easily explained.
Life is most meaningful when viewed as the existence of a transcendent non-physical realm.
How you receive and interpret intuitive input and guidance from your 'Soul' and the non physical realm will shape your
environment -"creating sacred space".
Pineal gland transduces Cosmic Light
Knowledge is often mistaken for Awareness.
Awareness may equal knowledge, however, true Awareness is attained in the "Mind".
When the "Heart", the emotional center and receptacle for Intuition (non physical), link together with the brain
and intellectual processing center (physical) - a third point of reference takes shape, the Mind (the Realm of Awareness).
This point is both intuitively acknowledged and intellectually identified - it is where the Soul dwells. It is here that
the Pineal gland transduce between the non physical realm and the physical realm!
Power and Authority of the Pineal Gland
The pineal gland (third eye) of every human being can be activated by frequencies (called spirit of spiritual powers).
An active pineal gland enables you to sense "The All Knowing" (Yahwah in Hebrew), and gives you that sense of oneness with your environment.
The pineal gland, once tuned to the proper frequency (spirit), will produce a mental and emotional condition in which a person experiences intense feelings of well-being (joy,
elation, excitement, and happiness).
Excerices such as meditation, yoga or many of the various esoteric or occult methods, will enable a person to travel into what is considered to be other dimensions, sometimes
refered to as astral travel or astral projection or remote viewing.
More advance practice of the ancient methods makes it possible for a person to control the thoughts and actions of people in the physical world.
Conversion of Nervous System Signals to Endocrine Signals
The nervous system is a network of specialized cells called neurons that serve as an information highway within the body. These cells
generate electrical impulses called action potientials that travel as waves of depolarization along the cell's membrane. These electrical impulses of the nervous system directly
influences the immune system. The signal which normally allows nerve cells to communicate with each other to alter sleep cycles can also re-direct actions of the immune system.
Individual nerve cells connect with one another through special junctions, called synapses. When a nerve impulse (action potiential) reaches the synapse, it releases a chemical
messenger (neurotransmitter substance) that diffuses across the synapse and triggers a new impulse in the dendrite(s) of one or more connecting neurons.
The system of glands which secretes a type of hormone directly into the bloodstream to regulate the body is known as the endocrine
system. Hormones are chemical mediators, released from endocrine tissue into the bloodstream where they travel to target tissue and generate a response. The hormones regulate
various human functions such as metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, and mood.
The endocrine system acts with nervous system to coordinate the body's activities. Melatonin is produced when the pineal gland is in
the dark, melatonin controls sexual receptivity. The level of melatonin in the blood varies with the day and night cycles (24-hour cycles called circadian rhythms) and with the
seasons. The level of melatonin in the blood is involved in sexual development - it help animals to time events such as when to breed, nest, migrate, etc. The reproductive cycles
of sexually reproducing animals are influenced by a number of hormones, including follicle stimulating hormone (control sperm production in males), leutinizing hormone (stimulates
production of testosterone), estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone.
See:
Nava Zisapel - Tel Aviv University
"Cellular effects of melatonin ... Understanding the biochemical basis of melatonin responses is important in view of the role of
this hormone in circadian rhythms, pubertal development, aging, reproductive and thermoregulatory functions and its oncostatic properties."
