The path from the second brain circuit to the third brain circuit (Yesod to Hod) is Path 19 on the Tree of Life and is called Resh. Resh is a Hebrew word meaning head. Since the third circuit is the Rational mind working from logic, "head" is appropriate here. The path from second to third circuit is one from Ego to conscious Rationality.
The third circuit opens up at about age 5 or 6 and is our learning circuit. This is why schooling has traditionally begun at age 6 when we begin "first grade" and our official intellectual studies. Although the third circuit actually begins to function at low levels at about age 3 or 4, it is completely under the control of the second circuit Ego at that time. This is where the Ego learns to control the Rational mind and even as the Rational mind increases in awareness, the Ego often (all too often) will keep its control of the Rational mind.
The opening of the third circuit varies in age from person to person and is open for many years, normally the rest of the persons' life, allowing continued training in school and college for most of a lifetime. If we worked on all our circuits as much as we (most of us) do on the third circuit, we would all be vastly improved in our mental and emotional states. The way we work on our third circuit (Rational mind) is to go to school. Schooling comes in many ways, but the manner in which the Rational mind is reached is by a focus on learning. When in school, we sit and answer to a teacher who keeps our focus on the subject for as much as an hour at a time. These methods of reaching our brain circuits through schooling and teaching techniques have been worked out through trial and error over many, many years.
Through this path, the Ego controls the Rational mind. When the Ego is damaged, the Rational mind can be forced to act according to the will of the subconscious Ego. Thus, Rational mind lends half- truths to the Ego emotional responses and control of people through cunning begins. We all know people who control with a mix of emotional and rational thought. They mix truth and fiction in such cunning ways you cannot penetrate their smoke screen of flawed questions that contain poison. "Have you stopped beating your children?" is a question which directly states you have been beating children yet, the questioner can back out easily be saying, "Let me rephrase that; you're misunderstanding me again." They know full well the questions or comments they ask and make are barbed and loaded with pain from the damaged Ego yet can cunningly cover up because they made a slave of the third circuit to produce a false cover they use both to hurt with and then hide behind. With practice, they will even forget that this is happening and believe they are behaving normally (just like everybody), totally joining with the second circuit Ego damage. This is a terrible and painful path which is run by a damaged Ego. The poisoned comment, the poisoned question come from this path.
The person afflicted with this poisoned mentality may not know it has happened. The Ego was damaged by the time this path was opened and they never knew any different. They can see that others behave differently sometimes but believe that how they feel is how everyone is and is "right"! When someone really works on changing it is sometimes possible to show them the poison in their intellect. Generally it is not possible and it will be required of them to move through this life in the pain they have and create, then reincarnate and try again. This is unfortunate and a true loss to humanity and themselves. People with poisoned third circuits normally are very intelligent and have a large amount of potential to do good. The Ego chooses to use the third circuit exactly because it is effective. Imagine how effective the third circuit would be if it worked from love instead of poison.
To cure this problem, you must first get the person to recognize the problem exists. Most will not be willing or able to see they have a problem. They will further believe, if they recognize the problem, that they will be defenceless without that poison. Since the poisoned intellect has been involved in huge problems in the past they will refuse to stop the poison now and become defenceless. If they could realize the problems they had in the past came from this poison creating misunderstandings, perhaps they would be more willing to give it up. However, the Ego takes no blame. It is never at fault and everyone else is the bad guy. The Ego will not allow responsibility to fall on it. No, No, Never! Always the Ego looks for blame elsewhere. Therefore, you must work from the third circuit. Since the third circuit is poisoned by the second circuit, take a step away from the second circuit and work back and forth from the third circuit (Rational mind, meditation, focus) to the fourth circuit (sexuality, chemical change, esoteric energy). (Source: kundalini-tantra.com)
