Question: Would the opening of the third eye have to be done by a Master or would we have to do this ourselves?

Sri Chinmoy: The opening of the third eye can be expedited both by the Master and also by personal effort. However, it cannot open except by Divine Grace; it is the Grace that actually opens the third eye. The Divine Grace may work through a Master or it may work through you. Your teacher will give you some special exercise or discipline which you will perform and on your part also you have to work. Personal effort is indispensable, but mere personal effort is not enough. The result comes only when the Grace of the Supreme descends. Otherwise it will not be possible to open the third eye.

The help you receive can be from a living Master or a Master who has left the body. If the Master was a great Yogi, when he dies, it is just as if he has left his outer garment or he is living in the next apartment. Realised Masters can come next door at any moment to inspire you and tell you what to do. An ordinary human being dies and he is out of sight, out of mind. But for realised souls, time and space have no effect, nor do they affect you if you have a close connection with a true spiritual Master.

You could try to open the third eye on your own but it would be of no use. Once it opens it can create many problems for you will not be able to control it. It is like having a horse which you cannot keep under control. But if behind personal effort is the Grace of the Divine, then you will see the world, you will become the world and you will be the world.