Eyes open or eyes closed?

#1 24-04-2011, 08:58 PM

Just wanted to find out how many people prefer eyes open meditation and who prefers eyes closed. Right now I do eyes closed, twice a day, 15 minutes each. As a former zen practitioner I used to do it eyes open, but felt that I wasn't developing at all with my spirituality.

#2 24-04-2011, 09:22 PM

I prefer to do it with my eyes closed. I can't get into the same deep states with my eyes open.... I've tried eyes open and I felt like it didn't really accomplish anything, but I am sure if I did it more often and was used to it, it would be more effective

#3 24-04-2011, 11:04 PM

I was thinking of maybe doing both. Eyes open in the morning, eyes closed in the evening. What do you think?

Lightspirit · #4 24-04-2011, 11:48 PM

I do both. with eyes open I see some things wiwth eyes closed I see others

Emmalevine · #5 25-04-2011, 12:33 PM

Always with eyes closed. I can't do it with my eyes open. Plus I like to see what's going on in my mind's eye - which can be quite spectacular!

#6 25-04-2011, 09:05 PM

I have a strange issue with my eyes flickering about when I do closed eye meditation, and the effort required to keep my eyelids closed irritates me and distracts me so I tend to do open eye meditation more. I don't get distracted by anything so it's no issue for me.

Topaz · #7 25-04-2011, 09:11 PM

May be I'm a day dreamer :) I can always see things clearly with my eyes open .

athribiristan · #8 25-04-2011, 09:56 PM

I prefer eyes closed, but sometimes that's not good....like when I'm driving.

There are some cool eyes open methods though, I like to focus on a candle flame or the smoke from incense.

#9 25-04-2011, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg

Just wanted to find out how many people prefer eyes open meditation and who prefers eyes closed.

I play around with both. I have read that the brain can devote much more attention to "nothingness" when the eyes are closed, though. Somhe etimes, I randomly imagine symbols and pictures and stuff.

However, I have seen many visuals when meditating with eyes open. Things like the world going black or white, walls moving, and things shining a kind of neon color.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg

As a former zen practitioner I used to do it eyes open, but felt that I wasn't developing at all with my spirituality.

Zen meditation isn't really meant for higher spiritual perception. It is more about meeting reality and yourself, as you sit, in the moment.

#10 25-04-2011, 10:21 PM

I do both. But I trance out naturally if nothing is stimulating my mind much, with eyes open. When I used to do moving meditation, that was with the eyes open...it has its practicalities. More ovten nowadays I will close my eyes to begin meditation...but at times I open them during meditation, out of curiosity more than anything.