Many meditative practices will have you closing your eyes. The principal reason for this is that it’s a very easy way to shut off distractions. Your vision is the way you encounter most of the world initially. You may smell or hear something from time to time before you see it. Usually, though, your vision delivers the first dose of your environment.
This is why closing your eyes is suggested in many forms of meditation. We live in a very distracting and noisy world. Some video, audio, or otherwise electrically delivered stimulus is begging your attention at all times.
With eyes open, it can be hard for the most focused and devoted meditation practitioners to shut out what’s happening around them. Regular practice of meditation with your eyes closed programs your mind over time. The next time you close your eyes and begin a particular breathing routine, your mind understands it’s time for you to meditate.
So closing your eyes acts as a reminder of sorts. That’s not necessary for all forms of meditation.
What Are You Trying to Achieve?
One misconception about meditation is that all forms are the same. This isn’t true. You can practice different styles of meditation if you want to achieve different things.
Focused meditation sessions have you paying attention to a singular object. This can be an object or color in your mind. It’s often a physical object you have to view with your eyes open. This focused attention can take place if you are walking, sitting, and whether you are focusing on a single object or a group of objects.
Sometimes you’re not in an environment where you can sit or lie still and meditate. If you only have a few spare minutes when you are on the move physically, it’s probably smarter to keep your eyes open! You can still meditate in this physical state.
Close Your Eyes, Open Your Eyes, Do What You Like
A small minority of individuals may experience unfamiliar body sensations when they meditate with closed eyes. In this situation, open your eyes instead. Some forms of meditation will tell you to close your eyes. If that doesn’t work for you, if you don’t get the benefits you’re looking for, try that same style of meditation with your eyes open.
Meditation is a very personal thing. Don’t feel like you have to follow some set of rules to the letter.
Make your meditation work for you. Experiment with different types of meditation, eyes open or eyes closed, to find the form that gives you the most health and wellness benefits.
Leave a Reply