[ScosyGissiok]

Hello all,

My question is in meditation does it matter if your eyes are open or closed or is it just preference.

[BipiewExifese]

My question is in meditation does it matter if your eyes are open or closed or is it just preference.

Hi J,

I keep my eyes open, still, and focused on the space beyond the tip of my nose, because that's how I was taught originally. However some people who meditate always keep their eyes closed.

I think it probably varies according to the meditation teacher and the tradition one is practising with.

Personally I prefer eyes open to closed.

[fygESytT]

Hi Jupitermadcat,

You might find answers from this thread relevant to your question: http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries...open-or-closed

Abhaya

[Intiltern]

It doesn't matter, open helps avoid sleepiness, closed helps avoid distractions, I prefer closed.

[sciectotacype17]

I have learnt to be quite flexible about it. There are moments for open eyes and moments to close them. For example, if I feel stressed or some fatigue then to close them for a while is good and if I feel a little bit dizzy then I open them so to refresh the meditative session.

[indahouweres]

It doesn't matter, open helps avoid sleepiness, closed helps avoid distractions.

This

[Rtebydou]

Hi Jupitermadcat,

There is no hard and fast rules as to keep the eyes open or closed. Some teachers says you should do this, some says you should do that. My personal experiences were like this:

1. If I joined an old meditation group, everyone knows what to do.

2. If I joined a new group, especially a lots of new students and beginners, the teacher will tend to say something.
Once the teacher asked the students to keep their eyes closed because the new students were turning their heads
around with wide roaming eyes.

As new students, they are always curious as to what the next guy beside them are behaving.
Sometimes the heads are still, but the eye balls are spinning like crazy !

Another time, the teacher asked the students to open their eyes because half the students' eyes were shut, and heads nodding like crazy.

At times, there are crazy instructors who wanted 'uniformity' so they wanted only ONE method. Then there are instructors who demand 'authority' and 'superiority' in their schools, so you MUST follow their methods.

There are many instances of claims that 'A' is more superior than 'B' and such and such.

If you are practicing alone, then it's fine. If you encounter such schools, it is better to leave early..

There are pros and cons for individual practice and collective practices and it is best to find the method that is most comfortable for you.

[arindiruppyr]

Hi Jupiter,

Just in case you haven't seen it we have a Meditation Forum here at BWB (as well as a 'Meditation Room' with timer.) However, its advisable to read the guidelines first before posting there.

http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries...ad-guidelines)

There's also a meditation thread in our Study Links section.

A.

[BDDkDvgZ]

Hi Jupiter.
I prefer eyes closed, but I have heard a teacher say that to keep your eyes open just enough to let you see light.
Also just focusing on the floor.
My thought is do whatever you're most comfortable doing.