One of the questions I get most frequently is, “why do we keep our eyes open in meditation…and do we really have to?” Check the video for my answer.
Stay tuned for our return to the discussion of the 6 Paramitas in the next newsletter.
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This makes so much sense, I am very new to meditation, however I am feeling so much space in my heart for myself already, no matter how humble my beginning.
Question: I am an artist, so a visual or image is always very grounding for me, like having a drishti point in yoga.
Does it help to have a focal point when we practice with eyes open, or do we stare at the wall, etc?
Thanks so much for sharing
Hello Catherine. When it comes to the placement of the eyes, it is not quite like finding a drishti point. The idea is to rest the eyes on a certain spot, but you don’t have to actually look at that spot, if that makes sense. In other words, the eyes remain still, but the gaze can take in the whole visual field rather than focusing on one small spot. Please let me know if this makes sense! S.
I am a little lost on where to find my previous post because I don’t remember where I posted. I just wanted you to know that I did not ignore your response!
Also I feel a little distracted when I listen to your voice as I try to follow my breath, so probably need to just listen while you talk. I have also felt irritated sometimes which is not unusual for me. Anger is an emotion I feel when I feel anxious so I am hoping the meditation will help with this. Also I practice in the evenings though I am not an evening person. This was to cut down on procrastination and to have an evening routine. However, I am doing it later and later, almost at bedtime. But I will have to keep trying. This is where the work of meditation happens. I have only been doing it for two weeks. Thanks, Susan! This Open Heart is a wonderful gift!
Hello Mary. Yes, listen and follow the instruction as given. If you get irritated, you are always welcome to turn the sound down.
It’s fine to practice just before bedtime.
I think you’ll find that as you practice more and more, feelings of irritation and anxiety will dissolve on their own.
Best! S.
Thank you do much for explaining this!! This is the first time I’m really doing open eye meditation and I find it helps tremendously with blending the transition from meditation to the “real” world haha;) I love your distinction between meditating to escape vs meditating to become more intimate with all aspects of our lives; there is a need to ground our meditation experience in our everyday realities, that’s when we see real changes in ourselves and then hopefully the world:) again, thank you for this, I’m so excited to begin my open eyes meditation journey!
I’m excited for you!