Why is it hard to meditate with your eyes open?

[Tim R]

2 minutes ago, Gesundheit said:

Actually you can experience slight visual hallucinations if you meditate with your eyes open. The trick is to focus on one object, and one object only, and keep staring at it for as much as possible. At some point you will notice color changes and movements and even patterns will start to appear out of nowhere. Best objects for this kind of meditation are mosaic or any object with a bunch of colors and different details. It's really hard to stare at solid-colored objects. The key to this practice is to create stillness on the outside (vision) until it gets reflected on the inside. So if you move your eyeballs it won't be stillness and it won't work.

Yes, I've also experienced that. The visual distortions make it difficult sometimes. On the other hand, I sometimes get "visuals" with closed eyes, but it's way more pleasant - my head sometimes fills itself with white light. Haven't figured out what that might be but it's kinda nice.

[Bando]

@Jacobsrw Ive tried meditating with my eyes open and I find I get quite distracted.

Do you look at a blank wall or in nature? Or do you just let your eyes glaze over not really focusing on anything at all? Do you mind explaining your meditation routine?

[Jacobsrw]

On 09/11/2020 at 2:30 AM, Bando said:

@Jacobsrw Ive tried meditating with my eyes open and I find I get quite distracted.

Do you look at a blank wall or in nature? Or do you just let your eyes glaze over not really focusing on anything at all? Do you mind explaining your meditation routine?

That’s common.

For me I stare deeply into a static object unwaveringly and wait until I go into a deep daze. I pick a specific part of an object such as a letter on a label, slow my blinking and stare until my attention becomes hyper concentrated (believe it or not this is not stimulating after while but relaxing). I do this for several minutes before or after mediation, sometimes both.

From here I find thoughts are less pervasive. It’s a shortcut for me.

Edited January 22, 2021 by Jacobsrw

[eggopm3]

My eyes just start to get sore after a while. Or I'll start to become really aware of my blinking patterns which distracts me. Or I'll start darting my eyes around too much. Easier for me to just close my eyes and eliminate as many potential distractions as possible. My mind alone can be distracting enough sometimes.

[hoodrow trillson]

I actually do both.  Sometimes I realize that I've been doing closed eyes meditation for a while so I switch to open eyes.  Open eyes seems easier for me because I never get that "sleepy" feeling with closed eyes, or my mind doesn't go into thoughts as easily because I am presented with reality right in front of my face and have to observe it.

Both have their pros and cons but I feel like open eye meditation is the one that is a little bit more advanced.