Why closing your eyes may not be a good meditation practice.

If you look up mindfulness meditation practice steps, specifically "steps of meditation practice", the third step mentioned is to gently close the eyes.  Although this seems like  good idea, I am going to explain why there is a better way. 

In Buddhism, every statue of Shakyamuni Buddha or for that matter any sitting Buddha will have slightly opened eyes.  Here is some science as to why that may be a better idea. 

Although when we close our eyes, we see nothing and therefore are in a more relaxed space, this of then leads to 'looking within' more people reported 'rumination' when eyes were closed vs open.  

I recently polled people that regularly meditate regarding meditation and if they had their eyes opened, closed etc.  

Of the 253 that answered: 

6 left eyes open, focusing on something.

132 left eyes closed, no focus. 

54 left eyes closed, focusing on the 'third eye'.

44 had eyes slightly opened, not focusing. 

17 had eyes slightly opened, focusing on something.  

Admittedly I did not include 'eyes open, not focused on anything'  I figured 'eyes slightly opened and focusing was the same, but it is not.  

Here are some ideas I have on that.  

"Left the eyes open, focusing on something"  Those that focus on something are practicing a type of Samatha meditation, this is a very good way to concentrate the mind on one thing.  It is associated with Beta Brain waves and has a higher activity level.  This is a very good way to maintain focus on one thing, which is what many have trouble with that come to meditation in the first place.   We see this in the practice of the Kasinas as well in Buddhism.  Sometimes a flower, candle light, a shape, or other image can be used.  When we do this kind of meditation we can begin to see how we think about things.  It is a good practice to observe how our eye sense works and what questions it makes arise in the mind.  The drawback of this in my opinion is that if you are not 'focused' you cannot easily focus on one thing.  We tend to look around and that can be disrupting to our 'meditative' process and progress. 

There is lots of action in the brain when the eyes are open, with someone that is used to looking around a lot.   I also think about being  'wide eyed' what does that mean?  Fear? Aggression? Surprise?   Certainly there is a possibility that some would slip into those states of mind.   I think that someone that is practicing this way has some good practice already and are adept at at least in some relaxation techniques. 

'Left eyes closed, no focus.' 

Practice this way does decrease a lot of brain activity and keeps us from looking around.  When our eyes are closed, some will focus on 'lights' or 'floaters' and become distracted by that.  When the eyes area closed it is easy to decrease those Beta waves and increase the Alpha.  

Seven habits of a highly successful meditation practice.

 Define what we actually mean by ;successful'  This will take the intention as well as attention in to consideration.

1. Routine;  This means there is a routine every time you meditate. 

2. When to meditate.  Not just time of day, but meditate when you are relaxed not stressed.  ANCHORING. 

3. Starting a mediation- Intention and attention.  Or insight?

4. Meditate with others, why it is important. 

5. Dealing with distractions.

6. Begin

(Seven habits of highly effective people)  

1. be proactive- make meditation a part of your daily life.  Here is how...

2. begin with the end in mind- What is the intention of this meditation?

3. put first things first.  If there are distractions like laundry, do that first. as a meditation

4. Mutual benefit, think win win... (Metta>?)

5. Seek to understand, then understood. Listen, one mouth two ears?

6. Synergize.  Focus on strengths? on what was good about the meditation. 

7. Sharpen the saw.  Add in activities.  Teach others.