Ol argedco luciftias said:
Jack said:
Most of the meditations except certain kinds of void meditation are to be done with your eyes closed so that your mind uses all of its processing power in the meditation rather than wasting it on visual senses and related actions accompanying it.
Or with your eyes open, but ignoring what is seen. Like the Void. Eyes are open, but not focused on anything and the mind ignores it and doesn't care what is there. Not looking at anything or focused. Then just focus on the feelings you get in your body, the energy rivers moving when you breathe, and you can still visualize seeing in frony of you whatever you need to. I don't think it makes much difference between if the eyes are open or closed. But having to pull your eye lid muscles closed to keep your eyes closed could even be an extra strain or effort that you don't need. I think having the eyes open like this might even be better. Feels like the right side brain stays more active like this, when if your eyes are closed your mind might want to sleep.
That's only a particular form of void meditation I.e outer trataka. Without closing the eyes, you won't be able to see the colours, the ripples, the diagrams, the visions that come from deep meditation I.e true meditation. All void meditation is simply preparing your mind to concentrate while in deep trance where real (Dhyana) takes place. And no closing your eyes does not strain but relaxed the muscles. If you do it very quickly you might feel getting strained but doing breathing exercises will help you calm down. Mantra, tantra(energy expansion and directing) and most other thing are to be done with eyes closed. Except for certain void meditation meditation practices which are initial stages of yoga before you proceed to higher stages which forces you to look within. Visualization is not as strong when the eyes are open. There's a noticeable difference.