Concerned said:
Sure can. Visualizing is easier for me with my eyes open as well. And if you don't like it, don't do it. Your craft should not be a chore. It's something to ground you, guide you, invoke your will. If it isn't benefiting you, than it isn't your craft. People hurt you enough, don't hurt yourself trying to fit into their boxes. The point of research is to find what works for you, or spark some sort of inspiration where you take elements from someone else, and make it your own thing. This is supposed to be fun and rewarding. The gods aren't having a bad-time.
There are some things which are necessary to learn, even if one doesn't like them, in order to advance and grow as an SS. f visualization feels like a chore to someone, it doesn't mean one can just skip this because it doesn't feel good. It means one must learn to do this better and in ways that work for them without this feeling like a chore.
Visualization is a key skill in spiritual advancement, and is absolutely necessary to learn. One can indeed do this both with eyes open or with eyes closed, there is no issue with either of these, however, one cannot say that visualization can be skipped, or that one can skip things just because they don't feel comfortable.
The Gods aren't having a bad time, this much is true, however this does not mean they are having an easy time. Nothing is ever easy, and the higher you go the more difficult all things do become. However, because they are Gods, they can handle the difficult things while still having an enjoyable existence, and they can handle the difficulties and the discomforts of their responsibilities while living a rewarding existence.
What you say here is akin to escapism. Reality is not only about escaping hardships or difficulties, it is about conquering them, surpassing them and mastering them, to then move on to greater challenges and obstacles to solve and surpass.
Life is an eternal struggle. One never stops struggling. One masters the struggle and beats all challenges to rise eternally higher. That is in simple terms the way to the Godhead and beyond.