Meditation is a powerful tool. However, not everyone finds it relaxing or easy to close their eyes during meditation. For some, the darkness can feel overwhelming, making it difficult to relax and focus. Fortunately, there are other options for those who prefer to meditate with their eyes open.
Here are five ways to meditate without your eyes closed
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Fix your gaze on a point
Find a point or object to focus your gaze on. It could be anything that catches your eye, like a flower, a tree, or even a pencil. If you find a calming color or texture, focus on that. -
Look down
Keeping your head and gaze down can help you to feel less distracted and give you the space to keep your eyes open. -
Half open, half closed
If you're not comfortable with keeping your eyes completely open, try meditating with them half open, half closed. You can close your eyes when you feel safe and comfortable, maybe at the end when you're more relaxed, or even at the start when you feel most prepared to "get into it." -
Let your eyes wander
It's okay to let your eyes take the world in. You can even go for a slow walk and observe everything closely. Pay attention to your surroundings, but try not to let your mind get too distracted. -
Face a blank wall or darken the room
If you're easily distracted but can't keep your eyes closed (or end up falling asleep), facing a blank wall or darkening the room may be a great alternative for you.
Most commonly, people meditate with their eyes closed because meditation is about focusing internally, going inward. However, it's essential to know that both options are okay as long as it works for you! Don't ever let the rigidity of eyes closed or open deter you from trying meditation or introducing it to your tiny humans. The most important thing is finding what feels most comfortable and effective for you and your kids.
Meditation is a powerful tool that can benefit everyone, regardless of whether you prefer to meditate with your eyes open or closed. So don't be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you!
If you're looking for ways to explore the practice further through play, Metta Play's bilingual yoga cards are made for kids. Available here or you can download them instantly here!