I've read that to meditate you must have your eyes half open, but I find that extremely uncomfortable and distracting. I find it much more soothing and easier when I have my eyes shut while I meditate. So my question is that if I keep my eyes shut will it prevent me form achieving the full benefits of meditation?

Hmm i hadn't heard that about the eyes half open, Moe it seems you are most comfortable with your eyes closed and thats how you should meditate , yes i would say you will reap the full benefits...You can meditate alot of ways the most important way is the way that works best for you..good luck and welcome to UM....

Alright, thanks for your help!

I would think personal meditation would be helped by putting yourself in the most comfortable and least distracting state you can. I, personally, can not stand to have my eyes closed. Trying to sit calmly with my eyes closed would be exceedingly counterproductive to meditation.

It is best to follow what is prescribed by your teacher or technique. It takes a big ego to think that one is "all that" already, without any proper guidance from a master. Nobody is "all that."

Ah "wall-staring." Generally the technique is described as keeping your eyes half open and focused on a fixed point on a blank wall. Bodhidharma is said to have performed this technique for nine years. It is also said his arms and legs fell off in the process...




Including "masters." Following a technique or method simply because it is what is perscibed by someone who either claims to be a "master," or because you percieve this instructor to be a "master" is what creates dogmatic thinking. It is much more important to follow your own knowledge and experience in regards to proper practice.

Well, that was brilliantly answered. No need to add to it.

Well said, but you have to view the question in context. The person asking the question is a novice. Surely, one has to start somewhere. It would take quite sometime for one to form one's views, especially about the concept of "dogmatic thinking." One simply doesn't just move from point A to point B, don't you find? A pilgrim must go through the trial and error process, suffering, heartaches, the triumps, the "good" and "bad" things which await us all. This process is inevitable, whether you are in a formal setting or not. Meditation is simply not just about sitting down -- it is life, itself! The force which moves this universe will take the person on an ULTIMATE journey, no doubt about that, especially if that person asked for it. This is never a game, but if it is, then it is the game of life (no ifs, nor buts, and no refunds). Everything is part of the growth process, including getting over one's disappointments over one's "masters," including spiritual (holy) books, including one's original religion, including one's physical tensions (not just psychic) -- the constraints are practically endless.

I find that meditating with a master breaks down my ego quicker than doing it by myself. For one thing, I have to deal with everyone's ego in the room, not just mine. And this is just on the emotional level. Frankly, a true "master" is simply a great student, nothing more, nothing less. He or she is one's mirror. But the student has to rise to the occasion, to be on the master's level on a daily basis. Unfortunately, that takes training. I have never met one who has a tremendous will to meditate by himself or herself from day one. True, one could meditate by one's self, but only after the fact. Again, one has to start somewhere.

Everyone is bound to this world's polishing process. No one is exempt, no one.

"But this is what you wanted..." -- Julia Cotton

IMO! Do what feels comfortable to you.. there is no "right" way to meditate *IMO*, for the most part mediation is for relaxing the body and the mind, if you can't relax with your eyes half way open then how are you meditating at all *I don't know what your practices or reasons are for meditating* but when I meditate it's to quite my consciousness especially if it's been a longgg... and stressfull day to bring myself inner peace and calm, and usually a mental cleansing on the days events. I've never had any help from a "master of meditation" to achieve an inner calm. If you need help with quieting your ego consciousness then I guess you would need help from a master.

Yeah, I started out with half-closed eyes too, because that was the "correct" method. In my opinion it is just a way for the head monk to verify you haven't nodded off. I gave up on it pretty quickly, didn't seem to be a problem at all.

Exactly. On the other hand, a "good" master is merely a vessel, a conduit of the energy. In the end, it is the Universe's task to help. But, one thing leads to another, just like being on this forum. And we were all novice once, at one point in time in this particular lifetime. Whether we read the meditation technique in a book, seen it on film, friend's guidance, and so on, the outcome is just the same -- the mind was infected once. Why should one assume that a "master" is so advance that he or she has become some kind of icon, etc.?

Surely, we've learned putting a label on ourselves, such as witch, Christian, Hindu, Satanist, and so on, from someone else, don't you think? Who wrote those books in the first place? Who defined those spiritual concepts we hear today? There's a great scene in The Devil Wears Prada (movie) about ignorance -- watch and learn. At any rate, a "good" master is another story, however, and he or she is usually hard to come by in our power-hungry world.

I would like to point out within this thread, that you were the first to bring up the term "master."



I'd really like to know what your religion or practices are.

Okay first, no one said a "master" was an Icon, except for you. Everything has already been put into some form of words for anyone to know anything. That is how people come to *know* things, and no one ever said "Oh! I never read anything about meditation I just do it!!" on top of that, if a "master" isn't "advanced" in whatever he is a "master" of then why exactly is he being called a "master" to begin with ?? Okay. Personally, when I meditate all my troubles (or whatever else) go to the universe. No "technique" is inscribed in stone and therefor, IMO; can be changed in any form or fashion as so desired by the one who is using the "technique." A technique is a guideline IMO. I think for the most part that MOST knowledge has been in fact written at one time or, we would all still running around eating poisonous berries to find out which ones were edible and which ones would kill us. Although I do not label myself a witch, I *Pro-claim* I am a witch and I am proud of it, because it takes a lot more to be a witch than just waving a little wand around yelling out "ABRACADABRA" and pointing it at something waiting for something to happen. : rolleyes: But if you don't mind, please from here on out don't include witches within an example consisting of other religions to make a point because not all witches use it for a religion. Thank you very much, I'd appreciate it. I personally don't care for meryl streep, so I didn't watch "the devil wears prada" so you can keep watching it for yourself and learn from it yourself. Although, there are far better examples of ignorance all around with in reality. At any rate.. if someone is a master at whatever it is they do, I would think that they are already "good" enough... however; I certainly wouldn't hold it against any "master" (of whatever they would be considered a master in.) on not wanting to teach certain people. When it comes down "finding a good master" I don't believe it would be the master who would be hard to come by, but the right student, one who would not use whatever they were "trained" for to use it for their own personal "power-hungry" needs. A master who teaches a student anything.. usually will pass their views on to that student.. so there is dogma involved, but since the student was looking for a master, I wouldn't think the dogma would hurt anything at all.

I still stand by what I mentioned... Do what is conformable, FOR YOU Moe. Meditation is about relaxation and calming the mind.

Why, is there a problem with the word "master"? Or should I say, "Do you have a problem with that, for me introducing that word?" Like yourself and rev r, I, too, have my own preconceived notion of what makes a master; however, I do not have a problem with that word, that concept. I do not see it as a bad term, nor is it a word to elevated someone that he or she has become out of reach, or better than everybody else. It just it. It is merely an appointed role. If fact, I did mention that a "true 'master' is simply a great student, nothing more, nothing less." If you have an issue with that word, then that's your thing, not mine. Perhaps, you assume that my definition should be the same as yours...; regardless, it is definitely not like yours, especially by the attitude you project. Ah, perhaps I hit a nerve, a baggage...

Whether you watch the film I mentioned or not, it is beyond me -- I really don't care what you do. Then again, you are not the only one in this forum, correct? Not everything is about you, unfortunately.Not everyone is so advance as you that he or she doesn't need any guidance or suggestions. Did it ever occur to you that the film might serve someone else? Whether you like Meryl or not, she is brilliant. You can proclaim anything you want, but your negative comment only shows your toxic side -- you are above that.

Really... DLV... I truely believe you need to go back and re-read my post until you have made sense out of it. I also fail how my comment on meryl streep and "the devil wears prada" shows a toxic side as you put it.. and I believe you should practice what you preach about " not everyone shares your views." edit: *I do proclaim witch.. to me it isnt a label dear.*
I believe this conversation is over as it will be pointless to post anything more on for you to twist around.
Although, I do believe a master is someone who knows enough at one subject to be able to teach anyone that master chooses to teach.. It's not the seeking students problem if he keeps being rejected by any master or any sort.. it simply goes to show that the student hasn't found a master who thinks that the student is worthy enough to teach and pass the masters knowledge and wisdom down to. I'm standing by that.

meditating takes practice and finding out what is most comfortable and effective for you. everyone is different for sure. something i have suggested to others that has really helped them immensely is while meditating concentrate on your "happy place". sounds strange but if you imagine yourself in a place that you are most comfortable and at ease in this relaxes you enough to clear your mind. "happy place" could be in a forest with the sounds of nature around you or the beach with the sound of the waves or atop a mountain, etc etc. think of where would put you most at peace. keep us updated on your progress. good luck.
peace

Welcome to UM.

Thank you all for your opinions, I really appreciate it I have been meditating for about a week now, and I feel like it is really working. The way I meditate is by sitting down on a pillow and leaning against my bedroom wall. With my eyes closes, I focus on inhaling through my nostrils and exhaling through my nostrils in a continuous cycle up to ten, and then I start over. When I get distracted, i just let my thoughts pass, like watching a cloud pass in the sky, and focus my attention back to my breathing. I meditate in the morning for 15 minutes and 15 minutes before I go to sleep.

rev r 'zen'd parlé comme un bravo principal (spoken like a master bravo...)
un maître fait un maître de tous les autres….

nah, this one is just a fool. A fool that can use Babelfish, but a fool nonetheless.

Hi Moe, welcome to UM. It may be important to define your meditation goals, whether you want to reach nirvana, open your third eye or just chill. As has been stated, there are many forms of meditation. I personally use a mantra, but I think that the technique that you're doing is just fine also. My one bit of advice though is that once you've found the technique that you like and you think that it is the right one to achieve your meditation goals (whatever they may be), to stick to just that one meditation technique and not to keeping changing techniques. Of course, sticking with the technique is needed to fully realize the benefits. I think meditation to calm the mind is a wonderful thing as it tends to help a person destress and bring a little peace into their life. May your meditation bring you peace and add richness to your life.

Meditation Can be done in any number of ways.

The most important thing is to be comfortable with yourself. Listen to people with more experience but in the end do it how you feel is best.

When first I learnt to meditate it took very carefully controlled environments. It had to be silent, Prefferably dark...

Over time I have done away with this. I often meditate on the train to Uni or while walking through the mall even.

Eventually if you stick to it you will find the benifits of meditation are inumerable. It can calm me when I am in the foulest of moods. Can wash away the greatest of my sorrows.