Eyes: Opened Or Closed ? Options

For the past week or so, when i do my ritual work, I've been experimenting with having my eyes open or closed during the ritual(s); and for certain parts of the ritual(s) my visualizations are more vivid when open/closed...Is there a certain doctrine that states whether or not to have your eyes open/closed? and if not, what's you're personal preference(if you don't mind sharing that is)? I suppose this is more of an opinion/poll question...but if there is doctrine stating such, please share (IMG:style_emoticons/default/book.gif)

There is actually a difference. I was alway taught eyes open. I was also told by Geleck Rimpoche that in the Buddhist tradition eyes open, the exception is Zen.

Now days most new age meditation is eyes closes to reduce the distraction... while this certainly works it also closes off the intellectual center (which is why it works). I also would like to say I am not a Buddhist however I have many Buddhist friends and I have received a few empowerments (which are very powerful), none of my teachers were Buddhist but I have been taught here and there by Lamas, including HHDL all were eyes open.

It is a bit more difficult but if you do you exercises with flute music and incense all the time it will be more difficult when none of that is around. Having said that some of my teachers did use incense and music but not all the time and one actually took us out into public and once in the middle of a 3 lane Wy. (US 19) to prove his point.

Anyway I would continue with eyes open unless directed by a Zen Master to do otherwise... He/she my beat you if you don't.

What does help is keeping the eyes in the correct position. That is down the angle of your nose, assuming your posture is good. in a sitting position it is about 3 feet out, standing double that or more. Find a spot on the floor or put a penny or just a piece of dust on the point to remind you. Take practice and I get lazy and close my eyes at times, but I always try to remember myself and keep them open.

Hope that helps,
Krell

When I visualize the circle, my aura, charge anything and raise energy I have to have my eyes open at some point. When I invoke an element I have my eyes close to visualize the corresponding environment. Sometimes when I meditate I have my eyes closed or I focus in on something (ex: flame). (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blablabla.gif)

not cm of course, but i do eyes open too, looking for nuances/insights that i would miss with eyes closed - there could be a totally huge radiating multi-colored face pulsating quietly in front of you that you would miss with eyes closed - however, eyes closed is like wearing full body armor during a roll in the hay,- less awareness but intensifies what you do get - blushing now, but the best way i can think of to describe the difference!

Generally it depends on what is most practical and what works best. If you are standing up doing a ritual or meditation, then you won't have a good sense of balance if you keep your eyes closed. At times you might be moving around lighting candles or doing gestures. But keeping them open can possibly be a distraction . Generally, I keep my eyes about 2/3 shut and unfocused.

Half closed, unfocused.

Like to practice in complete darkness if possible, do like my night time rituals... perhaps because everything is so quiet at night more so than any need for darkness, no steady electical hum at night but in general it feels as though I can give shape to darkness, craft my own world from it kind of thing.

Open, closed and unfocused . . . depending the work and the mood.

It certainly helps to be practiced at all three. Usually if my work is astral (specifically) I tend to at-least end up with my eyes closed. I don't know if I could go through projection itself with them open.
Certain ritual work seems much more effective if I can bring an eyes-open strong visualization to bear. (plus.... its hard to get around with them closed)
I haven't noticed consecrations or that kind of talismantic work varying terribly either way . . .
Quiet a bit of my sigil and patitional work is often eyes open (tratakam) . . . also when raising or stripping energy for use, such as during neither-niether types of exercises, or dance (seide'ish)

I nearly always meditate with eyes close.

Most of my pagan rituals and workings are eyes open when its active and closed when more passive.

For me, I have my eyes half closed. It is what works best for me. There are times when I need them open, and will do so. That's only if I plan on moving around, or am standing for a long period of time. Other than that though, I prefer them being half closed.