Gwyneth Paltrow has a reputation for odd wellness habits, but her latest advice could be very useful.
In a world where the actor shared her support for vagina steaming (which you should not do), her lifestyle brand Goop frequently makes headlines for its unconventional products and practices, like her vagina candle.
The 51-year-old Oscar winner discusses the benefits of open-eye meditation. She collaborated with Kim Little, a Buddhist and software developer, to create Moments of Space, a new meditation app.
The Sliding Doors actress highlighted some of the benefits of this type of mindfulness. ‘Once you learn how to do eyes-open meditation – something you can literally incorporate at any time – you can be engaged with the world but still very connected to yourself,’ the mum-of-two said in a press release for the app.
‘I rely on it to feel more whole.’
When we think of meditation, we often envision people sitting on a yoga mat with their eyes closed, but Gwyneth is not only correct; this method is based on ancient practices.
Can you meditate with your eyes open?
Dr Rohan Nagar is a wellness coach and medical doctor based in London. He is from Gujarat, India, and has worked in both England and India as an ayurvedic practitioner. He also has clinics in London, the US and Brazil.
Ayurveda is an holistic Indian practice that is thousands of years old. The name translates from Sanskrit to English as ‘the knowledge of life’ and is said to inform how the body and mind work in relation to different elements.
Open-eyed meditation is known as Trataka (Sanskrit for ‘to look’ or ‘to gaze’) and it is said to have heaps of benefits. Trataka is also part of Dr Rohan’s field. ‘Trataka is a meditation technique which involves focusing the eyes – and, in turn, the mind – through intent but relaxed gazing,’ Dr Rohan told Metro.co.uk.
‘Initially, this practice is done with open eyes on an external object. It then progresses to internal practice with eyes closed and to gazing at the void.’
How to meditate with your eyes open
Trataka comes in a variety of forms, the most popular of which is candle gazing. This is due to people’s natural fascination with flames.
But you don’t need to have a lit candle with you to follow this wellness practice. In fact, you don’t have to sit in the classic lotus position to take part. ‘In all forms of Trataka, you can integrate breath awareness or the repetition of a mantra you find helpful, although it’s not commonly taught this way,’ Dr Rohan explained.
It can be difficult to find time for ourselves in the midst of hectic work schedules, long commutes, and other life responsibilities. Finding a place to sit with our eyes closed can be stressful, but Trataka can be done almost anywhere, even on public transportation. To begin, focus on an object.
‘The object can be almost anything, though the most popular choices are a candle flame, a black dot in a white wall, or an image with particular significance for you,’ said Dr Rohan.
‘Other objects used are your image in a mirror, a transparent glass, a needle, a current of water, the moon in the sky, or the first minutes of the rising sun.’
You should look at an object without concentrating too much because the key is to keep your gaze soft. Gaze for one to three minutes before closing your eyes and focusing on the ‘afterimage’ of that object in your mind.
Dr Rohan advised against practising for more than 10 minutes at a time, especially if you are staring at a candle.
‘Don’t strain your eyes. If you feel discomfort, then blink the eyes and continue the practice,’ he said. ‘But don’t move the pupils.’
What are the benefits of meditating with your eyes open?
Trataka meditation can improve concentration, memory, and willpower, as well as balance activity between the two hemispheres of the brain, in addition to the well-known benefits of meditation such as reducing stress and anxiety, increasing focus, combating insomnia, and preventing cardiovascular disease.
Claudia Dumond, a holistic health coach and founder of the well-being service Minimondo is also a fan of the practice.
‘This can be a refreshing and versatile practice, opening a world of possibilities,’ she told Metro.co.uk. ‘The key is to maintain a relaxed yet focused awareness, gently returning to your breath if your mind wanders.
‘Whether you meditate with your eyes closed or open is a personal choice and depends on what works best for you. Closed-eye meditation is more traditional and can be helpful for internal focus and deep relaxation.
‘On the other hand, open-eye meditation can be great for cultivating awareness and staying connected to your environment.’
