Eye strain

Discussion of meditation in the Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.
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Greg_the_poet
Posts: 50
Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2011 4:06 pm

Eye strain

Post by Greg_the_poet »

I practice in the Soto tradition, facing the wall while meditating. I'm always told to not focus too much on the wall, but it seems to be second nature. I start staring hard then get real eye strain at the end. I don't know if there's any exercising a person can do with the eyes to make them more relaxed before meditation? If it gets too much I'll often close my eyes for a while, then likely fall asleep.
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mandala
Posts: 171
Joined: Sun Mar 24, 2013 7:51 pm

Re: Eye strain

Post by mandala »

Have you tried averting your gaze slightly downwards (along your nose, if that makes sense)?
I find in that position it's easier to soften the gaze and become a bit unfocused and your eyelids naturally close a little. Consciously relaxing your forehead/brow may help a bit too...
joy&peace
Posts: 1115
Joined: Mon May 11, 2015 4:53 pm

Re: Eye strain

Post by joy&peace »

The eye muscles contract to see close up, and they relax to see far away, so it has always seemed to me

what it is that is , that i wish to say , is gaze far away , to relax one part is very well for all parts ;

it is very nice, a very lovely practice.

:) :meditate:
Om Gate Gate Paragate Parasamgate bodhi svaha
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