March 15th 2024.
Gwyneth Paltrow, the well-known actress and founder of Goop, has recently launched a new app called Moments of Space. While she has gained a reputation for her unconventional wellness habits, her latest tip is actually quite useful. In a world where she has openly supported practices like vagina steaming and gained attention for products like her infamous vagina candle, Gwyneth is now sharing the benefits of meditating with your eyes open through her new app.
At the age of 51, the Oscar winner is collaborating with Kim Little, a Buddhist and software developer, to bring this unique form of mindfulness to the world. Gwyneth explains, "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. I rely on it to feel more whole." This is a refreshing perspective on meditation, as we often think of it as something done with closed eyes on a yoga mat. But Gwyneth is challenging us to rethink this traditional approach and showing us that this method is actually rooted in ancient practices.
Dr. Rohan Nagar, a wellness coach and medical doctor from India, explains that meditating with your eyes open is a part of Ayurveda, an ancient Indian practice that focuses on the connection between the body and mind. This practice, known as Trataka, involves focusing the eyes and mind through relaxed gazing. Dr. Rohan says, "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."
There are various forms of Trataka, with candle gazing being the most popular. However, you don't need a lit candle or to sit in a specific position to practice this form of meditation. According to Dr. Rohan, you can integrate breath awareness or the repetition of a mantra while gazing at any object of your choice. This makes it a convenient practice that can be done almost anywhere, even during a busy commute.
The key to Trataka is to keep your gaze soft and not strain your eyes. Dr. Rohan advises against practicing for more than 10 minutes at a time, especially when gazing at a candle. He says, "Don't strain your eyes. If you feel discomfort, then blink the eyes and continue the practice. But don't move the pupils."
Apart from the well-known benefits of meditation, Trataka is said to improve concentration, memory, willpower, and calm an anxious mind. Claudia Dumond, a holistic health coach, also praises this practice, saying, "This can be a refreshing and versatile practice, opening a world of possibilities. The key is to maintain a relaxed yet focused awareness, gently returning to your breath if your mind wanders."
Whether you choose to meditate with your eyes closed or open is a personal choice, and both have their own benefits. Closed-eye meditation is more traditional and helps with internal focus and deep relaxation, while open-eye meditation helps cultivate awareness and stay connected to the environment. So, if you're looking for a new way to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life, give Trataka a try. Who knows, it may just become your go-to meditation practice.
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