Eyes Open or Closed
Different traditions give different answers. Closing your eyes may
contribute to drowsiness and sleepiness -- if that's the case for you
then try opening them a little. If keeping your eyes open is
distracting, try closing your eyes or direct your gaze on a blank wall
(Zen-style). Or try with the eyes open halfway or a bit more, the gaze
unfocused and directed downward, but keeping the head erect with
the chin slightly tucked in. Sometimes meditators experience
headaches from focusing on a spot too close to the eyes (perhaps
closer than three feet). Whether focused or unfocused, the gaze
should be relaxed in order to prevent eyestrain or headache.
Experiment and see what works for you and then stick with your
choice of technique. If you are using a candle, flower, or other visual
object in your meditation then here the technique itself requires
your eyes to be at least partly open.