Hypnagogic Imagery Question

[IchimaruTaichou]

i was wondering if your eyes had to be closed to experience HI, because when you open you eyes and your room is pitch black, whats the diff between having your eyes closed? do you eyelids assist HI or something?

[Ladusence]

As far as I know HI can happen with your eyes open or closed, the thing is that it is important not to move(not to focus on your physical body) in order to get to the HI stage, when you have your eyes open you will have to blink, and this could distract you into feeling your physical eyelids. This is just my theory though don't take it as facts.

[Tornado Joe]

I'm not aware of being able to experience HI with your eyes open, though I can't see any reason why you wouldn't since people do experience hallucinations while awake. However, don't forget that going through the threshold between being awake and sleep can be a pretty confusing time. You may think that your eyes are open and that you are experiencing your bedroom, but in fact, you'd be already in the dream state. If you've experienced a WILD, you would know what I mean.

[Ctharlhie]

My friend experienced a WILD while sat up in bed meditating with his eyes open. So yeah.