G'day,

Sleep masks are great for meditation, and for sleep.

for meditation, they give a sense of privacy and personal space, as well as blocking out distracting light to allow for deeper and more peaceful minds eye experience.

Total darkness is best for sleep. This promotes the best changes and melatonin levels, etc.

Sleep masks for meditation are great, but you can become dependent on them, as you mentioned about earplugs.

This is up to the user to decide. Use them when you need them, or when they enhance your experience.

I occasionally use a sleep mask, and also occasionally use noise cancellation headphones, and play anything from hemi sync surf to rain and forest noises. But mostly I just close my eyes and ignore the world of sound and light.

robert