I just read the article on "when mindfulness goes wrong." What is wrong here is that mindfulness practice and meditation practice were mixed together. That's wrong. I explain the difference in my long reply in this thread.

If someone has the experience of not being able to catch their breath, or of not being able to breathe...it is due to faulty instruction. This should never happen! If someone is properly coached this would never happen. It points not towards the participant...but towards the class and the instruction being taught incorrectly.

The way I teach meditation one never closes the eyes. This promotes dissociation. Meditation should be practiced with a lowered-lidded soft gaze but with eyes still opened. Makes sense, right? We aren't trying to "trip out" into a dreamy state of consciousness after all.

I don't close my eyes in any meditation or mindfulness practice. Ever.