sleep, dark, close eyes
瞑 centers on the state of closed eyes, whether in sleep or in darkness. The idea of darkness is a natural extension of shutting out light by closing the eyes.
瞑 combines 目 (eye) with 冥 (dark, obscure), suggesting eyes that are closed or in darkness. The component 冥 likely contributes both sound and the idea of dimness.
The eye 目 is beside 冥, a shape associated with darkness. Picture your eyes closing and everything going dark as you fall asleep.
For メイ, imagine closing your eyes on a bright May day to take a nap: May -> メイ, and the darkness behind your eyelids helps you sleep.
meditation; contemplation
to close (one's eyes); to shut
being so content that one would not mind dying; one can now rest in peace; one ought to be contented with what has been accomplished
dizziness
to close one's eyes; to sleep
to close one's eyes; to sleep
meditator; meditation practitioner
meditation method; contemplation technique
life of meditation; contemplative life
gloomy feeling; dark sign
closing one's eyes
closing one's eyes and joining one's hands together in prayer
dizziness
evening twilight