Ординатура / Офтальмология / Английские материалы / Relearning To See_Quackenbush_2000

From Better Eyesight magazine, July 1920:

Not only is keen sight a great convenience, but it reflects a condition of mind which reacts favorably upon all the other senses, upon the general health and upon the mental faculties

Better Eyesight magazine, December 1925:

Not only does the sight become imperfect [due to strain], but also the memory, imagination, judgment, and other mental faculties are temporarily lost

Better Eyesight magazine, December 1925, from a testimonial submitted by ophthalmologist Dr. E. F. Darling:

I feel more and more strongly that a person will not have full control of his mental faculties until he gets rid of his glasses.1

Aldous Huxley's The Art of Seeing:

The eye and nervous system do the sensing, the mind does the perceiving ... It is a highly significant fact that, in Dr. Bates' method for re-educating sufferers from

defective vision, these mental elements in the total process are not neglected. On the contrary, many of his most valuable techniques are directed specifically to the improvement of perception 2

George Vithoulkas, in The Science of Homeopathy, discusses the mental, emotional, and physical levels of our being. He writes:

These levels are not in reality separate and distinct, but rather there is a complete interaction between them.3

... The highest and most important level through which the human being functions is the mental and spiritual level.4

Bates proved that mental strain can create blur. Modern right-brain/left-brain concepts provide an interesting and valuable perspective on Bates' discoveries regarding normal sight, errors of refraction, and natural vision re-education.

The reader will find exceptions to some of the general discussion presented below because the model of brain characteristics presented here is simplified. Right-brain/ left-brain concepts are very complex. For example, some people do not have right-brain

characteristics located in their right brain— they are located in the left brain.

R I G H T T O T H E B A S I C S

See Figure 19-1: Left and Right Brains. We have two brains—a right brain and a left brain. Each specializes in particular functions.

See Figure 19-2: Corpus Callosum. The two brains are connected in the middle by a bundle of nerves called the corpus callosum (from Latin, meaning "callous body").

B R A I N CHARACTERISTICS

In the 1950s and 1960s, research was carried out by Roger W. Sperry and his associates at the California Institute of Technology. They determined that the right and left brains engage in different modes of processing information.

The modern right-brain/left-brain model is only our young society's re-discovery of the ancient principles of the duality of nature, called yin/yang. These principles have been used by Western hoUstic practitioners to help

re-establish a balance in the health of their clients.

See Plate 58: Infinitely Right and Left and Figure 19-3: Brain Characteristics.

H o w TH E B R A I N S PROCESS

THE P I C T U R E S W E SEE

See Figure 19-4: Left Sides to the Right

Brain/Right Sides to the Left Brain.

The entire picture from each eye (LVF + RVF + LVF" + RVF") travels along the optic nerves to the optic chiasm. At this junction, the messages from the left visual fields (light areas; LVF' + LVF") of each eye are sent to the right brain, while the messages from the right visual fields (dark areas; RVF' + RVF") of each eye are sent to the left brain.

See Figure 19-5: "Vision."

When the eyes look to the left, we tend to emphasize the characteristics of the right brain. When the eyes look to the right, we tend to emphasize the characteristics of the left brain.

One practical consequence of these facts

is the importance of "shifting" our attention to the right and to the left with a head movement. Crossing the midline of the body helps integrate the two brains, and is one reason the Long Swing and Infinity Swing (described in Chapter 9, "The First Principle—Move- ment") and the "Cross-Crawl" (described below) are so beneficial.

A VERY L E F T - B R A I N O R I E N T E D

SOCIETY

The characteristics listed in Figure 19-3: Brain Characteristics indicate we live in a highly left-brain oriented society. Most people in our society are paid for, supported by, and praised for excelling in left-brain activities, especially reading, writing, and math. (Of course, the characteristics of the two brains overlap in many areas. Writing can be used to create poetry, while most music contains structure.)

Cherie Carter-Scott, in Negaholics: How to

Overcome Negativity and Turn Your Life

Around, writes:

Transportation, communication, and technology have turned the modern world upside down. Rapid pace, pressure, and ambiguity have changed our lives from being steady, consistent, and stationary to being fraught with confusion, disillusionment, and disconnection We are living

in a turbulent, chaotic, and perplexing era. Never before in the history of mankind have there been so many options, with so few tools with which to cope.5

Natural vision is primarily a right-brain function and is based on relaxation. The epidemic of blurred vision in this society is only one of the many serious consequences of switching off, or "dimming," our right-brain characteristics. Our vision problems reflect an unbalanced way of living. As stated in the

Introduction, blurred vision is a message from the mind and body that a person's visual system is out of balance with nature. Bates dis- covered how to bring the visual system back into balance, with relaxation of the mind being the most important key.

E I G H T Y PERCENT R I G H T - H A N D E D — A C L U E TO AN I M B A L A N C E D SOCIETY

Research shows that 50% of animals are right-pawed (left-brain) dominant, and 50% are left-pawed (right-brain) dominant. These animals include chimpanzees and gorillas, whose anatomy is closely related to that of humans.

Paul Dennison and Gail Hargrove, in their book Personalized Whole Brain Integration, state their research proves that there are 50% right-brain-dominant individuals and 50% left-bram-dominant individuals in our society.6

It seems as if nature intends each species to have a perfect balance of right-brain (leftpawed) dominant individuals and left-brain (right-pawed) dominant individuals.

If 50% of our population is supposed to be right-handed and 50% left-handed, why are approximately 80% of the people in the US right-handed? Some experts say that many naturally left-handed/right-brain-dominant individuals have switched to using their right hand as their dominant hand—unnaturally. Why?

Many left-handed children in this society are forced to favor their right hand. Some have had their left hand tied behind their back until they learn to use their right hand. Some are punished for not using their right hand. Many tools are designed to be used with the right hand only. Left-handed individuals using tools designed for right-handers

Figure 19-4: Left Sides to the Right Brain/

Right Sides to the Left Brain.

Figure 19-5: "Vision."

Reprinted from Personalized Whole Brain Integration, by Paul E. Dennison, PhD., and Gail E. Hargrove, 1985, Edu-Kinesthetics, Inc.,

Ventura, CA. Used with permission of the artist, Gail E. Hargrove.

may partially explain why almost twice as many left-handers as right-handers need med­ ical attention for accidents.

If a right-brain-dominant individual is sup­ posed to be left-hand-dominant, what adverse effects does the unnatural switching to favor­ ing the right hand have on the mental func­ tions of this individual?

Many conclusions about behavior drawn from research data are presented as normal because a specific behavior is found in the majority of a population. Case in point: some researchers have erroneously concluded that lefl-handedness is an aberration of nature be-

cause the majority of Americans are righthanded.

Are conclusions based on an unbalanced sample population valid? Erroneous conclu­ sions drawn from studying unhealthy people seem to create, support, and even promote a more imbalanced population. This is espe­ cially the case in regards to eyesight in exces­ sively left-brain oriented societies. One of the major reasons people believe they need to wear corrective lenses is because so many people wear them.

BIAS FAVORING R I G H T - H A N D E D

(LEFT-BRAIN DOMINANT) INDIVIDUALS

•Dictionaries define "right" as just, good, and proper (conduct), genuine, real; conforming to facts or standards.

•The Latin word for right is rectus, meaning straight.

t Dexterity comes from the Greek word dexios, meaning toward the right, or a good omen.

•You are right!

•I have my rights.

•You will see it right before your very eyes.

•You are an upright and righteous person.

•Be sure your socks are right side out.

•Would you like to meet right now, or right after lunch?

•We need to right the injustices done.

•Mr. Dexter is my right-hand man.

•The car on the right has the right-of- way.

•According to the Bible, Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

BIAS AGAINST ( R I G H T - B R A I N

DOMINANT) " L E F T I E S "

1. Dictionaries define "left-handed" as clumsy, awkward, insincere, backhanded, dubious, and ironical.

2.The word "left" in;

•Old English means weak or worthless;

•Latin is sinister, meaning covert;

•French is gauche, meaning crude, awkward, clumsy, or lacking in social grace;

•German is linkisch, meaning unhandy;

Chapter Nineteen: Brains and Vision

•Italian is mancion, meaning dishonest;

•Spanish is zurdas, meaning wrong way.

3.Tomorrow night we will have leftovers.

4.Hurry up, or you will be left out, southpaw.

5.Your views are way out in left field.

6.In the early 1980s, US Postal Service employees were forbidden to sort mail with their left hand.

7.Placing the wedding ring on the left hand comes from the morganic tradition in which European royalty gives the left hand in marriage to a person of inferior rank. Neither the lesser ranked spouse, nor their children, obtain estate or title rights after marriage.

8.In a left-brain society, it is said to be "efficient" for products to be made the same. Scissors, children's school desks, etc., are manufactured mainly for the right-handed people. Efficiency is a left-brain characteristic. Left-handed people are expected to "adapt" to a right-handed society.

Famous lefties include the creative geniuses Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci, Mchaelangelo, and the world figures Alexander the Great, Charlemagne, and Napoleon. Creativity is a right-brain characteristic.

Too M U C H L E F T - B R A I N

E M P H A S I S = D I S T R E S S

Are the above biases against "lefties" and for "righties" just a coincidence, or do they reflect a society that is extremely left-brain oriented?

One might conclude that left-brain dominant people who live in a very left-brain dom-

inant society would be happy and healthy. This is not necessarily the case. The pitfall for left-brainers is to become so saturated with left-brain activities that the right-brain char­ acteristics are switched off or dimmed. Over­ working to the point of ruining health is a common occurrence in fast-paced left-brain societies.

Healthy options for right-brain dominant individuals seem limited. Unless they are bril­ liant and successful artists (painters, musi­ cians, etc.), right-brainers often must find a way to cope with primarily left-brain activi­ ties taught in primarily left-brain school, and end up working in primarily left-brain occu­ pations. Many of my right-brain dominant students have told me they are in left-brain occupations only because they have not found occupations which support and reward right-brain activities as well.

"SLOW DOWN, You MOV E Too FAST . . . "

One indication of an excessively left-brain oriented society is the emphasis on speed. We kve in a fast-paced, impatient culture. "Hurry to meet the deadline." "Time is money." Is profit the bottom line in our society—even at the cost of our health?

We have countless fast-food restaurants, speedy microwave ovens for TV dinners, fast music, speed reading of instant books, and fast cars. And your "machines of seeing" (cor­ rective lenses) will be ready "in about an hour."

Computer companies keep designing faster

and faster computers, which are then used to design even faster computers. Analysts now say a current "state of the art" computer is obsolete in only six months. And the period of time to obsolescence keeps getting shorter.

George Vithoulkas, M.D., writes in A New Model for Health and Disease, "The pressures of modern life place a premium on rapid [healing] and the speedy elimination of symp­ toms."7 The pervasive use of unnecessary "quick fix" surgeries and drugs is discussed in the next chapter.

A man visiting my booth at a health fair once asked me how long it takes to improve vision naturally. I told him some people have taken several years to free themselves com­ pletely from glasses. In that case, he said, he was not interested in my classes, and he was going to have his corneas cut because the refractive surgical procedure only takes a few minutes.

Perhaps impatience, and moving too fast, is to be expected in a very young society like the US.

I used to be semi-apologetic regarding how long it takes students to improve vision. Now, I am proud to tell people it can take a long time. In regards to natural vision, "slow and steady wins the race." When the momentum of natural vision habits is re-established over a long period of time, it is not lost quickly. The long-term approach is a right-brain char­ acteristic.

It is true some natural vision students have succeeded fairly quickly, especially those who have had low blur for only a short time. But I prefer to give conservative examples.

Bates reported some fast improvement of sight in the 1920s. I believe it takes students a longer time to improve sight today because we live in a much more stressful and imbal-

anced society. It takes more energy and time to re-establish the balance required for nor­ mal vision.

RE-ACTIVATING THE RIGHT BRAIN

Our young, technological society has led many people so far into left-brain activities that they have switched off many right-brain characteristics. As a result, many people are now discovering they need to switch back on the right brain.

Many holistic self-improvement programs emphasize right-brain characteristics, e.g., feelings, intuition, trust, "letting go," "seeing the large picture," etc., as vehicles for healing and achieving goals.

Regarding feelings, Cherie Carter-Scott, founder of Motivation-Management-Service, Inc., writes in her book The New Species:

The basic point of view about feelings in our society is that they get in the way. They are a problem for those who feel them and for the people around them. They are unnecessary and bothersome. They are embanassing and do not promote progress or profit.8

.. .The first step in discovering your being [true self] is to allow yourself to have and to experience the multitude of deep emo­ tions that run through you. One reason so few people are in touch with their beings is that feelings and deep emotions are not encouraged in our society, and the inroad to the being is blocked.9

... Allowing yourself to have all of the feelings you experience requires tremen­ dous trust in yourself.10

Many of the imbalances in our "Just give me the facts, Ma'am" society are due to our mechanical way of living, including the sup-

pression and invalidation of feelings.The feel­ ings of others do not need to be understood (assuming they could be), but they need to be validated as real and meaningful to the person experiencing them if that person is to grow.

T. Ribot, in The Psychology of Attention, wrote:

... just as everything that comes from the external senses constitutes the primal sub­ ject-matter of intelligence: and just as, physiologically, vegetative life precedes ani­ mal life, which rests upon it, so also, psy­ chologically, emotional life precedes intellectual life, which rests upon it. The states designated as needs, appetites, inchnations, tendencies, and desires are the direct and immediate results of every ani­ mal organization. They constitute the true basis of emotional life.11

Kenneth R. Pelletier, in this book Mind as Healer, Mind as Slayer, writes:

... stress itself is difficult to identify and individuals are conditioned to ignore its sources and effects. Many people tend to suppress their feelings of stress because the current norm of social behavior is to tol­ erate extraordinarily high levels of stress. There is a martyrlike quality in this atti­ tude which is not constructive.12

D Y S L E X I A - Т О О M U C H LEFT - BRAI N STRES S FOR THE R I G H T B R A I N

One choice the right-brain dominant person has in a left-brain oriented society is to "adapt" to living in a left-brain mode, in which case, things "just don't feel right."

The unnatural option of switching to pri­ marily left-brain activities is so stressful for some right-brain dominant individuals, they

switch off the left brain. This occurs with many children in our society.

One of the consequences of switching off the left brain can be the loss of verbal and math skills. Many people in our society lose the ability to speak, write, or do math cor- rectly—and become dyslexic.

TOM'S PERSONAL LOG: Being a left-brain dominant, chess playing, analytical chemist, one might guess I would be the last person to become dyslexic.

When I started natural healing in 1980,1 participated in many right-brain oriented programs. One program, which I participated in for about two years, was based a great deal on feelings, intuition, and trust.

After this program, I quit my chemistry job and attended school to become a Natural Vision teacher. The training I received was very right-brain oriented.

Upon graduation and moving to San Francisco to begin teaching vision classes, I found I had become dyslexic. When speaking, I left words out of sentences, and I switched the order of words within a sentence—somewhat embarrassing for someone who teaches clarity. Even simple math, like adding two numbers, had become difficult—very embarrassing and perplexing for a former chemist!

What happened? I emphasized right-brain characteristics to the point where I had switched off many of my left-brain verbal and math skills. During this dyslexic period, I was told by a right-brain/left-brain expert that I was right-brain dominant. This was interesting, because my true dominance is left brain.

By studying books on right-bram/left-brain characteristics, I recognized how I had then become imbalanced in an excessive rightbrain manner. By giving more attention to

left-brain characteristics, I began to re-estab- lish a balance between the two brains—and eliminated the dyslexia.

Within the last few years I again experienced short periods of dyslexia when beginning work on the creative parts (graphics, etc.) of this book.

TOM'S PERSONAL LOG: In my first several years of holistic healing I had many reactions on the left side of my body.

The first stress reduction workshop I took resulted in a large red rash forming on my left leg. Left side reactions were related to healing (re-activating) my right brain. In the last ten years of healing, my remaining symptoms have become fairly even on both sides of my body.

It is interesting that in homeopathy, which side of the body a symptom appears on can be an important factor in determining the correct remedy.

T H E B A T E S M E T H O D E X P L A I N E D B Y T H E R I G H T - B R A I N / L E F T - B R A I N M O D E L

Decades before the characteristics of the two brains were formally presented by Sperry and others, Bates discovered that vision is primarily a right-brain function. This was the true brilliance of Bates' work. The majority of people in this society do not have normal sight because they use their vision in primarily a strained, left-brain manner.

If a person uses his visual system primarily in the way he is taught to live in this excessively left-brain oriented society, he will not keep nor- mal, clear vision. The majority of people living in this society strain their vision and create their blur.

Bates' advanced model of vision—linking