Quite a few years ago, I took a class with an energy healer to learn more about the connection between the mind and the body and the emotions. This was before I had done any vision improvement work, and was just starting to dig into my own unexplored feelings. One of the key points this teacher made which still sticks with me was about Fear. The full realization of how much this strong emotion had dominated my life was becoming clear to me, to my dismay. So I was hoping to learn enough to be able to control my Fear instead of feeling completely at its mercy.
The teacher talked about how the mind interprets what we are feeling and makes meaning out of that raw sensory input. She said when adrenaline courses through the nervous system, we will feel fear if we don’t think we’re safe, for example if a large wild animal is approaching us. Yikes! Yet the same biochemical signal of adrenaline will be interpreted as excitement if we’re feeling safe and comfortable, say if our best friend is coming toward us when we hadn’t realized she was nearby. Yippee!
This was a big Aha Moment for me, as Oprah likes to say. When I feel that spike of fear, it’s because of my interpretation of what’s happening, not an actual fact which can’t be changed! Of course the natural next step for me was to explore what makes me feel safe, or not safe. Maybe if I can feel safe most of the time, I will hardly ever be afraid!
My vision teacher has said most eyesight restriction starts when we don’t feel safe about looking at our surroundings. You can observe this in childhood when there is a family disruption like the death of a sibling or a divorce or a move away from the familiar home and friends, then the child “needs” eyeglasses a year later. He or she was overwhelmed with the new situation and literally did not want to see it. So the eyes obeyed the direction of the mind and made vision blurry. I believe glasses are not the true answer, that helping the child feel safe enough to reach out visually is.
In my own vision improvement work, I often ramp up the excitement when I see something more clearly than usual, or notice something in my environment I hadn’t before. Look how well I can see! My vision is great today! Woo hoo! And I often dance around like a happy child, really letting my brain and body know that I want to see well, and am grateful.
When my view is more blurry than usual, it’s often interesting to explore what I might be worried or anxious or nervous about, as these feelings are all milder versions of fear. Sometimes EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique or “tapping”) or other energy work, or journaling can actually transform my anxiety into excitement about the upcoming opportunity, as I realize I really am safe and will be able to handle the situation after all.
Recently I heard a talk by one of my favorite spiritual teachers, Robert Ohotto, where he was talking about not feeling like we fit in. He said “People who have learned to parent themselves can go anywhere in the world and feel at home.” Always on the lookout for how I can feel safer, I thought “Wow! It’s the child inside me who doesn’t feel safe, not the adult I am now!”. With this understanding, I believe I moved one step closer to knowing I am indeed safe most of the time, and can help myself or get help from others when I need it.
Safety or danger is relative, of course. Thrill seekers might be drawn to danger most of us would run from, or what might be pleasant and calm to me might be boring to someone else. As with anything, you have to know yourself and what you need for a satisfying life (or clear seeing!), then do your best to get that. You and your vision are totally worth it!
|
5 TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR Quickly prove to yourself that
|
I wore strong glasses, then contact lenses, from age 5 into my 40s. While making many mistakes, eventually l learned how to improve the way I use my eyes and to see in a more relaxed, healthy manner. It is my pleasure to coach others to do the same. Visit me at https://NancyLNeff.com.