A report and a workshop by Martin Sussman, an internationally known expert in holistic vision care, and founder of the Cambridge Institute for Better Vision, makes a correlation between nearsightedness and introverts. This is the first I heard that nearsightedness to be more prevalent in those more “introverted, shy and lacking confidence.” What does it mean for introverts?
Years ago in reading Louise Hay’s book, Heal Your Life, I found it quite revealing the she would identify nearsightedness with a mindset or belief of fear of seeing the future, or seeing outside of yourself. So, she is one of several to make a connection between a vision problem and a belief system. Now, there’s this added dimension of introversion.
Introverts, introspection and sight. Introversion or extroversion is all about the flow of energy. Introverts energy is inward and extroverts energy is outside. By focusing inward nearsighted introverts stay inside, maybe even stuck, rather than taking in more of what’s outside. But if we, introverts, get our energy from outside and want to improve our natural vision, then how do we go outside and then maintain our energy?
Start with beliefs. As Sussman was studying the correlation he asked people in his vision program, could they remember any events happening between the time they had perfect vision and the time it changed? When I thought back, I could remember almost the exact day in my teenage life and the immediate events preceding it. Sussman encourages that it’s as or more important to change the current belief holding the nearsightedness stuck as it is to address the causing event. Knowing the transition event is like that sparkling star across the heavens – or even melting a snowflake. It begins the shift, a shift in sight.
Get a balance between looking and seeing. In my corporate training listening segments, I often say, “Assuming we are healthy people, we can hear, but we don’t always listen.” Dr. Roberto Kaplan makes a similar distinction between looking and seeing. Just as complete listening takes in feelings and facts, seeing takes in the physical and the emotions. If we balance the two styles of sight, we have a conscious seeing. If you wear glasses or contacts, Sussman suggests taking time everyday to go without for a period of time and just see, instead of look.
Two years ago I started a physical program to improve my vision. Sussman’s report has inspired me to get back to see clearly today!. And now, when I get back to the eye muscle exercises, I’ll add some new affirmations and begin to take time to just “see.”