Buddhist techniques to help improve eyesight naturally
Exercises that help improve eyesight (and feel great)
This post is updated from its original.
Eye strain, aging, and various forms of chronic illness (including Lyme disease) can all affect vision negatively. No matter our situation, we all want our vision to last! Beyond glasses or surgery, there are eye exercises that may help improve vision, or at least prevent it from worsening.
The exercises described below, made popular by the Bates method, originated with Buddhist monks long ago. They help to soften muscle tissue around the eyes and optical nerves, leading to greater blood flow and lymphatic drainage, and allowing the eyeball itself to expand. When our eyes are relaxed and our fluids are moving, toxins can drain, inflammation lowers, and tissue can self-heal.
Not only do these exercises support good vision, they feel deeply relaxing. They’re a good meditation all by themselves.
The Bates Method has Buddhist origins
Most people have heard of the Bates method, which has helped thousands of people reduce their prescription for glasses and contacts. Not many know, however, that Bates based some of his eye exercises on techniques used by Buddhist monks centuries ago. The monks used darkness, sunlight, and visualizations to improve eyesight naturally. An added benefit of their practice is it clears the eyes physically – eliminating redness and puffiness, reducing dark circles, and making your eyes more luminous.
I used to have lots of little red veins visible in my eyes, and some serious dark circles below them. (Luckily, this was the worst Lyme did to my eyes.) After practicing this method I can honestly tell you my eyes look so different. They are clear and clean. I don't have circles. Some young guy at the grocery store actually complimented me on them the other day, much to my surprise.
Visualizing perfect blackness helps heal your vision
One of the techniques the Buddhist monks used to support good vision involves both creating and visualizing perfect blackness. You can use an eye mask if the room you’re in is already dark, or you can "palm" your eyes, by covering them softly with both of the palms of your hands. Another option is one of those little eye pillows filled with lavendar or another good-smelling herb. In any case, the goal is to shut out all light. (Using your palms is my preferred choice, as it warms the tissue around the eyes, which aids with moving fluids.)
Once you’re relaxing with your eyes covered, begin to visualize perfect blackness. The tension we all hold in our eyes will translate into lights moving across your visual field, in patterns, shapes, dots or floating images. Disregard them, and use your imagination to conjure a velvet field of deep, warm blackness enclosing your eyes. As you breathe and relax, the lights you see will begin to soften. Eventually, if your eyes can completely relax, the visuals may disappear entirely. (According to Bates, this is a desired state – but I’ve never managed it.)
This practice of palming and visualizing blackness can actually improve vision, or at least stop further degeneration. It feels blissfully relaxing, and because it helps with circulation around the eyes, it can lessen headaches and sinus pain as well.
Bathe your eyes in sunlight
The Buddhists (and Bates) suggest a complement to palming and visualizing blackness. Sunbathing your eyes is also incredibly soothing and revitalizing, and may improve vision. We evolved to spend a lot more time outdoors with our eyes exposed to sunlight.
To practice this, head outdoors, and close your eyes, letting the sun shine on your eyelids. (Take off glasses or contacts with UV protection). Gently rotate your eyes from side to side, letting the warmth and color of the sun soak in. The full spectrum light of the sun boosts mitochondrial function (cellular energy production) – and we have more mitochondria in our eyes than almost anywhere else.
Use these tools for meditation
Both visualizing perfect darkness and sunbathing your eyes are terrific tools for meditation, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Paying close attention to how your eyes feel, allowing the muscles around your eyes to relax as deeply as possible – this is relaxation and self-care in the elusive present moment. Both of these practices have been helpful for me during Lyme headaches; just bringing my body back to a soft and grounded state. The benefits to vision are almost secondary.
If you need more support, the Cranial meditation on my website was inspired in part by these ancient Buddhist techniques. You can use it to support your eye exercises if you like.
Thank you for visiting! Your eyes are deep and beautiful,
Shona