|
FOREWORD
The
fact that poor vision can often be cured without glasses or surgery was
discovered in the late 1890s by Dr. William H. Bates, an ophthalmologist
from New York. The techniques
Dr. Bates developed to naturally cure many eyesight problems became known
as the “Bates Method.” He
published his techniques in the 1920 book Perfect
Sight Without Glasses (available for free from Visions of Joy), and he
successfully used his method in hospitals, in his own clinic, as well as
in various schools.
After
Dr. Bates’ death in 1931 it became harder to obtain Dr. Bates’
original writings and guidance, including Better
Eyesight, the monthly magazine he published for 11 years that
clarified his method and recorded its results and advances.
New generations of practitioners of the Bates Method relied on
second generation and/or edited sources of Dr. Bates’ teachings that had
lost essential elements of his approach.
Dr.
Bates used the holistic approach to cure vision problems.
He taught people with poor vision how to release the strain from
their eyes and mind thereby improving or perfecting their vision.
At its core, the method consists of applying relaxed vision habits
all day long; it’s not a regimen of eye exercises.
While eye exercises are beneficial in some cases, they are not an
effective way to overcome the eyestrain that leads to poor vision.
Many
followed Dr. Bates’ method and found they were able to quickly and
easily improve their vision by following this eye-surgeon’s advice. The
intent of this book is to acquaint more people with this original material
and to spread this knowledge again to those who need it most, whether
teacher or student of the method.
The
following pages are copied from the original Better
Eyesight magazines that Dr. Bates published from 1919 to 1930.
Most of the articles were written by Dr. Bates himself; the
remainder by his wife Emily Lierman-Bates, his assistant for many years,
and a variety of contributors to the magazine.
Regardless of the author, all of these articles accurately reflect
Dr. Bates’ theories and methodology, his practical advice, and many case
histories illustrating and proving the Bates Method’s effectiveness with
improving vision naturally.
Converting
the content of 11 years worth of Better
Eyesight magazine into typed text has kept me busy for many months,
and proved to be an education for me personally.
I’m pleased to now present it to you.
It is the first time that this original information has been
assembled in one searchable e-book.
Many
people can use this information to improve their vision on their own.
Others may prefer the guidance of a Bates practitioner.
How to find a qualified Bates practitioner?
Look for someone who has thoroughly studied Dr. Bates’ teachings
and used this learning to improve their own vision.
Also, take heart in the story of Emily (Better
Eyesight, August 1919 edition), a young schoolgirl who, after
regaining clear vision herself, applied her basic knowledge of the Bates
Method to correct the serious vision problems of four of her classmates.
With her innocence and total faith in the method, Emily proved that
anyone can master, apply and then successfully teach the essential
principles of natural vision.
Having
personally experienced the immense joy of regaining clear vision, I trust
that anyone who reads and studies this collection will also benefit
greatly from this knowledge. I
sincerely hope that you, too, will take the responsibility to educate
yourself in the relaxed use of the eyes and mind.
If you do, you may change your vision, as well as your life.
Thank
you for your interest in this wonderful field of natural vision education.
I welcome your comments and look forward to hearing of your
experience with the application of the Bates Method.
Enjoy
Your Path To Clarity!
Esther
Joy van der Werf
California, March 2008
|
