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The Art of Seeing
Both a document and a handbook The Art of Seeing records Aldous Huxley's victory over near-blindness and details the simple exercises anyone can follow to improve eyesight. Using the method devised by Dr. William H. Bates, "the pioneer of visual education," as Huxley called him, and heeding the advice of Dr. Bates' disciple, Margaret D. Corbett, Aldous Huxley conquered a vision problem that had plagued him for more than a quarter century.
147 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1942
About the author
Aldous Huxley
950 books12.2k followers
Brave New World
(1932), best-known work of British writer Aldous Leonard Huxley, paints a grim picture of a scientifically organized utopia.
This most prominent member of the famous Huxley family of England spent the part of his life from 1937 in Los Angeles in the United States until his death. Best known for his novels and wide-ranging output of essays, he also published short stories, poetry, travel writing, and film stories and scripts. Through novels and essays, Huxley functioned as an examiner and sometimes critic of social mores, norms and ideals. Spiritual subjects, such as parapsychology and philosophical mysticism, interested Huxley, a humanist, towards the end of his life. People widely acknowledged him as one of the pre-eminent intellectuals of his time before the end of his life.
This most prominent member of the famous Huxley family of England spent the part of his life from 1937 in Los Angeles in the United States until his death. Best known for his novels and wide-ranging output of essays, he also published short stories, poetry, travel writing, and film stories and scripts. Through novels and essays, Huxley functioned as an examiner and sometimes critic of social mores, norms and ideals. Spiritual subjects, such as parapsychology and philosophical mysticism, interested Huxley, a humanist, towards the end of his life. People widely acknowledged him as one of the pre-eminent intellectuals of his time before the end of his life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 26, 2019
The idea that you can exercise and improve or maintain your vision = good.
Doing so by looking at the sun, however briefly = not so much.
Doing so by looking at the sun, however briefly = not so much.
January 18, 2010
I have parted with this book before finishing it, so that others may benefit more from its contents. However though I was only about 60% of the way through it is a great work and, so far as I know, describes techniques for healing and improving eyesight that are still far from mainstream, but that work wonderfully.
The testimony of Huxley himself in this book is wondrous. I had no idea this great author originally had to rely on braille to read. However, he went from being nearly blind to being able to read without glasses thanks to the techniques described in this book. The techniques are not his, but the discussion of them and their application is most helpful. If you, or someone you know, is currently wearing glasses, get this book. Even if your vision is good the content of this book will help you preserve and enhance it.
The testimony of Huxley himself in this book is wondrous. I had no idea this great author originally had to rely on braille to read. However, he went from being nearly blind to being able to read without glasses thanks to the techniques described in this book. The techniques are not his, but the discussion of them and their application is most helpful. If you, or someone you know, is currently wearing glasses, get this book. Even if your vision is good the content of this book will help you preserve and enhance it.
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July 5, 2012My visual acuity improved after reading this book! Today, over twenty years after reading this book, my vision is significantly better than most people in my age group.
March 10, 2015
This book, a description and prescription of the Bates method which Aldous Huxley claimed to have successfully utilized to alleviate his near blindness, is written with a clarity and precision which might well serve as a model for the authors of "owner's manuals" and self-help books. However, although motivated by my own inconvenient myopia and a great respect for Huxley, I found this book ponderously tedious, despite the fine quality of its prose and the occasionally interesting points made about the complex interrelations between mind, body and environment in the highly interpretative act of seeing.
July 23, 2019
This is a very practical & informative book for those looking to improve their eyesight. Probably only Aldous could champion this "think outside the box" approach so persuasively, concentrating on exercises to train the eyes rather than the cop-out band-aid approach of prescription spectacles. Has anyone since stopped to think upon the prevalence of glasses as part of an enormous addiction spread & perpetuated by the companies that manufacture them? Huxley also brings ridicule down on the sunglasses industry, noting that in the early part of the 20th century only people with serious eye problems wore them, & then suddenly they became a fashion staple & prerequisite of "cool," when in reality they simply train one's eyes to become less accustomed to natural light. It takes both patience & stubbornness to follow his suggestions (& make it thru the book!) & I find it quite amusing to hear that people at dinner parties would be a bit disconcerted to find Aldous suddenly covering his eyes with his hands without a word of explanation. His wife would relieve the tension by explaining he was not bored or rude, just engaging in some "palming," one of the therapeutic techniques he recommends here. We should all be so smart & stubborn! Huxley was actually able to improve his eyesight a great deal by following the methods he shares here. Good job Aldous!
November 19, 2014
I came across this book at a used bookstore in Victoria, British Columbia. I had never heard of it before but because it was by Huxley and looked curious I picked it up. I don’t regret the purchase. The book is of interest from three perspectives.
First, it discusses techniques for alleviating vision problems. Some of these techniques are common sense and some are not. People with poor eyesight may want to read the book to check for useful ideas. Be warned, though, it is repetitive. So, be patient. Or skim.
Second, it is a book by and about (to some extent) Aldous Huxley. He was an intelligent writer and it is interesting to read his take on issues that affected him so directly and so significantly.
Third, the book has a philosophical and anthropological aspect as it provides insight into early twentieth century thinking on vision, mind-body interaction and similar themes. For example, Huxley talks about the importance of “dynamic relaxation” – a concept which appears to be the equivalent of “being in the zone”. He also suggests that the capacity for perception depends upon past experience – an idea which can be only partially correct since we all have to start somewhere. In any event, there are numerous ideas of interest and many of them resonate with contemporary thinking about stress and mindfulness. It is worth a look.
First, it discusses techniques for alleviating vision problems. Some of these techniques are common sense and some are not. People with poor eyesight may want to read the book to check for useful ideas. Be warned, though, it is repetitive. So, be patient. Or skim.
Second, it is a book by and about (to some extent) Aldous Huxley. He was an intelligent writer and it is interesting to read his take on issues that affected him so directly and so significantly.
Third, the book has a philosophical and anthropological aspect as it provides insight into early twentieth century thinking on vision, mind-body interaction and similar themes. For example, Huxley talks about the importance of “dynamic relaxation” – a concept which appears to be the equivalent of “being in the zone”. He also suggests that the capacity for perception depends upon past experience – an idea which can be only partially correct since we all have to start somewhere. In any event, there are numerous ideas of interest and many of them resonate with contemporary thinking about stress and mindfulness. It is worth a look.
Read
December 3, 2010I've yet to read "Brave New World," but heard it's good. Huxley maybe should've stuck to fiction. Painfully verbose, yet simultaneously bereft of information. I'm researching alternatives to lasik surgery and came across this book. Huxley's own vision was improved dramatically using the Bates Method, so he wrote this book to promote it. Written in 1942, much of the information is out of date (such as "sunning" the eyes), but there are suggested exercises that seem to follow logical enough to warrant further research. Despite the absence of references to empirical studies and as controversial as the Bates Method is, this book piqued my interest just enough to look into it further.
May 21, 2011
Read the entire book with my pin hole glasses on! Interesting exposition of Dr Bates's theories on the causes and cures of vision problems. Some of the techniques were familiar from vision improvement courses I've tried - with some success. I'm now motivated to go back to them in the hope of ditching my glasses!
February 18, 2018
"The first is connected with the silly craze for shutting out the light, described in an earlier paragraph.
Medical alarmists and the advertisers, who exploit the opinions of these learned
gentlemen for their own profit, have convinced large sections of the public that
light is harmful to the eyes. This is not true; but the belief that it is true can cause a
great deal of harm to those who entertain it. If faith can move mountains, it can also
ruin vision —as anyone may see for himself who has watched the behaviour of
light-fearing people when suddenly exposed to sunshine. They know that light is bad
for them. Consequently, what grimaces! What frowns! What narrowings of the
lids! What screwings-up of the eyes! In a word, what manifest symptoms of strain
and tension! Originating in a false belief, the purely mental terror of light expresses
itself physically in terms of a strained and thoroughly abnormal condition of the
sensing-apparatus. Eyes in such a condition are no longer capable of reacting as they
should to the external environment. Instead of accepting the sunlight easily and as a
blessing, they suffer discomfort and even develop an inflammation of the tissues.
Hence more pain and a heightening of fear, a confirmation of the false faith that light
is harmful. There is also another reason for the discomfort which so many people
now experience when exposed to light. They may not start with any a priori terror
of light; but because their seeing organs are strained and defective, owing to habits
of wrong use, their eyes and mind may be incapable of reacting normally to the
external environment. Strong light is painful to the tense, strained seeing organs.
Because it is painful, a fear of light develops in the mind; and this fear becomes, in
its turn, a cause of further strain and discomfort"
Medical alarmists and the advertisers, who exploit the opinions of these learned
gentlemen for their own profit, have convinced large sections of the public that
light is harmful to the eyes. This is not true; but the belief that it is true can cause a
great deal of harm to those who entertain it. If faith can move mountains, it can also
ruin vision —as anyone may see for himself who has watched the behaviour of
light-fearing people when suddenly exposed to sunshine. They know that light is bad
for them. Consequently, what grimaces! What frowns! What narrowings of the
lids! What screwings-up of the eyes! In a word, what manifest symptoms of strain
and tension! Originating in a false belief, the purely mental terror of light expresses
itself physically in terms of a strained and thoroughly abnormal condition of the
sensing-apparatus. Eyes in such a condition are no longer capable of reacting as they
should to the external environment. Instead of accepting the sunlight easily and as a
blessing, they suffer discomfort and even develop an inflammation of the tissues.
Hence more pain and a heightening of fear, a confirmation of the false faith that light
is harmful. There is also another reason for the discomfort which so many people
now experience when exposed to light. They may not start with any a priori terror
of light; but because their seeing organs are strained and defective, owing to habits
of wrong use, their eyes and mind may be incapable of reacting normally to the
external environment. Strong light is painful to the tense, strained seeing organs.
Because it is painful, a fear of light develops in the mind; and this fear becomes, in
its turn, a cause of further strain and discomfort"
September 28, 2022
One of his most important works.
December 19, 2016
I picked this up because I am a Huxley completist, but I cannot in good conscience recommend it to anyone. If you are having vision trouble, go see your optometrist instead of reading this unhelpful book.
Judging by the title, you may hope that the Art of Seeing has to do with how to be more perceptive in the world or something to that effect, but it is literally about how to improve failing vision. Huxley is hooked on something called the "Bates Method" named for the doctor that invented it. Basically, it recommends that a person often cover their eyes with their palms for a few minutes, practice seeing things far away or near, swing your head around and try to see stuff, and--unbelievably--to "sun" your eyes by looking directly into the sun, albeit for short periods.
If this sounds like advice that is very unlikely to cure your failing vision, I think you are right. The book was written in 1942, and my impression is that science has not come around to accept these practices as beneficial. In one brief section at the beginning of the book, Huxley describes the nature of the scientific debate as between those that believe the eye focuses using only the lenses, and others (such as Bates) that believe the muscles around the eye also squeeze the actual shape of the eye to affect vision as well. I don't know really anything about biology, but again, I think the modern understanding of how eyes work does not include Bates' idea.
Toward the later part of his life, Huxley was opening himself up to all kinds of new experiences, such as experimenting with psychotropic drugs and generally becoming a precursor to what would later be called "hippies." Some of the writing that came out of the period is pretty good, but this book deserves to shelved next to the non-FDA approved herbal remedies and quackery such as therapeutic touch or holistic medicines. Just go see your damned doctor.
Judging by the title, you may hope that the Art of Seeing has to do with how to be more perceptive in the world or something to that effect, but it is literally about how to improve failing vision. Huxley is hooked on something called the "Bates Method" named for the doctor that invented it. Basically, it recommends that a person often cover their eyes with their palms for a few minutes, practice seeing things far away or near, swing your head around and try to see stuff, and--unbelievably--to "sun" your eyes by looking directly into the sun, albeit for short periods.
If this sounds like advice that is very unlikely to cure your failing vision, I think you are right. The book was written in 1942, and my impression is that science has not come around to accept these practices as beneficial. In one brief section at the beginning of the book, Huxley describes the nature of the scientific debate as between those that believe the eye focuses using only the lenses, and others (such as Bates) that believe the muscles around the eye also squeeze the actual shape of the eye to affect vision as well. I don't know really anything about biology, but again, I think the modern understanding of how eyes work does not include Bates' idea.
Toward the later part of his life, Huxley was opening himself up to all kinds of new experiences, such as experimenting with psychotropic drugs and generally becoming a precursor to what would later be called "hippies." Some of the writing that came out of the period is pretty good, but this book deserves to shelved next to the non-FDA approved herbal remedies and quackery such as therapeutic touch or holistic medicines. Just go see your damned doctor.
November 8, 2023
Devo dire che ho trovato questo testo molto interessante soprattuto perché ti fa riflettere sulla percezione visiva e sul modo in cui si può migliorarla. Ho approfondito principalmente la miopia e gli esercizi sono ben scritti e di facile applicazione
May 28, 2022
I feel like all optometrists should give this book a quick read. Again, Huxley is one of the best authors of all time so his writing style is always fantastic to read. This book has an interesting take on sunglasses, and I kind of agree.
December 30, 2019
Very good “first book” for these who eventually really want to go deeper and explore the topic.
April 7, 2024
Insightful Guide to Natural Eyesight Improvement
I recently finished listening to "The Art of Seeing" by Aldous Huxley, and I found it to be a valuable resource for anyone interested in naturally improving their eyesight. Based on the Bates method, the book offers creative exercises like using dominoes and dice, which add a fresh perspective to familiar techniques.
Despite its formal style, which reflects its original publication in 1942, the book provides practical insights into eye exercises, such as "flashing," a technique where you quickly glance at an object and then look away to test your memory. I'm intrigued by the idea of using dominoes for vision exercises and plan to give it a try.
Listening to the audiobook straight through wasn't the ideal way to absorb the content, as it's more akin to a manual best used for reference. Therefore, I'm considering purchasing the e-book version for easier navigation. One aspect I appreciated was the discussion on lumens and the impact of lighting on eye health. I immediately downloaded a light meter app and was surprised to learn that I was probably straining my eyes by working in an office with minimal lighting. Learning about photophobia, the fear of bright light, prompted me to improve the lighting in my workspace and reduce the stress on my eyes.
Overall, "The Art of Seeing" is a valuable addition to the collection of anyone interested in natural eyesight improvement. It offers reinforcement of familiar techniques such as “swinging” and introduces new exercises, making it a worthwhile read for those seeking to enhance their vision health.
I recently finished listening to "The Art of Seeing" by Aldous Huxley, and I found it to be a valuable resource for anyone interested in naturally improving their eyesight. Based on the Bates method, the book offers creative exercises like using dominoes and dice, which add a fresh perspective to familiar techniques.
Despite its formal style, which reflects its original publication in 1942, the book provides practical insights into eye exercises, such as "flashing," a technique where you quickly glance at an object and then look away to test your memory. I'm intrigued by the idea of using dominoes for vision exercises and plan to give it a try.
Listening to the audiobook straight through wasn't the ideal way to absorb the content, as it's more akin to a manual best used for reference. Therefore, I'm considering purchasing the e-book version for easier navigation. One aspect I appreciated was the discussion on lumens and the impact of lighting on eye health. I immediately downloaded a light meter app and was surprised to learn that I was probably straining my eyes by working in an office with minimal lighting. Learning about photophobia, the fear of bright light, prompted me to improve the lighting in my workspace and reduce the stress on my eyes.
Overall, "The Art of Seeing" is a valuable addition to the collection of anyone interested in natural eyesight improvement. It offers reinforcement of familiar techniques such as “swinging” and introduces new exercises, making it a worthwhile read for those seeking to enhance their vision health.
December 26, 2019
Prefiero no entrar en detalle en el contenido. Como mínimo es obsoleto en muchos aspectos, lo que lo hace técnicamente irrelevante. Quien esté interesado en el método Bates hará mejor en recurrir a otras fuentes.
Como libro es ilegible.
Como libro es ilegible.
December 6, 2018
THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE
December 14, 2018
It was very interesting. I stopped reading it because the methods discussed did not apply to macular degeneration.
October 20, 2019
Not what I expected.... and not something I enjoyed
March 17, 2020
Must read
March 3, 2022
Following dr. William H. Bates method to improve vision without glasses he gives examples of exercises.
April 5, 2022
don' take it at heart to stare straight at the sun with open eyes.
September 2, 2023
"Vermijd verveling, indien mogelijk, en verveel anderen niet" (44).
March 22, 2017
папвапвапвапва
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 8, 2019
Un libro molto tecnico. Certe parti risulteranno noiose a chi non realmente interessato alla rieducazione della vista tramite esercizi e allenamento.
August 10, 2009
didn't finish
February 5, 2013
Excelente libro para todas las personas que necesitan/usan anteojos, y si no los necesitan también. Huxley, te queremos.
September 11, 2016
Useful advice, as usual it could have been half pages less if it wasn't for Aldous Huxley's pen.
July 26, 2016
Some interesting stuff and some *really* dodgy stuff. Staring a the sun?!
But anyway, some helpful speed reading tips.
But anyway, some helpful speed reading tips.
February 23, 2020
"El exitoso y ya clásico método de recuperación visual explciado por el célebre escritor británico".
Ediciones Renglón.
Ediciones Renglón.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews