To learn more about Dr. Berne’s Vision Intensives send us an e-mail: appointments@drsamberne.com

To join Dr. Berne’s March Online Workshop go to: https://www.drsamberne.com/workshop/the-perceptual-field/

To sign up for Dr. Berne’s In-Person Retreat go to: https://www.drsamberne.com/workshop/beyond-the-eyes-vision-perception-the-nervous-system-an-immersive-retreat/

In this episode, Dr. Sam Berne explores why some people feel dizzy, foggy, or disconnected when they try to relax — and why this is often not an ear problem or aging issue, but a brainstem prediction response. You’ll learn how vision, motion, and nervous system safety are deeply connected, why relaxation can trigger protective shutdown in sensitive systems, and how gentle, choice-based sensory work can help restore stability. This episode reframes dizziness as a perceptual and neurological pattern — not weakness — and offers a new understanding of how the brain and eyes work together to create a sense of safety.

Keywords vision, dizziness, brainstem, nervous system, relaxation, perception, sensory input, eye health, somatic movement, meditation Summary In this episode, Dr. Sam Berne explores the intricate relationship between vision, the nervous system, and the experience of dizziness. He discusses how relaxation can sometimes lead to feelings of dizziness due to the brainstem’s protective mechanisms. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the brain’s predictions about safety and movement, and how vision plays a crucial role in regulating our nervous system. Dr. Berne offers insights into practical tools for improving vision and overall well-being. Takeaways The vision intensive helps explore your vision and nervous system. Relaxation can sometimes trigger dizziness due to brainstem responses. Dizziness may be a protective mechanism of the nervous system. The brainstem assesses safety and control in movement. Vision is interconnected with bodily sensations and safety. Meditation can lead to feelings of dizziness if not approached correctly. Gentle sensory input can help stabilize vision and movement. Peripheral awareness is crucial for reducing visual overwhelm. Reconnecting the brain and body can improve vision. Understanding the brain’s predictions can enhance relaxation experiences. Sound bites “When relaxation makes you dizzy.” “Are my eyes connected to my body?” “Your system is not broken.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Vision and Relaxation 01:56 Understanding Dizziness and the Brainstem Connection 04:40 The Role of Vision in Nervous System Regulation

If you would like to book a Vision and Nervous System Reset Intensive (1 on 1) with Dr. Berne, send us an e-mail: appointments@drsamberne.com

To register for my upcoming online course called the Perceptual Field starting March 18th : https://www.drsamberne.com/workshop/the-perceptual-field/

To register for my in-person retreat in September : https://www.drsamberne.com/workshop/beyond-the-eyes-vision-perception-the-nervous-system-an-immersive-retreat/

Keywords

vision therapy, eye health, neuroplasticity, holistic approaches, red light therapy, blue light dangers, progressive lenses, nutrition, functional vision, Sam Berne

Summary

In this episode, Sam Berne shares his personal journey with vision therapy, discussing the transformative effects of holistic approaches to eye care. He emphasizes the importance of neuroplasticity, nutrition, and the dangers of blue light, while also debunking myths surrounding progressive lenses. The conversation explores various therapies, including red light therapy, and offers practical tips for maintaining eye health.

Takeaways

Sam Berne’s journey from needing glasses to improving his vision through therapy.
The significance of neuroplasticity in vision improvement.
Red light therapy can enhance cellular energy and improve eyesight.
Blue light from screens can damage eye tissue and lead to degeneration.
Progressive lenses may worsen macular degeneration by limiting vision use.
Holistic approaches to eye care include nutrition and lifestyle changes.
Artificial lighting can negatively impact mood and health.
Functional vision assessments are crucial for understanding eye health.
Dietary changes can significantly improve eye conditions like AMD.
Regular exposure to natural sunlight is beneficial for eye health.

Sound bites

“The eyes originate from the brain.”
“Blue light is like a toxin.”
“Artificial light is like artificial food.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Vision Therapy and Personal Journey
04:01 Sam’s Personal Story and Transformation
10:03 Holistic Approaches to Eye Care
12:59 Understanding Eye Health and Nutrition
18:04 Neuroplasticity and Vision Improvement
22:02 Red Light Therapy and Its Benefits
26:27 The Dangers of Blue Light
33:07 The Myths of Progressive Lenses
39:56 Functional Vision vs. Structural Eye Care
46:34 Practical Tips for Eye Health

Sam Berne (00:01.486)
Hey everyone, welcome to the podcast today. So the title of this podcast is the perception lineage and why my work is different. I’d like to address a question that keeps coming up. Where does my work sit in relation to David Abram, Ian McIlchrist, Merleau Ponte and indigenous perception traditions? I’m clearly in the same

territory, but I also do something very different. I don’t just describe perception. I restore it. Here’s my main premise. Perception is retrainable. It’s relational and it’s resolvable through our nervous system. Vision isn’t just optical. Vision is the nervous system.

organizing itself around reality and it does so through the body. David Abram is a perceptual poet.

He re-enchants the sensory system. He reminds us that the world is alive, responsive and participatory. But he’s not doing nervous system rehabilitation. He restores meaning. I restore capacity. McGillchrist is the master diagnostician for restoring attention. He shows us

how the culture collapses perception into a narrow focus.

Sam Berne (01:50.05)
And he gives us the map of cultural injury. My work takes the next step when somebody asks, okay, how do I get my depth back? Merleau-Ponty gives us our truth back that perception is embodied. He says it’s not just a mental construct, but he doesn’t give any practices. My work takes the

theory of embodiment and puts it into different practices, your biology, your physiology, your ocular motility, your perception, your memory and your nervous system safety.

Indigenous traditions are relational. They understand the field. They can look at the big picture, the wide vision. Respectfully, I’m not here to take their symbols or rituals. I’m here to restore your biology, which makes perception relational again. Three-dimensional vision, slow nonlinear movement.

Breath.

safety and sensory reciprocity. Here’s the cleanest way to say it. Abram restores the sacredness of perception.

Sam Berne (03:25.666)
McIlchrist emphasizes the importance of attention. Merleau-Ponty emphasizes the importance of embodiment. Indigenous cultures restore relational seeing.

And I restore the perceptual field through the nervous system. And this makes vision alive again. I observed that vision is a lived experience through the body.

If you’re experiencing your vision tense, braced, rushed, defended, tight, narrow, you’re not broken. You’re describing a perceptual field that’s under stress. Just know that your vision can be restored. So that’s our show for today. I want to thank you so much for tuning in. Remember, vision is more than eyesight.

It’s a whole body experience.