One of the techniques, the periperal vision reset, is one that I learned when I began riding horses. We called it the "soft eye", and it works so well. Even the horse can sense the physical shifts.
Love this, Marianne...and you’re exactly right. In horsemanship, they call it the soft eye for a reason...widen the gaze...drop the micro-tension...and the whole system (yours and the horse’s) shifts to parasympathetic.
Prey animals read our micro-cues better than people do...shoulders drop...breath deepens...they feel it instantly. For everyone reading...try it while standing...then while walking...watch how posture...balance...and even your voice change...in seconds. That’s the peripheral vision reset doing its work. Almost seeming ...magical.
And here’s the truth beneath your words: the reason this lands for you is because the capacity was already there. I’m just giving language and structure to what you’ve carried... quietly...for years. People with a sense of duty...conscience...and clarity tend to recognize each other instantly...even across pixels.
If my work gives you a steadier path forward...it’s only because you were already pointed in that direction. I’m glad you’re here!
Quaked internally with this spoken knowledge. ‘Tis true
I have felt this compass inside and followed it for years. Not blindly but with a shrug of insignificance towards the outcome. I pretty much landed where I needed to be and if bruised, I assuaged the wounds and carried on.
I found my way
I followed my heart my values
my rudders flow in life’s sweet river
BUt now the rivers’ raucous and rushing torrents of digits, change, and splashings until my mind body bends and forgets how precious and power FULL l / we are
Thank you for the reminders
And oars that guide
Ps : I’m About to jump into new waters again & it’s good to know I swim not alone
Thank you so much for these great techniques to regain control over my nervous system. I have written them down on 2 index cards; one to keep by my chair and the other one in my pocketbook.
What a great idea! I will do this as well after casually trying a few of these techniques and getting an incredible response and much physical relief! 🙂👍
I’m really glad it hit home, NK... because that “confused / not doing enough / something’s wrong with me” feeling...isn’t a character flaw. It’s a nervous system state...and once you see it for what it is...the whole thing loses its grip.
Clarity isn’t just comforting...it’s power. It lets you act from a grounded place instead of fear. And the fact that you recognized your own symptoms so quickly...tells me you’re already building the internal armor this moment demands.
😂 Trust me, Debby... I get it. Ten feels like a victory lap… sixty feels like I dumped the whole toolbox on the table.
But here’s the good news:
You don’t need all 60 today.
Or this week.
Or even this month.
They’re not chores...they’re options. Little levers...you can pull...depending on what your mind or body needs in the moment. Think of it like having a whole arsenal...instead of a single blunt instrument.
And the fact that you made it through the first ten?
That already puts you miles ahead of where most people ever get.
The other 50?
They’ll be waiting for you when you want them...not when you don’t.
And yes… all of this said with love right back at you.:)
One of the techniques, the periperal vision reset, is one that I learned when I began riding horses. We called it the "soft eye", and it works so well. Even the horse can sense the physical shifts.
Love this, Marianne...and you’re exactly right. In horsemanship, they call it the soft eye for a reason...widen the gaze...drop the micro-tension...and the whole system (yours and the horse’s) shifts to parasympathetic.
Prey animals read our micro-cues better than people do...shoulders drop...breath deepens...they feel it instantly. For everyone reading...try it while standing...then while walking...watch how posture...balance...and even your voice change...in seconds. That’s the peripheral vision reset doing its work. Almost seeming ...magical.
-Jack
Horses are people, too!
Such a much needed report! Brilliantly done!
Many thanks !
I'm so glad you found it helpful, Lillian. Thank you. And, of course...you're welcome.
-Jack
Thanks Jack, A small credit card-sized cheat sheet with each of the techniques’ names to prompt quick resets would be handy
. Looking forward to the next installment.
Great idea, Sherri. Truly.
-Jack
My dear Mr Hopkins
How is it I have not known of you before now?
Your ancient wisdom and lexicon mastery
Coupled with an ordered structure of hope
Give me pause and reflection of my own capacities.
Building capacity in others
You bestow
A soul- centered path forward with a bit of rigor
Well done maestro
MM
Thank you, MM...that means more than you know. :)
And here’s the truth beneath your words: the reason this lands for you is because the capacity was already there. I’m just giving language and structure to what you’ve carried... quietly...for years. People with a sense of duty...conscience...and clarity tend to recognize each other instantly...even across pixels.
If my work gives you a steadier path forward...it’s only because you were already pointed in that direction. I’m glad you’re here!
-Jack
Quaked internally with this spoken knowledge. ‘Tis true
I have felt this compass inside and followed it for years. Not blindly but with a shrug of insignificance towards the outcome. I pretty much landed where I needed to be and if bruised, I assuaged the wounds and carried on.
I found my way
I followed my heart my values
my rudders flow in life’s sweet river
BUt now the rivers’ raucous and rushing torrents of digits, change, and splashings until my mind body bends and forgets how precious and power FULL l / we are
Thank you for the reminders
And oars that guide
Ps : I’m About to jump into new waters again & it’s good to know I swim not alone
Thank you so much for these great techniques to regain control over my nervous system. I have written them down on 2 index cards; one to keep by my chair and the other one in my pocketbook.
That’s exactly how to use them, Linn...not as ideas you vaguely remember...but as tools you can reach for in real time.
Having them on index cards means your nervous system gets the message...I have a plan. I’m not helpless. I can change my state on command.
That shift alone...puts you ahead of 99% of people caught in this moment. Keep those cards close...they’re small...but they carry real power.
-Jack
What a great idea! I will do this as well after casually trying a few of these techniques and getting an incredible response and much physical relief! 🙂👍
WOW!
Works great!
When I'm feeling "confused" like I haven't done enough or the right things I have most all of these "symptoms ".
The clarity is such a relief.
THANK YOU JACK! YOU'RE A WONDER!🦋🌸💕
🗽🇺🇲🇺🇦
I’m really glad it hit home, NK... because that “confused / not doing enough / something’s wrong with me” feeling...isn’t a character flaw. It’s a nervous system state...and once you see it for what it is...the whole thing loses its grip.
Clarity isn’t just comforting...it’s power. It lets you act from a grounded place instead of fear. And the fact that you recognized your own symptoms so quickly...tells me you’re already building the internal armor this moment demands.
You’re doing the work. And it shows!
-Jack
Thank you. Extremely useful information.
You're welcome, John. It's nice to know it landed like this for you!
-Jack
Thank you Jack
YOU, Teri...are welcome.
-Jack
Dude…60???
Seriously?
I was patting myself on the back getting thru the 10–
And I said to myself: “self, you got this…10 fast little things to make you feel better”
Now it’s times 6
You’re killing me smalls
(Said with all the love and appreciation of course😉🌻💛)
😂 Trust me, Debby... I get it. Ten feels like a victory lap… sixty feels like I dumped the whole toolbox on the table.
But here’s the good news:
You don’t need all 60 today.
Or this week.
Or even this month.
They’re not chores...they’re options. Little levers...you can pull...depending on what your mind or body needs in the moment. Think of it like having a whole arsenal...instead of a single blunt instrument.
And the fact that you made it through the first ten?
That already puts you miles ahead of where most people ever get.
The other 50?
They’ll be waiting for you when you want them...not when you don’t.
And yes… all of this said with love right back at you.:)
-Jack
This is fantastic, Jack. Some of these we practice in the Yoga for Stiff People class I attend. I’m 71. 😊Can’t wait to commit to the next 60.
Love your clear, instructive writing style. Very conscious and purposeful.
I still write too many words. A female brain thing, I think. I tell stories.
🫶🙏