Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ PhotoReading, Memory Optimizer Headaches with photofocus

hello , I'm new here but have been studying photoreading from the book itself which I have for about a year now.

My main point of contention is using the photofocus or "soft gaze". I can see the blip page no problem I even concentrate on the white between , trying to see the text as a graphiv rather than words .Only that I find myself getting dizzy after fliping 20 pages mainly with the strain of keeping that photofocus and I'm not crossiing my eyes btw. Any tips for this fustrating hurdle?

I have tried the alternative of the "X" technique in the page. Although I'm not sure if im doing this right. Is it always necessary to maintain a soft focus even with the page turned upside down?

Check that you are not crossing your eyes. Don't take it for granted that they are not crossed.

Remember to blink and remember to drink plenty of water. If' you are dehydrated when you start PhotoReading you'll find yourself getting a headache since you are using your brain and it needs water to do the work.

Yes it is always necessary to have a soft gaze. Soft means don't force it, relax. It feels like daydreaming.

Alex

Ok I've been trying what you have suggested. I've even asked a relative to look at my eyes while I attempted photofocus to see if my eyes were crossing , (I mean how you meant to tell anyway?) apperantly all I was doing was narrowing my eyes slightly inwards while trying to photofocus on the page . - something like I would when staring at a scrambled 3d image. I even followed the advice in the book of looking above the page to achieve a "blip" which did occur , but of course this still causes strain on my eyes when I try to maintain it.I also followed your advive on blinking and of course being well hydrated before hand- still no go.

Anyway I also tried a soft gaze-but felt letharigic afterwards.This was done manually de-focusing my eyes because I find it difficult to see the page blurred/soft gazed any other way .

On the other hand I again spent some time using the "X" technique concentrating on the white "negative space" at the page.

What I can see is a somtimes blurred periphery yet the letters are clear towards the center. But as you said yourself the whole page must be blurred before it can be sub-conciously recorded. This again is my major problem - still any hints to offer my fustrated self?

Thanks again btw

Okay you've explained the reason you're getting headaches very clearly... narrowing of the eyes is squinting. You're still trying to see with your primary focus and are almost as good as crossing your eyes only worse. Squinting will bring on a headache very quickly because you are tensing the muscles of your face.

Let me make a couple of things very clear.

• You do NOT need to see the blip page to be in photofocus. In fact you can be seeing the blip page and NOT be in photofocus. Squinting and crossing your eyes are the way to do it.

• The page MAY be blurred and probably is when you look at it with a soft GAZE

• Both X-Technique and blip page are obtained with a relaxed soft focus.

For correct photofocus.

• Look at an object about 18 to 24 inches away from you (45 - 60 cm)

• Maintain your focus on that and slowly move the book into your line of vision. It will be about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 Cm) in front of your face.

• Still maintaining your relaxed normal focus on the distant object you selected notice the four corners of the book. Notice that on your book your gaze is soft and relaxed because your primary focus is on the book.

• The text is probably slightly out of focused making it blurry. That's natural because you are looking beyond the pages of the book. You're looking at the book with your relaxed naturally divergent gaze.

If you can comfortably see the four corners of the book proceed with the next step. If not adjust yourself slightly so you can see the four corners and maintain your focus on a distant object. Make it comfortable so you can turn the pages while you're doing it. The object can be 4 inches (10cm) behind the book or a lighthouse on an island well away from the shore.

• Notice the whites of the page and the imaginary X-technique. You may or may not see the blip page. No matter ... as long as your focus is on the object beyond the book and you can gently keep it on the object beyond the book begin PhotoReading, you are in photofocus.

In time you won't need to look at the object in the distance. You'll be able to move your gaze to the centre of the book and maintain photofocus. You may or may not see the blip page. The text is probably slightly blurred (you don't even have to force it) As you relax into photofocus over time the text will take on an unusual clarity. It's not important.

If you simply focus on something beyond the book and relax your gaze you won't have any problem.

Alex

Thanks for your patience Alex
Again I have been practicing what you have suggested , to greater effect but still running into hurdles.

I should clarify what it wasnt so much squinting my eyes , rather I was "narrowing" the pupils very slightly while keeping a relaxed facial expression -possibly a few deviations towards the bridge of my nose , to the effect of seeing through the object. ( not somthing that would give the apperance of cross eyes either) . Neverthless it didnt work out, and wont be used again.

I even find focusing on a distance object and bringing it back to the book itself as helpful yet it also caused strain. Apperantly even staring at a monitor ( and blinking regularly) still causes eye strain.

All else said , the "x" technique with a soft gaze while keeping focused on the peripheral edges of the book/pages is the only technique that will not immediately cause eye strain/nauseation. Although it will take more practice to stop myself from conciously recognising a word while trying to maintain an unconcious stream.This I find the difficult part. But is that important?

I'll also add that in the beginning it takes a concious effort to notice the whites of the page contrasted against the text .Also anything other than breathing in a steady rythym while PRing in photofocus takes a concious effort -take for instance "chanting mantras" , is quite off putting.

If the x-technique works best for you use it. To avoid reading turn the book upside down. It's all to easy to switch into the reading mode.

The narrowing of the pupils indicate you are trying to focus with the fovea. When you relax your gaze it doesn't focus on anything and the whole world can seem out of focus. Most people experience this when they are day dreaming looking at something but their mental focus is somewhere else and the eyes have followed..

Chanting mantras? Relax, Relax said slowly over and over in a steady rhythm is hardly chanting a mantra. It's to keep the conscious mind occupied. If you are finding it hard . You're simply trying to hard.

The PhotoReading step itself is the easiest of the system other than entering the Accelerated Learning State, taking a moment to affirm your intent, and acknowledge your purpose, place the tangerine and smile and then get to the job of just looking at the pages with a soft gaze while saying a chant (for rhythm) to keep the pace as you turn the pages. Then close with a closing affirmation of your intent to notice what comes out of it.

We do all that to set the stage and help you change the rules you have about reading. Your headache and your posts says you're trying to get PhotoReading to work within your rules of how you think it should be. Rather, Let go and see what your experience is when you just do it.

Alex