Abby is off to the beach with her friend Julie and I’ve been listening to meditative music and observing Lanai time.

I can feel the warmth of the sun helping me relax after a morning run. 

Lying still, eyes closed, I’m witnessing steams of color in waves that move upward. No I’m not on mushrooms, herb, beer or whiskey….

I see shades of green, yellow and orange float together and then vanish.

My curiosity has me wondering about what I’m witnessing.

I cover my eyes with my left hand and the colors change to a deep navy blue in thin strips.  Then, I change to my right hand and the colors again change to deep purple clouds.   I change hands back and forth several times with the same result then I realize how crazy I look …..and decide that Lanai time is over and it is off to research my experience.

Wouldn’t it be cool if I was achieving something metaphysical like a Zen or Zeta state? What I found was interesting but not other worldly.

Why Did the Colors Change?

1. Pressure on the Eyes (Phosphenes)

When you place your hand over your eyes, especially with slight pressure, you’re stimulating the retina in a different way, which can cause changes in the colors and patterns you see. Each eye and each side of your body might interact slightly differently due to variations in blood flow, nerve stimulation, or even slight asymmetries in your vision.

2. Light and Temperature Sensitivity

The original colors I saw (light green, yellow, pale blue) might be due to natural light filtering through my closed eyelids. The warmth of the sun could have stimulated my optic nerve in a way that creates these hues. When I blocked the light with my hands, my brain adjusted to the darkness, shifting the visual experience.

3. Differences Between Hands

The fact that using my left hand results in deep navy blue strips, while my right hand resulted in deep purple clouds, suggests differences in how each side of your body interacts with your vision. This could be due to:

• Slight differences in temperature or pressure from each hand

• Variations in blood circulation when covering my eyes differently

• A possible interaction between brain hemispheres (the left hand is linked to the right brain, and vice versa)

Is This Normal?

Yes! Many people experience phosphenes when pressing on their eyes or meditating in the dark. Some believe these visual shifts can be related to the brain entering a more relaxed or altered state, similar to the hypnagogic imagery seen before sleep. .. Simply put Phosphenes are the colors you see when you rub your eyes….

“Phosphenes makes eyes a canvas, a rub a brush and we an artist!”
The Bowlegged Blogger