1. A system for stimulating neural tissue of a living subject, comprising: a. an energy source capable of generating optical energy; b. a connector having a first end and a second end capable of transmitting optical energy, wherein the first end of the connector is coupled to the energy source; and c. a probe operably coupled to the second end of the connector and having an end portion for delivering optical energy to a target neural tissue, wherein when the probe delivers optical energy to the target neural tissue through the end portion, the end portion is positioned away from the target neural tissue such that there is a distance between the end portion and the target neural tissue.