Sun Gazing: An Art Or An Act?

We all grow up listening to the same precautions our parents give us about sun protection:

“Don’t stay in the sun too long. Wear a hat and sunglasses when you go outside. Always wear sunscreen because you’ll get cancer and never, ever, by all means, stare directly at the sun.”

From a young age, we are taught to believe that we need to shield ourselves from something that we can never fully escape. Something that is so natural and powerful. Our parents teach us as their parents taught them, and we go on to teach it to our own children. Why are we so scared of the very thing that gives our planet life?

The idea of sun gazing may seem shocking to those who have grown up with this mental conditioning. While it is very true that staring directly at the sun in broad daylight can have serious consequences on your eyes, and is not recommended, the practice of sun gazing in a safe manner can have surprising benefits.

Some of these health benefits include an increase in mental health, positivity, mental balance, mental strength, feelings of peacefulness, fear of death eradicated, and pineal gland activation.

This practice has been around since the dawn of time, stemming back to ancient Egyptians, Mayans, Aztecs, Greeks, some Native American tribes, Tibetan Yoga, Tai Chi, and some traditions in Qigong.

While modern society grew up fearing the sun, ancient cultures were very aware of the connection between our mental/physical health and the sun. It was often worshipped as a god because it was seen as a powerful, energetic force that was essential for survival. So, if the sun has rule over the weather in the atmosphere and growing green plant life of the earth, why wouldn’t it affect us too?

How to practice sun gazing:

There is an art to this ancient practice that should be performed respectfully. In order to gain the most physical and emotional health benefits possible, it is recommended to do this:

1. Once per day, one hour after sunrise, or one hour after sunset, stand outside barefoot on the earth.

2. With unfocused eyes, gaze at the sun for 10 seconds.

3. Repeat daily, adding 10 seconds each day.

4. Continue until you reach 44 minutes or 9 months straight of practice.

It’s very simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly (if that wasn’t obvious), so when people hear of the benefits it almost seems too good to be true. The popularity of sungazing grew when Hira Ratan Manek, or HRM, opened up to the world about a “phenomena” he experienced when he became a dedicated sun gazer.

Living off of the energy of the sun every day, he has not had a need to eat any solid food since June 18th, 1995. He underwent “three strict long-term fasts under the control and observation of various scientific and medical teams”.

Results found that gray cells in his brain were regenerating, neurons were active, and pineal gland had expanded and was significantly larger than what is typically expected after reaching age 50. Other medical evidence has also shown that he is much healthier than other persons of his age of 78.

HRM has released several documentaries and books, spoken around the world, and set up Solar Healing Center in Orlando since, which is what sparked the conversation people have been having about sun gazing. He, alongside many others, have proven that one can exist off of the energy of the sun rather than food for extended periods of time.

Also, they have shown that “the method is used for curing all kinds of psychosomatic, mental and physical illnesses as well as increasing memory power and mental strength by using sunlight.  One can get rid of any kind of psychological problems, and develop the confidence to face any problem in life and can overcome any kind of fear including that of death within 3 months after starting to practice this method.  As a result, one will be free from mental disturbances and fear, which will result in a perfect balance of mind. If one continues to apply the proper sun gazing practice for 6 months, they will be free from physical illnesses.  Furthermore, after 9 months, one can eventually win a victory over hunger, which disappears by itself thereafter.

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Despite what we have been conditioned by modern society to believe, we humans are more connected to the skies above than we realize. Sun gazing is an ancient practice that has stunned scientists and even sparked different scientific explanations. While there is more research to be done on the subject and more questions to be asked, we do know one thing: the sun energizes the sky, the land, the seas, and us.