“Do not stare directly into the sun!” But wait, what if it is awesome?! So many do’s and don’ts, it can be a challenge to discern an appropriate course of action with all the noise. At the end of the day, you must choose which shoes to wear, what drink you thirst for, and if you think looking into the sun is wise.
The sun holds incredible power; and for those who wish to utilize it, are prudently patient, and are willing to keep an open mind, much is possible. Light is the basic nutrient of all life; how we metabolize and understand this light can help us evolve. Motivation mixed with awareness, focus and relaxation, can in turn enable us to access vast untapped potential.
Those who sungaze have reported a variety of benefits. These include increased energy levels, clearer thinking, boosts positive feeling, improved health (including curing to depression and supporting weight loss), an increase in awareness, greater manifesting power and all around enlightenment. Before I discuss my experience with it, I’d like to go through my method for sungazing:
Method
Okay, sungazing. Yep, gazing directly into the sun. I recommend sunrise, partially because an ancient guru type dude suggesting such, but also because gazing with the morning birds seemed to cause my day to unfold timelessly… It simply felt better. However, some prefer to do it at sunset.
Location is important. You’ll want to be perched high relative to the horizon. Atop a mountain opposed to a valley. This way when the first rays approach, they will be as soft as possible. So, as the sun peaks over the horizon, simply gaze at the whole glowing ball of light for a few seconds. The key is to be relaxed, just like in meditation, shhhhhh, let go of all thoughts and become immersed in the moment. Simply look at it.
Stand softly, at peace, knees bent with your arms at your sides. Feel. Yes, the first few moments may appear blinding and overwhelming, but after 5 or 6 seconds the brilliance dissipates, and you’ll be left looking into a soft ball of light. Almost like staring at an illuminated tennis ball.
Don’t squint. If you feel yourself squinting, relax the muscles in your face and eyes. Let the light in. Wit that being said, if it feels too bright, as if your eyes are burning, do not stare at the sun! (Jheez, didn’t your momma teach you anything?!) Okay, soften the jaw and throat, the more open and relaxed the muscles are in your body the more oxygen and energy is able to flow within your cells, and then more light will be allowed in. Are you aware of your breathing? Is it long, full, slow, nonexistent? Oh, and blink, definitely remember to blink.
Another interesting tidbit; you’ll want to be grounded. We wouldn’t want you to explode now would we?! It’s best to have bare feet upon bare earth. I understand that this is not always possible due to weather, concrete, and attachment to sexy footwear. If your toes are not tickling the dirt, at the very least picture yourself grounded into the planet, like a battery.
Please go slowly. Life is not a race, neither is sungazing. A handful of seconds to a minute on the first go is probably plenty. The eyes are wonderfully sensitive and intricate mechanisms. Be careful. The cones, rods and optic pathways will need some acclimation of such intensity. People have irreversibly injured their vision from this practice, tread lightly.
Additional Notes
If you become comfortable with the concept of sungazing and wish to progress, an increase of gazing time at a constant rate of 10 seconds per day may be sufficient. Small increments of time are important for allowing the vibrations in your body to adjust accordingly. Not to mention allowing for the anatomical structure of the eye to adapt for the intense levels light.
How far should one go? I have heard tell of people looking into the sun for hours, besides being loco, they seem fine. One theory is that it takes roughly 45 minutes for blood to cycle throughout the body. However it may take months prior to a system being able to handle such light and unique vibration. Again, go slowly. Be careful and listen attentively. Remember the magic is in the journey, not the destination. Depending on lifestyle, body, soul and energetic composition (as well as a zillion other qualities to consider), each person will have their own experience. And that is okay, whatever experiences you experience are still yours and yours alone.
There are many approaches and protocols to sungazing, while none of them are wrong, as with all interactions, different intentions may render different results. We are all wired uniquely; therefore it is impossible to predict how each individual will process the sun’s brilliant light. Another disclaimer: you may begin to view the world through a different lens, see with heightened awareness, and not everyone supports change. Just a heads up that there is a chance you may find yourself fielding unwanted projections, alas.
“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer
My Personal Experience
Sungazing changed my life. It expanded my understanding of what is possible, not to mention blowing my mind regarding the depth and intricacies of our being. It also sadly reminded me of the limited western educational model regarding health, history and the human capacity. Although during my wonky and illuminating dance with sungazing, the most significant byproduct that found its way into my daily fabric was meditation. Within my quest for answers the common denominator of people I was making inquiries of, was meditation. Ahhh meditation – the tool for quieting the mind, cultivating awareness, and honing focus. Let’s face it, the traditional methods of meditation aren’t easy. Sitting down in silence, with intense focus and being still is difficult. But as time was taken to dive deeper I began to gain the understanding that I am 100% responsible for how I feel, how I act and how I re-act. I was awakened to the concept that my attitude and state of being is controlled by me. Yes, the choice is mine. Also enlightening was that, the fault was mine, yikes! Mediation is a ton of work, nothing about it is easy, but I assure you if given a chance, it delivers. Indeed, answers are inside. Sungazing provides a perfect meditative experience in a nontraditional way.
It may take some effort swimming through the noise to hear, but the sensations prove incredible. You are responsible for how you feel, how you act, and how you interact. As humans begin to truly stretch the envelope of possibilities, ideas can be expanded upon, and mental boundaries over run. Imagine. Do you find creative expression and playful innocence more intriguing then mindlessly taking a seat at the feeding trough of our current societal trajectory? The more humans that choose to really live, the more delightful and curious I find our planet to be. Taking responsibility of one’s own being may be the first step. Without a doubt playing with the sun’s energy can be fun, but digging into one’s soul may prove far more rewarding.
I write with a fundamental belief that anything is possible. I am also convinced that our bodies are eternally brilliant. The physical organisms that host us are constantly trying to heal themselves and express their true nature; all in an attempt to find balance in an unbalanced world. Our bodies that we lug around each and every day are the perfect teachers. They may be our greatest gift, study them. Without fail, like a mirror, our internal being is reflected in our every hair, freckle, ache, pain and experience. Our bodies speak the truth of who we are and how we are living. But this is only relevant if we listen. The only way to begin is if you can hear the gramophone of you. The microscope, filter, and or mirror eventually will have to be adjusted so you become aware of you. Really we have little else to do during our brief tenure upon our fair planet, might as well dig in and take a look.
Yes, direct sunlight upon our blood through the retina may cause photosynthesis, thus enabling a dramatic increase in the oxygen carrying capacity of our blood, and in turn enhance the health of our physiology. However, it is the subtle energy that drives our choices, intentions, and interactions that is the map of our trajectory, the varying emotions that lead our lives. This daily state of being is our blueprint, our deepest truth. This is static, patterns repeating patterns. But there is more… Through awareness, by feeling, going through, and dissolving different emotions that block our full light from expressing itself, we host the potential to evolve our systems, and thus expand our experiences toward new and previously unfathomable possibilities. Can you feel the way you engage with others? Such awareness may just be the beginning. Each day that I become more aware of how I feel, and why I feel what I feel, the richness of my life increases. Life does not necessarily become easier, but it certainly becomes more interesting. Going against the grain is never easy, although those who swim in the main stream risk drowning. Stand up, be strong, trust yourself, listen to your heart, and dance like no one is watching!
“Only those willing to risk going too far will ever find out just how far they can go.” – T.S. Eliot.
For more information about the practice of sungazing please check out my book by clicking HERE. Also, if you enjoyed this post, feel free to share it with your friends and family. After all, sharing is caring!
