Do you often find yourself gazing at the sun at odd hours of the day? Do you feel a strange yet powerful vibe reflecting through the sun? Well, you are already walking on a spiritual path without conscious thought. Here’s what it is called: Sun Gazing, also called as “Sungazing“. History has proven unbelievable sun gazing benefits on your mind, body, and spirit.
Before we follow ahead in detail, let’s understand the basic concept.
What is Sun Gazing?
SUMMARY
Sun gazing or Sungazing is exactly what it says: SUN – GAZING. That is, gazing at the sun. The activity to look at the sun in the eye mostly during sunrise or sunset to soak in the energy.
The universe is full of energy. Some greater than the others. Some seen from the naked eye, some only felt. It’s on you to acknowledge and adopt it.
The sun rises every day, gleaming and shining with positivity. In fact, it is one of the most powerful natural resources available to all of us. Still, there are so many of us who are not aware of this wondrous activity called sun gazing and the innumerable health benefits that it has to offer. Today, this article will tell you all that you need to know about the benefits of sungazing.
At the first call, the word sun gazing appears strange. Well, because who spends a part of their day staring at the sun and letting harmful UV rays penetrate your body!
So, here’s a reality check: if done at the right hours of the days, (discussed below) sun gazing does no harm and can instead improve your eyesight incredibly.
Sun Gazing is an ancient spiritual practice that has emerged in modern times considering its benefits on physical and spiritual levels.
What is History behind Sun Gazing?
SUMMARY
Hira Ratan Manek, popularly known as HRM, an Indian guru practiced sun gazing so intensely that he claims to have survived solely on sunlight and water for eight long years. Even studies have advocated it.
The history of sun gazing or sungazing benefits goes as long as the existence of the human population. Indian civilization worships the sun as lord ‘Surya’ who was responsible for health and life. From the Egyptians to Aztecs, and even Tibetans, everyone has recognized Sun as the divine source of energy since time immemorial.
However, in modern times, this practice was hidden in plain sight until Hira Ratan Manek decided to manifest it in 1962. He studied the sun gazing benefits for thirty long years, in an attempt to understand why was it so famous in ancient history across all civilizations.
Once he was convinced of the sun gazing benefits, he experimented this wonder on his own self for three long years and proved the world with the ‘unbelievable’ results. So much so that this practice of gazing at the sun became famous by his name, that is, HRM sun gazing.
Here’s a glimpse of what was so unbelievable about it: Since 1995, he survived for eight long years without food! Yes, you heard that right, as claimed by him, he has been “eating” a diet of solar energy and water all this while.
How Do You Know Sun Gazing is True?
Various studies have proven it. He underwent a 130-day observation by the medical team of Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Pennsylvania in 2002 which proved that the gray cells in her HRM’s brain are regenerating.
The study further generated 700 photographs in this observation period where the neurons in his brain were actively growing and not dying.
What’s The Science Behind Sun Gazing?
The effects of sungazing or the force of the sun are mostly observed on the pineal gland or the 3rd eye, as it is known in the common language. This was back when people were not aware of functioning in the body.
The pineal gland along with the pituitary gland controls the sleep/wake cycle and is also known as master glands. They produce two critical hormones for the body: melatonin and serotonin. While Serotonin is produced during the daytime and is often referred to as the “happy hormone”, Melatonin is produced in the dark hours also known as “hormone of darkness”.
Scientists say that Melatonin converts to DMT or dimethyltryptamine which is responsible for dreams and other astral travels in our body. Apart from that, the production of Melatonin also makes us drowsy.
Now, the sun gazing and the solar power that reverberates from it decalcify the pineal gland which is one of the primary benefits of Sungazing.
How Does this Sun Gazing Science Relate to History?
The studies that were conducted on the Indian guru and vivid sun gazer, Hira Ratan Manek reveal that his pineal gland was growing instead of shrinking. The average size of the pineal gland in humans is 6*6 mm which tends to reduce further especially after puberty. While in HRM, it was observed that the size has increased to 8*11 mm.
The size reported suggested an obvious growth and restoration in the pineal gland that allowed him to survive without food for such long periods.
Apart from HRM, Dr. Mitchell Gibson was another well-renowned sun gazer who accredited the sun for his evolution. He also went ahead to teach his followers about this divine practice and educate the world about its health benefits
Now, that the sun gazing benefits are backed by science and history, both – let’s find out what are these benefits.
15 Unbelievable Sun Gazing Benefits
Sungazing, also known as sun eating, has scientifically proven health benefits. Let’s quickly walk through them:
1. Promotes the health of your reproductive system since it supplies the desired level of Vitamin D to the body.
2. Increases the size of the Pineal gland (also known as master gland) defying the usual principle. The human body statute says the Pineal gland reduces in size as you age.
3. Boosts production of Melatonin and Serotonin, governing the entire hormonal system of the body.
4. Multiplies your energy levels, mainly because of the secretion of the hormones as mentioned above.
5. Reduces your appetite thus enabling weight loss. This is backed by the statements made by modern-day sungazers who reported that they have lost excessive weight since and their desire for good has also reduced significantly.
6. Improves eyesight and enables peaceful sleep.
7. The immune system is positively impacted due to prolonged exposure to sunlight.
8. Reduces stress, removes allergies and enables a 360-degree growth of the human body.
9. Heightens the strength of the Hypothalamus tract, the link between the nervous system and the endocrine system via the Pituitary gland.
10. Supplies your brain with several nutrients that were otherwise available in limited quantities.
While these were a few physical health benefits, given below are some spiritual benefits of sun Gazing as stated by HRM, Hira Ratan Marek:
11. Promotes balance in your life which also increases your inner strength.
12. Takes care of your mental health and peacefulness.
13. It also encourages a positive mindset and increases confidence.
14. Advances psychic and intuitive powers that also develop your problem-solving skills in life.
15. The dormant areas of your brain are activated and you are introduced to powers that are inherent in you.
How To Practice Sun Gazing?
According to HRM, sun gazing is a once-in-a-lifetime practice that must be adopted only up to 9 months. Let’s break this cycle into three phases of three months each: 0-3 months, 3-6 months and finally 6-9 months.
1. 0 – 3 Months
What do you need to do?
Stand on the ground barefoot and look at the rising or setting sun for 10 seconds on the first day. As you advance, keep adding 10 seconds every day. This way, by the end of the first of 10 days, you will find yourself sun gazing for about 1 minute and 40 seconds and once you move to the second phase, i.e., by the end of the first three months, the total duration will be about 15 minutes at a stretch.
What will be the impact?
In the initial days, you will feel your energy levels rising and a strange sense of calmness as the stress fades away. If you were low on confidence, you will also notice a significant rise in that with enhanced problem-solving skills and a positive mindset towards life.
2. 3 – 6 Months
What do you need to do?
As time passes and you keep on adding 10 seconds with each day, you will reach about 30 minutes sun gazing every day in this phase.
What will be the impact?
Sungazers and studies reveal that with the continued exposure to the sun for such long periods, your brain is exposed to all the colors of sun which compels the physical diseases to leave your body. Each color is defined by the several vital organs of the body. For instance, Kidney – red, Heart – yellow, Liver – green, etc and when these colors reach them, it satisfies all the deficiencies and enables 360-degree growth of the body.
3. 6 – 9 Months
What do you need to do?
At this phase, the sungazer reaches the safe-peak of sungazing that is 44 minutes. Post this, it can be harmful for your eyes. But keep on walking barefoot for 45 minutes for the next 6 days.
What will be the impact?
The big toe is considered as the reflex of the Pineal gland followed by pituitary, hypothalamus, thalamus, and amygdala for the remaining four toes. When you walk barefoot, your energy gets connected to the energy of the earth along with the sun that stimulates these 5 glands and creates a magnetic field around you. This recharges your brain and improves your overall health.
What to do after this?
If you wish to continue to reap sun – gazing benefits, walk for 45 minutes barefoot under the sun, once in 3-4 days. Nature has some wonders stored for us, only if we know how to make use of it. Plus, they are free of all the side effects, unlike pharma products.
Step-By-Step Procedure on ‘How to Sungaze?’
Sun-gazing might seem a very easy method at first glance, but there are a few inherent tricks that you need to keep in mind. It’s a little more than simply ‘stare at the sun’ and a little less than a Surya Namaskar. Let’s quickly understand it in steps.
Step 1: Stand barefoot in the soil during sunrise or sunset, i.e. not after 30 minutes after sunrise and 30 minutes before sunset.
Step 2: Face the sun and smile. Keep smiling while you enjoy the subtle sun rays of this divine power.
Step 3: Take deep breaths. Feel the fresh air that is filling your abdomen and exhale slowly.
Step 4: Visualize yourself being empowered by the sun, because you are. You will feel a strange connection with the light which is majestic.
How NOT To Do Sun Gazing?
There are a lot of myths that clouds sun gazing benefits, the primary one is that the UV rays so generated damages the eye. While it is STILL a myth, it can instantly turn into reality if you don’t follow the following SAFE-sun gazing tips:
1. Sungazing is effective only when it is practiced in the safe hours which are not beyond 30 minutes after sunrise or 30 minutes before sunset. You can schedule an alarm on your phone at the sunrise or sunset, so that you are aware of the exact timing.
2. Remove all kinds of objections between your eyes and the sun, i.e., contact lenses or glasses. Gaze at the sun with bare eyes and the benefits will intensify.
3. Follow the timings mentioned in the phases above. Start small and don’t go beyond 44 mins or it can damage your eyes’ retina.
4. Never, never look at the sun via a medium. That is, a magnifying glass or telescope, binoculars, SLR camera lens or magnifying eyeglasses. It centers the sunlight to you and which can burn your eyes.
5. If at any time, it hurts your eyes: STOP. You don’t want your eyes to get irritated or damaged in the long run.
Some Important Tips to Intensify the Sun Gazing Experience.
Apart from these safety tips, there are few general tips to make your sun gazing experience the most desirable part of your day:
1. If you are unable to see the sun from the ground, you can also follow this practice from your balcony or roof.
2. If on some days, the sun rays hurt your eyes (even while doing it in the safe hours), you can squint or simply raise your hand to make a triangle from your sun and hold it up against the sun. Now when you soft gaze at the sun, from behind this triangle, it should not hurt your eyes.
3. On the days when it’s cloudy, you can simply gaze at the direction where the sun is behind the clouds.
4. While you are sun gazing, your inner vision is enhanced, so make sure you align yourself with it. Think about your innate desires and positive outcomes.
5. You can also combine it with yogas like Surya Namaskar to experience long term benefits.
Should You Really Practice Sun Gazing?
Of course, YES!
And if you are a sunrise or sunset person, it will be an unforgettable experience for you.
What’s the wait worth for?
Thus, the next time you look at the sun climbing the horizon, keep looking.
Let this divine light fill your soul with power, your mind with peace and your body with health!
But amidst that, don’t forget to follow all the tips mentioned above and take the necessary caution, so that the minute possibility of negative effects vanishes. You can also document your progress so that it further lends help to people who are still wondering whether or not they must adopt this practice.
Sun Gazing Quotes
1. “When I was a teenager, I used to go about barefoot with no hat and sunglasses, just open to the Sun. I used to bless and give thanks for my water then too. I’m returning to those practices. I feel it too, I’m not only doing it. Back then, it was not so conscious, I just did it. I’ve sometimes thought that I knew more at age 15 than I do now.”
― Sienna McQuillen
2. “I Sungazed on the beach with my 13-y.o. Niece. Seems she enjoyed it too, just about 15 secs. I explained it all to her, it takes only 5-10 mins to explain, it’s so simple. Relax and look at the Sun while standing on the ground with bare feet. The rest is more the wherefores.
I did around 6 mins, which will be my max for awhile.
My feet are getting a little better for the barefoot walking.”
― Sienna McQuillen
