Staring at the sun may sound like an unusual health practice; however, sun gazing benefits are said to be substantial.
Earth Clinic was one of the first sites on the internet to write about this ancient practice in 2002. We learned of the practice while backpacking through Southeast Asia in 1991.
Currently over 25 million websites are exploring the health benefits of sun gazing and debating whether it is a safe or dangerous practice!
When we first learned about sun gazing on Koh Nang Yun, a remote island off of Koh Tao in Thailand (see pic below), we were told by an elderly islander in his 80s that Thais often sun gaze at the setting sun for 30 minutes at a time. The old-timer who taught us the practice said that it improves your eyesight and promotes intense dreaming.
We have gazed at the last few minutes of the setting sun many times since 1991 and can confirm that does indeed help eyesight and greatly enhances dream recall.
Sungazing, a practice also known as sun eating, is a strict regimen of gradually allowing sunlight into your eyes at specific periods of the day. The goal is to look into the sun during periods of the lowest ultraviolet-index, which occur at sunrise and sunset each day. The practice follows specific guidelines to render the most benefits and to limit dangerous exposure.
The practice is also known as the HRM phenomenon, a termed that the practice received after Hira Ratan Manek submitted himself to NASA for testing. The research suggested that Manek actually did possess the seemingly super-human ability of not eating. With regular practice, following a strict regimen over approximately 9 months, many practitioners report losing the need for food and subsisting on energy from the sun.
In essence, sun gazing provides beneficial stimulation to the body through solar energy. The process itself negates the body’s innate need for food and retrains it to run on the energy of the sun. As such, the process helps increase energy, clarity of thinking, and overall health.
NASA research suggested that the process could make an individual maintain a level of health that was far better in comparison to other individuals of the same age.
Sungazing has also been shown as an effective treatment for specific conditions. Melanoma, non-hodgkin’s lymphoma, and several other cancers are said to benefit from the treatment.
Likewise, the increased vitamin D gained from the process is a known healing agent. ¹
Following the specific protocol for sun gazing is crucial to prevent sun damage. The process involves a 9-month practice, which is typically broken into three phases: 0 to 3 months, 3 to 6 months, and 6 to 9 months. After the initial period, you’ll continue walking barefoot for 45 minutes daily for the rest of your life.
To begin, select a safe period of the day (sunrise or sunset) and gaze at the sun for 10 seconds. Continue consecutively adding 10 seconds a day. Be sure to stand barefooted and look straight into the sun. During the first three months, you’ll notice mental depression subside and an increase in the balance of the body and mind.
Continue daily gazing at the sun adding 10 seconds each day through the next phase, and you’ll experience the curing of physical diseases. Progress into the last stage, 6 to 9 months, by gradually increasing the amount of gazing to 44 minutes.
Once you have reached 44 minutes, begin walking barefoot on the earth for 45 minutes daily. Complete this practice for a total of 6 days straight at a period of the day when the soil is warm, and the sun shines on your body. This period is when you’ll realize the full effects of the practice.
To maintain increased energy levels, and to boost the immune system, continue the practice of walking daily.
Sun gazing can be both illuminating and invigorating. It also has the potential for healing the mind-body and spirit connection when done slowly and cautiously.
Continue reading below for yays and nays reviews from Earth Clinic readers who have tried the ancient practice of sun gazing. Some of our readers suggest sun gazing with eyes closed is very effective and considerably less dangerous.
