Discovering Sun Gazing
I first read about sun gazing approximately 20 years ago. This intriguing practice was introduced to me through the story of a man from India who traveled the globe advocating for its benefits. His name was Hira Ratan Manek. He claimed that through a disciplined practice of sun gazing, he had not only ceased eating solid food but also gained various mental and physical benefits.
When he visited the United States, it was said that the renowned neuroscientist Andrew Newberg invited him to his lab to conduct a thorough examination and study of his brain to ascertain any significant changes. Unfortunately, I never came across any published results from Dr. Newberg's study.
Sometime later, during a trip back from Serbia, I was at the airport with some leftover Serbian money. To use it up, I purchased a few newspapers. While reading one of these on the plane, which discussed various alternative therapies, I came across an interview with a Serbian man who claimed that sun gazing had enabled him to stop eating solid food, subsisting solely on milk and water.
Inspired by these stories, I decided to try sun gazing myself to see if I could experience the reported benefits. I practiced it for a while, but eventually, my interest waned, and I discontinued the practice.
Fast forward to the present: My wife, Tina, recently had a conversation with a neighbor that reignited my interest in sun gazing. We decided to start going out early in the morning to practice sun gazing at sunrise. Tina was initially very motivated and began waking up earlier than usual, but as the days grew longer and sunrise came earlier, she eventually stopped. However, I continued the practice. I have enjoyed these moments of serenity, connection, and deep significance, gazing at the sunrise over Sedona's red rock mountains.
Is it Safe?
The first question that arises is whether sun gazing is safe. I couldn't find a definitive answer in the literature. Those who practice sun gazing believe it is safe if done properly, specifically within an hour after sunrise or before sunset when UV radiation is minimal. According to Hira Ratan Manek, one should start with just 10 seconds of sun gazing on the first day, gradually increasing the duration by 10 seconds each day. After about nine months, when one reaches 44 minutes of continuous sun gazing, the body and mind undergo profound changes, allegedly enabling an individual to live on solar energy alone.
However, eye specialists generally do not recommend sun gazing due to the eyes' sensitivity to UV radiation. I watched a video where a sun gazer was examined by two ophthalmologists. Both were initially skeptical, but the examination showed that his eyes were normal (2). When I spoke with my eye doctor, he didn't have much information on the practice, but he mentioned that during his residency, he observed severe retinal damage in Native Americans who practiced sun gazing as part of their spiritual traditions. He advised me to wear sunglasses and proceed with extreme caution.
Is it beneficial?
Sunlight's antidepressant effects are well established. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression, affects individuals who are sensitive to reduced sunlight during the winter months. The primary treatment for SAD is bright light therapy, which involves using special lights that mimic the brightness of sunlight. It is recommended that individuals with SAD expose themselves to bright lights in the morning for about 30 minutes.
Many people, including some in my family, experienced winter depression while we lived in North Dakota and Rhode Island. In contrast, living in California and Florida provided a natural remedy for this mood disturbance through increased sunlight exposure.
When I was practicing in North Dakota and Rhode Island, I frequently encountered patients with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). These regions experience long, harsh winters with limited sunlight, which can trigger or exacerbate SAD in many individuals.
In contrast, my current location in Northern Arizona offers a dramatically different climate. This region is known for its abundant sunshine throughout the year, even during winter. Consequently, I see far fewer patients with SAD in my practice now.
Promoting Optimal Sleep Patterns
In our culture, many individuals have unhealthy sleep patterns. I am among them. I go to bed around 10 PM and get up between 3 and 4 AM. My sleep is deep only for the first 2-3 hours, and after that, I struggle to stay asleep.
One often overlooked reason for disturbed sleep is related to a lifestyle that includes spending a lot of time indoors and on the screens. By doing so, we deprive ourselves of natural sunlight, which helps regulate our body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm. This rhythm is crucial for establishing healthy sleep cycles. Sun exposure, including sun gazing early in the morning or at sunset, can improve the quality of sleep, enhance daytime alertness, and help with jet lag (3).
Vitamin D
Sun exposure is a crucial source of vitamin D, as very few foods naturally contain significant amounts of this essential nutrient. Vitamin D is critical for maintaining good health, and adequate sun exposure is a must for ensuring proper blood levels of this vitamin.
Spending time outdoors in sunlight triggers the body's natural production of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are necessary for building and maintaining strong, dense bones. Adequate vitamin D levels have been shown to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
Beyond bone health, vitamin D also impacts the immune system and has a positive influence on the overall sense of well-being and mood.
Sufficient vitamin D status has been correlated with a lower risk of developing various chronic health conditions, such as certain cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease (4).
Spiritual Aspects
Throughout history and prehistory, numerous cultures have worshipped the sun as a vital source of life and nourishment. This devotion was often manifested in the construction of temples and other structures specifically designed to capture and honor sunlight. Among the most renowned of these is Stonehenge in England, a prehistoric monument whose alignment with the solar calendar is remarkable.
In ancient China, the practice of morning sun gazing was introduced and integrated with various healing traditions. In India, the sun holds a significant place in the practice of yoga. The Sun Salutation is a series of dynamic poses embodying gratitude and recognition of its vital energy.
The ancient Egyptians held the sun in high esteem, worshiping it as the deity Ra. The Maya civilization, too, had a deep connection with the sun. They built elaborate pyramids and temples aligned with solar events. Similarly, many Native American traditions have rituals centered around the sun. They performed ceremonies to celebrate the sun’s power and its role in growth, harvest, and the cyclical nature of life.
Esoteric Claims
If you go on the Internet, you'll find numerous unproven claims about the benefits of sun gazing. One frequently mentioned claim involves Hira Ratan Manek, often referred to as the HRM phenomenon, with assertions that NASA confirmed his ability to survive without eating due to his dedicated practice of sun gazing. Allegedly, a team of medical doctors at the University of Pennsylvania observed Hira for 411 days and confirmed that he survived mostly on sunlight, occasionally consuming small amounts of buttermilk or water during that period (5).
Additionally, there is much discussion about awakening the third eye, which is associated with the pineal gland, through sun gazing, reportedly granting access to higher states of consciousness. I label these claims as esoteric because they are not easily understood unless you are deeply involved in the practice, which is challenging to pursue.
Personal Use
What can we conclude from this? Speaking for myself, I will continue with sun gazing, primarily during sunrise, with caution. I briefly open my eyes to look at the sun, then close them and expose myself to the sunrise for a short period, usually 5 to 10 minutes. Following this, I take a one-hour walk in nature, enjoying the brightness of the morning sun. This practice helps me connect with nature, quiet my mind, and find a sense of peace and tranquility. I have summarized my morning routine in this journal entry:
“Rising early, I went out to witness the sunrise, a breathtaking sight that filled me with a sense of rapture. With closed eyes, I perceived it as a radiant white energy enveloping my being, interconnecting everything with its intricate rays of light, like a web design of oneness. Continuing my morning, I proceeded on a hike through nature, feeling a sense of bliss as I immersed myself in the beauty around me. Midway through, I practiced qigong to invigorate my body with the energy of chi. And then I did some earthing. I took off my shoes and socks and stood and walked barefoot on the ground, benefiting from the grounding force of the earth that decreases the positive ions and acidity of my body and in that way enhances its healing power. This experience filled me with vitality and joyfulness.”
I don’t intend to follow Hira Ratan Manek's protocol or stop eating solid food due to sun exposure. However, I hope to enhance my mood, vitality, vitamin D synthesis, and immunity. Any opening of the pineal gland or deeper states of consciousness would be an additional benefit that I don’t expect but would welcome.
3. Timing is everything: Circadian rhythms and their role in the control of sleep, by Seithikurippu R. Pandi-Perumal and al., Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 66: 1-13, 2022
4. Biological Effects of Sunlight, Ultraviolet Radiation, Visible Light, Infrared Radiation and Vitamin D for Health, by Michael F. Holick, Anticancer Research, 36: 1345-1356, 2016
5. NASA Confirms Superhuman Abilities Gained Through Sungazing: The Rest of the Story, by Michael Djanthi, Kindle Edition, 2017
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