In today’s world, we are surrounded by light, yet most of it is far from the nourishing, life-giving sunlight our ancestors thrived under. Artificial light from LED bulbs and screens lacks critical components of the light spectrum—particularly infrared and ultraviolet (UV) rays—that are essential for cellular health and human well-being. These missing elements, coupled with constant exposure to harmful blue light and the nearly invisible flicker of LEDs, significantly impact our bodies, minds, and spiritual balance, affecting sleep cycles, hormone regulation, and even cellular health.

My spiritual journey with sunlight began in a seemingly ordinary moment in my parents’ garden, a childhood memory that would shape my connection to the sun and its mysteries. This encounter laid the foundation for a lifelong exploration of sunlight’s physical and spiritual gifts, revealing how its rays can illuminate not only our surroundings but also the deeper parts of our consciousness.

The First Touch of the Sun: A Childhood Memory

As a young child, I was a tiny explorer captivated by the world around me. In my parents’ backyard, I crawled through the tall grass, enchanted by every pebble, twig, and wandering ant. Yet it was when I looked up that something profound occurred: an ancient oak tree towered above, filtering sunlight through its branches in cascading beams of deep oranges and whites. I felt an indescribable warmth on my skin and a resonance deep within. Though I couldn’t fully grasp it at the time, I knew I was connected to something greater—something life-giving and eternal. This moment became my first encounter with the sun’s divine energy, a force that would call me back throughout my life.

Sun-Gazing: A Path to Inner and Outer Illumination

Years later, I felt drawn to the sun once more, this time with renewed purpose. I began practicing sun-gazing at dawn, focusing on the first light of the day. I would raise my left hand as though to hold the sun, place my right hand on my chest, and say, “I am one with the sun.” Each morning, I felt its light penetrate my body, filling me with warmth, vitality, and a sense of peace. This simple yet profound ritual became my daily connection to the sun’s radiant energy, bridging the physical and spiritual.

The spiritual practice of sun-gazing resonates with ancient wisdom. In the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus reminds us, “If your leaders say to you, ‘Look, the kingdom is in the sky,’ then the birds will get there before you… Rather, the kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves… you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living Father” (Thomas, Saying 3). Sun-gazing opened my eyes to the light that exists within and around us, helping me understand that the kingdom of light is indeed accessible here and now.

The Benefits of Sun-Gazing: Science Meets Spirit

For spiritual seekers, sun-gazing offers a unique way to connect with universal energy, moving beyond the physical world into a realm of peace and interconnectedness. Regular sun-gazing has been said to elevate mood, increase energy, and promote mental clarity. This practice is also thought to activate the pineal gland, which regulates sleep cycles and produces melatonin, a hormone essential for restful sleep and nighttime cellular repair. Some believe sun-gazing awakens dormant aspects of consciousness, opening pathways to heightened awareness and spiritual growth.

Scientific research supports sunlight’s many benefits for mental and physical health. Controlled exposure to sunlight stimulates serotonin, the “happiness hormone,” lifting our mood and fostering a sense of well-being. Sunlight exposure in the morning can reinforce circadian rhythms, helping regulate our sleep-wake cycles—showing how intrinsically linked our bodies are to natural light.

Best Practices for Safe and Effective Sun-Gazing

Sun-gazing is simple yet requires care to ensure safe practice. Here are some guidelines for harnessing the sun’s energy responsibly:

  • Begin at Sunrise or Sunset: Sun-gazing is safest during the first hour after sunrise or the last hour before sunset when UV levels are low, and the sun’s rays are gentle on the eyes.
  • Start Slowly: Begin with just a few seconds, gradually increasing the time each day. Start with 10 seconds on the first day, adding another 10 seconds daily as your eyes adjust.
  • Grounding: If possible, stand barefoot on natural ground like grass or soil, which enhances grounding, allowing your body to connect with the earth’s energy.
  • Stay Mindful: Focus on breathing and bodily sensations, maintaining a relaxed gaze. Avoid midday sun, as UV exposure is at its highest.
  • Consistency: Practicing sun-gazing daily can amplify its physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.

Sun-Gazing and Inner Illumination: The Light Within

As my sun-gazing practice deepened, I noticed a growing sense of inner light—a conscious illumination that transcended the physical. This experience mirrors Jesus’s words in the Gospel of John: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). For me, the sun’s light became a symbol of the divine light within us all—a reminder of the inner presence that guides, nurtures, and connects us to something greater.

In Gnostic teachings, Jesus alludes to the light that unites every aspect of our being. In the Gospel of Philip, it is written: “If the woman had not separated from the man, she would not die with the man. His separation became the beginning of death. Therefore Christ came to repair the separation, that he might reunite the two” (Philip, Saying 64). For me, sun-gazing became a symbolic act of reuniting all aspects of myself—the masculine and feminine, the physical and spiritual—into a single, harmonious state.

The Missing Light: Infrared and UV for Cellular Health

Unlike natural sunlight, LED lights emit little to no infrared or UV light. Infrared light is essential for cellular repair and regeneration, supporting mitochondrial function and energy production. Natural sunlight, rich in infrared wavelengths, penetrates deeply into our cells, stimulating healing processes that LED lights simply cannot. Research has shown that red and infrared light therapy enhances wound healing, reduces inflammation, and boosts skin health by stimulating collagen production. Without regular exposure to these wavelengths, we miss out on a vital regenerative force, leading to cellular strain and potential damage over time.

UV light, while often approached cautiously, is equally important. It enables the body to synthesize vitamin D, crucial for immune health, bone strength, and overall resilience. Lack of UV exposure has led to a rise in vitamin D deficiencies, which weaken immune systems and increase susceptibility to chronic diseases.

Flickering LED Lights and Blue Light Overload: Impact on Brain and Sleep

LED lights have another hidden characteristic: rapid flickering. While imperceptible to the naked eye, this flicker places a constant strain on the brain, contributing to eye strain, headaches, and migraines. Natural light is steady, but this invisible LED flicker disrupts brain waves and increases stress.

Blue light from screens—whether from phones, computers, or televisions—further impacts our well-being. High blue light exposure interferes with the pituitary gland and suppresses melatonin production, disrupting sleep patterns. Exposure to artificial blue light into the evening confuses the body’s natural rhythm, making restful sleep elusive and impacting the pituitary gland, which regulates hormones that control growth, metabolism, and stress.

A Child’s Memory of Light: Etheric Energies and Elementals

Even as a child, I sensed a deeper, almost mystical quality to sunlight. Gazing at the sky, I saw it not just as physical light but as an ocean of etheric energy—a dance of unseen forces. I sensed tiny, etheric beings in the garden, elementals working harmoniously with sunlight to nurture plant life. The plants seemed to reach up towards the sun with gratitude, drawing in vitality from this cosmic energy. This experience taught me that sunlight is not only a source of warmth but a life-giving force that nourishes every living thing.

Healing Power of Sunlight in Modern Times

Reconnecting with sunlight in our lives can be transformative for both physical and mental health. Simple practices like early morning sunlight exposure or mindful sunbathing can restore the balance of missing light frequencies. Morning sunlight can regulate circadian rhythms, aid in vitamin D synthesis, and boost serotonin levels, proving that our bodies are biologically attuned to natural light cycles.

Modern research validates these ancient practices. Sunlight exposure has been shown to improve sleep quality, mood, and overall vitality by reinforcing our internal clocks and supporting hormonal balance. The use of red and infrared light therapy echoes the regenerative power of sunlight, treating conditions from depression to physical recovery.

Reclaiming Natural Light in an Artificial World

We can make conscious efforts to reintroduce natural light into our lives and minimize artificial exposure. Reducing evening screen time, using blue light filters, or choosing light sources that mimic the full spectrum can help restore our bodies’ natural rhythms. Regular exposure to natural light, especially in the morning, resets our internal clocks, elevates energy, and harmonizes us with the world around us.

In essence, our well-being—both spiritual and physical—depends on our connection to natural light. Jesus’s words, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12), serve as a reminder of our radiant connection with creation.

Embracing the Sun’s Radiance for Health and Spirit

Just as plants turn to the sun, drawing in its life-sustaining energy, so are we nourished by this divine force. By embracing the sun’s radiant touch, we find balance in a world increasingly detached from natural rhythms. Through sunlight, we reconnect with the etheric and physical benefits that sustain all life—unlocking health, harmony, and a deeper connection to the divine light within us.