I discovered something beyond the raw food diet!

[Victor Vikingr]

Well, I guess that with your healthy lifestyle, you'll have plenty of time to sungaze later. You always seem to go only one step at a time, not going straight from vegetarian to raw foodist for example, which is interesting. This way, you might test all healthy lifestyles there are, perhaps even write a book about that too.

[IsaachElric]

this just seems to good to be true.

i'm probably going to try it though

[2ko]

Unfortunatly I have been missing a lot of solar gazing days lately because of clouds and procrastinating until the sun is below the trees. I am making solar gazing my first prioriety now and when i get my drivers license hopefully i will be able to catch the sun set if i miss doing my gazing earlier.

I'm also having some concerns about solar gazing. Hira spoke about how he didn't have dreams anymore after he completed the process. Does that mean i can't have a lucid dream either? I have lucid dreamed before and would very much like to my whole life. It dosen't seem right that something good would go away while all these other benefits are pouring into my life. I have been trying to learn lucid dreaming so maybe if i master it now i can keep it with me after the process of solar gazing. I believe i can keep lucid dreaming, i will find a way somehow.

Another concern is that all of my hunger will go away. I don't think the excuse "I'm just not hungry right now" is going to be suitable for my whole life. I thought if I ever became a raw foodist my parents would think I'm crazy, but becoming a . . . . . non-foodist! No one would even believe me if I told them about solar gazing. I still plan on doing the full process which includes being a noneater. I am not going to sabotoge benefits just to keep people happy by being a good normal person. I am doing this 100% and I'm letting everybody think what they want to think.

[ellie]

I reckon it sounds great! You got to do what you really believe, don't let other human beings dictate how you run your life. I reckon it would be an interesting journey for sure.

[Victor Vikingr]

I hope I won't lose my dreams! If so, I'll miss lucid dreaming too, but the benefits of sungazing seem to weigh up for it.

As for the non-eater part, I think that's only positive. Sure, people will think you're crazy, but they'll surely notice that you don't eat and feel well at the same time, right?

[JoeGoldfarb]

apparently i have been sun gazing for five years and didnt even know it! at least once a week i go out into the desert to catch the sunset. i watch it, i look at it, i embrace it. and it makes me feel alive inside. i attributed my mood swing as caused from the color shifts in the sky and mountains just as a color change in a person cheeks causes a mood swing in the viewer. lately, i have found that doing situps at sunset creates an even greater feeling of connectedness, oneness, calmness. moverover, it makes me feel empowered both in my stomach and in my soul i really dont know why.

when i was 13 or so i found an old raja yoga book in my mothers bookshelf. it suggested to mediate facing the sun at sunrise and set. i tried that for a few weeks but found playing with my friends at sunset more enjoyable.

now that i am back to catching the sunsets at least once per week it will break my heart to move away from this clear-sky desert where the sunsets are breathtaking. i have really grown attached to embracing the sunset. it makes me feel good inside.

[Trezker]

I have had unfortunate weather conditions lately and my usual luck is that I'm heading for winter when I find out about solar gazing...

I hope to start enjoying sunrises and sunsets next summer. Even if it turns out useless, it's something I have never bothered with before. Sure I've seen some now and then but I never thought much about it... Clouds and stars have fascinated me, but never a sunset, there's nothing spectacular about that around here, they're pretty dull.

[JoeGoldfarb]

Originally Posted by Trezker

and stars have fascinated me, but never a sunset, there's nothing spectacular about that around here, they're pretty dull.

where do you live?
i felt the same growing up in new york, but after moving to the desert my perception of sunsets and rises change dramatically. recently as a vacation i visited my parents who live on a hill over looking a lake a valleys in the adirondacks in new york state. my first time there i realized they have amazing and beautiful sunsets in shades of blue. so, has my view of sunsets in new york changed? am i seeing what has always been there but i was previously blind to? or, is my parents location just special and unique?

here, i just wrote a blog about my experience with sungazing!

[Victor Vikingr]

Originally Posted by Trezker

I have had unfortunate weather conditions lately and my usual luck is that I'm heading for winter when I find out about solar gazing...

I'd say it's better to gaze for the shortest periods during the winter, then have the longest periods during summer.

[2ko]

How many people are trying this and how far along are you? Or are you thinking about tring it?

I am currently at day 19 but I should be about four to six days ahead because I have missed some days due to clouds or mistakes

[Trezker]

Originally Posted by JoeGoldfarb

where do you live?
i felt the same growing up in new york, but after moving to the desert my perception of sunsets and rises change dramatically. recently as a vacation i visited my parents who live on a hill over looking a lake a valleys in the adirondacks in new york state. my first time there i realized they have amazing and beautiful sunsets in shades of blue. so, has my view of sunsets in new york changed? am i seeing what has always been there but i was previously blind to? or, is my parents location just special and unique?

here, i just wrote a blog about my experience with sungazing!

I'm surrounded by forest and hills that aren't high enough for me to get above the trees. I can't see far enough to get a real horizon. Though if I wasn't so lazy I probably could go to some place where it's a little better.

I'm guessing pollution is a factor in ruining New Yorks sunsets. But standing on the roof of a tall building should give you a spectacular view...

Your parents location is special and unique yes. Just like any other place with a special and unique sunset. I think a huge part of the earth has good sunsets. But deep in forests and cities you can't expect a clear view. The play of light and shadow between trees at sunset is nice, but it's tricky to sungaze in that environment...

[btwendel]

Originally Posted by 2ko

Many of you problably read Steve's blog You Know You are a Raw Foodist When . . . . One thing that confused me was "… you want to try solar gazing soon." I looked it up and solar gazing is this crazy process where basicly you look at the sun and over time your mind and body are healed to perfection and eventually solar gazing replaces food. you literaly don't have to eat . A man claims he has experienced all these benefits.

Energy is all around us so why should you need to look at the sun?
I have heard about people living on energy alone but they did not do any sun gazing.

Originally Posted by 2ko

Anyway its been about 15 days since started and i am a full believer in solar gazing now. I did not think i would even notice any rewards until at least a month but i am shocked at how much my life has improved after 15 days of solar gazing. The benefits are similar to Steve's as he described going raw. I feel healthier, more energy, definitley smarter and more focused ....

Some of those benefits comes from the fact that your sun gazing means you do mindfulness, being there and then. In other words, I think you would get the same benefits on a cloudy day as long as you do your practice.

[Monique7nuns]

Despite all my protesting over Steve's juice feast over the past few days, I feel pretty open to the possibility. I'm not quite sure what has changed. Although I am a bit skeptical about the end of the process, not eating anything... I like the first few months.

Sounds like it'd be good to start in the summer.. what a soothing and relaxing way to start the day. Perhaps by Fall and Winter those who have poor circulation (like me) would be getting more blood to their feet. I can imagine my toes would be freezing. burrrrrr

[Permafrost]

I recall vaguely reading somewhere that it should be done barefoot, and I live up north where it's in the minus signs now. How do you sungaze barefoot in winter? Do you?

[Andrew Brunelle]

Originally Posted by Permafrost

I recall vaguely reading somewhere that it should be done barefoot, and I live up north where it's in the minus signs now. How do you sungaze barefoot in winter? Do you?

I certainly wouldn't risk getting frostbite. Get used to walking around barefoot all over the place and eventually you'll adapt to be able to do it.

Society for Barefoot Living Home Page

You may want to move down south for the three months that it is coldest. The sun is one of our greatest assets and to use to effectively during the winter months, it helps to be in a more tropical atmosphere. This is probably why birds fly south for the winter. That and the threat of freezing to death.

[2ko]

Originally Posted by Trezker

I'm surrounded by forest and hills that aren't high enough for me to get above the trees. I can't see far enough to get a real horizon. Though if I wasn't so lazy I probably could go to some place where it's a little better.

Trezker, I had the same problem of not being able to see the sunset or rise. But I learned how to get around that on one of the videos of Hira Ratan Manaka(I made a link to that video in an earlier reply). He said that you can just gaze the reflection of the sun from water. It doesn't even have to be like a lake or anything.

If you live in a big city or a vally or where it is cold or any other possible obstacle I have good news for you. In my only 20 days experiece I have found solar gazing to be extremely lenient, so don't fret about small details. Solar gazing seems to be working for me even though I'm breaking lots of "rules"

-I solar gaze when it isn't sunset or sunrise
-I solar gaze the reflection out of and old pie pan
-I don't do it barefoot
-I do it on my roof and not on natural gruond
-I don't stand
-I miss days occasionally

[Trezker]

About the barefoot thing. As I understood it that is separate from the gazing so you don't have to gaze and feel the earth at the same time...

[babuji]

To 2KO and everyone else.

For some reason I found this post quite inspiring. I have been following Solar Gazing for more than a year now, but this post finally convinced me (put me over the edge ) to try it.

I did my first day today, at the beach which is conveniently only 15 minutes away. And wow.. was the sand cold.. .but nevertheless, it wasn't so bad. I just purchased a kitchen timer off of ebay to be more precise with my gazing times.

Nevertheless, do keep us all posted on your results/breakthroughs. I will do the same periodically.

Here's a great site for getting information on sunrise/sunset times in your local area: Sunrise, Sunset Calendars and Local Time

Cheers!

[Victor Vikingr]

Originally Posted by 2ko

-I solar gaze when it isn't sunset or sunrise
-I solar gaze the reflection out of and old pie pan
-I don't do it barefoot
-I do it on my roof and not on natural gruond
-I don't stand
-I miss days occasionally

Wow! Thanks to these tips, I won't have to skip as many days!

[kismet]

I want to try this but I'm skeptical of the safety of it. Even at sunrise or sunset, even though the sun is less intense, it is still warned to not look directly at it. Since it is less intense, perhaps the damage is slower to occur and builds up over a longer period of time then looking at the sun during other hours of the day. The lens of our eyes intensifies and magnifies the heat and energy of the sun and it can burn the retina cells. Like using a magnifying glass to burn something. SciZone - Ontario Science Centre: How to look at the Sun - safely!

I don't understand why he say to stop doing it completely after 9 months but that then the appetite would be almost gone. If you stop doing it won't the appetite come back? Also as he says that science prohibits further gazing due to eye care, that is suggestive that damage has already been building up and you don't want to do it any further so you don't cause the worst damage.

"Dr. Michael Goldbaum, a retina specialist at UC San Diego's Shiley Eye Center, said that while it's true the sun's rays are not as harmful in early morning and late afternoon, there is still a danger in staring at the sun during those hours.

Over the long term, Goldbaum said, sun gazers are at risk of solar maculopathy, an irreversible vision impairment affecting a part of the retina called the macula, which is the sensitive area responsible for sharp central vision."

SignOnSanDiego.com > News > Features -- Staring helps them see the light, sun gazers say

[Rawvolta]

Hi, all sun warriors!

I wouldn't say " something beyond raw food diet ", simply because the two of these go hand in hand. Also one really feels all the goodies of both after some time ( to compare them ;-))

A bit from me : I was a part of retreat with David Wolfe in Eden Hot Springs.
We were sungazing every day and doing some intuitive tai-chi.

What was the most incredible - was UPSIDE DOWN SUN GAZING.

Check my video of David Wolfe talking about sungazing HERE.

And I am watching the sun horizontally HERE!

[2ko]

I have new improvements

I am less addicted to food. I feel more like I am a conscious person intelligently enjoying my life and growing. Rather than being mindlessly controlled by instincts, cravings, and addictions.

I again think like I am getting smarter every day (at a much faster rate than I normally would) I feel kind of like I am on my ADD medicine but without the horrible side effects. things in school are vastly easier to understand but getting myself to do the work is still a whole other issue.

[VacMan]

Maybe I'm not getting this but...

How does directly staring at the sun do anything different than having it hit your skin, or having it absorb in your peripheral vision over time?

Sometimes I feel like all this type of talk is placebo effect at its finest.

I bet if I told someone (and did it very seriously) that hanging upside down for 30 minutes a day above a steam machine, surrounded by incense, would bring you closer to enlightenment.

And if you did it, it would heal all your emotional issues. And you'd lose weight, and you'd heal your physical ailments.

And then I got a bunch of people to believe me, or at least go along with me...

Then it seems people would go along with that plan.

Belief creates reality.

[Ron Stoppable]

Originally Posted by Victor Vikingr

You [Steve] always seem to go only one step at a time, not going straight from vegetarian to raw foodist for example, which is interesting. This way, you might test all healthy lifestyles there are, perhaps even write a book about that too.

From the Rawkathon thread:

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

One thing that's amazing about Matt [Monarch] is that he went from the SAD diet to 100% raw overnight and never looked back. He just radiates health and happiness.

I am currently about 90%vegan/10%vegetarian, but am more intrigued by going raw or juice feasting than I am about going 100% vegan first.

Q: What are the side effects, beside stronger withdrawal symptoms, of skipping one or more stages of omnivore-vegetarian-vegan-raw-juice-solar?

[jeff3]

I've heard that Rainbow Stew goes really well with sungazing, I just can't seem to actually reach the end of a rainbow.

[2ko]

Originally Posted by Ron Stoppable

From the Rawkathon thread:

Q: What are the side effects, beside stronger withdrawal symptoms, of skipping one or more stages of omnivore-vegetarian-vegan-raw-juice-solar?

I am going straight from S.A.D. diet to solar gazing. Basically the biggest jump possible. I save the most time and effort this way. So far there have been no negative side effects, but probably because I am not in the third chunk of solar gazing where I shift off of food. I don't know of any information on this so I am curious to see if I do have a withdrawal period. So I could be in for the most intense withdrawal experience ever since it is the biggest jump or there may not be one since no one has ever spoke of what seems to be an important issue.

What did you mean by rainbow stew? I googled it and it was a country music band.

[Ron Stoppable]

Originally Posted by 2ko

I am going straight from S.A.D. diet to solar gazing. Basically the biggest jump possible. I save the most time and effort this way. So far there have been no negative side effects, but probably because I am not in the third chunk of solar gazing where I shift off of food. I don't know of any information on this so I am curious to see if I do have a withdrawal period. So I could be in for the most intense withdrawal experience ever since it is the biggest jump or there may not be one since no one has ever spoke of what seems to be an important issue.

What did you mean by rainbow stew? I googled it and it was a country music band.

I mean cold turkey; ala Matt Monarch from omni to raw.

[Victor Vikingr]

I'm up in 2 min 30 sec now. How are you coming along, 2ko?

[VacMan]

Dont' wanna be a buzzkill, but I found this quote from Wikipidia interesting.

"2a. Even if a human could somehow harness energy from the sun with the eyes and convert it into necessary food energy and nutrients, the eyes provide a tiny surface area, particularly compared to that of a green plant’s leaves. Further, humans require a far greater amount of energy for sustenance than plants. Sungazing would likely have to be tens or hundreds of times as efficient as photosynthesis in plants to produce enough energy to keep a human being even minimally functional."

Sungazing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[2ko]

Im at 4 min. 20 sec. Which is day 26. The clouds have been hindering my progress a lot lately. I had to miss several days

New improvements though! In rock climbing (my favorite thing to do) I am improving rapidly. I used to be able to do over 20 pull ups and I am going towards passing that record fast.

Also, i have written proof solar gazing works now. I did a cognitive skills improvement program for ADD two years ago. They test your skills such as memory, processing speed, and logic at three times. Before the program, after, and one year after that. The last test is to make sure your skills didn't go down over a year of not training. After getting the results none of my skills declined and one of them improved. My memory shot up from the 37th percentile to the 85th. There is no other reasonable explanation for this freakish jump other than solar gazing (if you want to call solar gazing reasonable)

My self discipline also took an amazing jump today that will hopefully stick. I taught myself about two weeks of material in honors chemistry that I have been confused and dreading upon.

I wonder how much solar gazing is helping. All these accomplishments I have always wanted to do but I was just never successful with them. Every factor that could have helped me achieve these things has stayed constant and the only manipulated variable is solar gazing. I previously had many of the right things in place to help me to success but solar gazing is the push I now have that gives me so much of an edge over my previous capabilities. Years of effort can be cut out of your path to your goals. I always wanted to pursue the epic journey though the diets to raw and juicing and beyond, but apparently I will surpass that in less than a year.