Making a Date with the Sunrise
Master Chunyi Lin
The energy of the sunrise is amazing. It can be so healing and it can help take your energy to a much higher level. As often as you can, and weather permitting, of course, I encourage you to make a date with the sunrise.
Find a spot where you can get a good view of the sunrise. Unless your doctor has advised you otherwise this is a time when you can look directly into the sun, but not for long.
Look at the sunrise. See how extraordinary it is. It only takes a few seconds for you to capture that image. You can stare at the sunrise for no more then 5 seconds. Then, gently close your eyes for 3 to 5 minutes, holding the image of the sunrise, it’s beauty, it’s power, it’s amazing energy, in your mind.
- With your eyes gently closed continue to face the sunrise, breath slowly, gently, deeply, comfortably and meditate on its energy.
- After a few minutes you can open your eyes again and stare at the sunrise for 3 to 5 seconds. Then, gently close your eyes again for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Feel the energy of the sunrise flowing through you.
- You can continue to repeat in this way for as long as you can or for as long as the sunrise lasts.
Sunrise is a great time to do the Sun Meditation or the Small Universe meditation or your Active Exercises, if you want to vary your routine.
Just meditating on the sunrise while feeling its energy is good enough. I believe you will find the experience amazing.
I encourage you to make a date with the sunrise as often as you can. If that’s everyday, that is wonderful. If that is once a week, or once a month, that is wonderful too. Whatever you can do will be good.
Welcoming In the Sun to Grow
The sun’s energy is so powerful and so healing, especially in spring after the long, dormant period of winter.
Every day millions of people in China gather together to practice Qigong outdoors in the early morning or late evening before sunset. The fresh air and sunshine are so beneficial. However, you won’t see them practicing during the middle part of the day because the sun’s energy is just too intense.
The sun’s energy is good but too much of a good thing is not good.
In the springtime, in the morning between sunrise and 8 o’clock is when the sun’s energy is most nurturing so that is the best time to get out in the sun. Spend a half hour or an hour, even just ten minutes is great.
Unless your eyes are too sensitive for the light, it is good to go without sunglasses in the early morning. The sun’s energy is “fire” energy and too intense for the eyes throughout most of the day, but not in the early morning. This is the one time of day when the sun’s energy can be beneficial to your eyes. However, you should not stare directly into the sun.
If you can’t get out in the early morning the next best time to be in the sun is the early evening between approximately 6 pm and sunset, as long as the sun’s heat is not too intense.
As much as possible you want to stay out of the sun, certainly for any long periods of time between, 8 or 9 am and 5 or 6 pm. The sun’s energy can be so intense during the core of the day it can drain your energy. If you do have to be out in the sun during those times be sure to take precautions – cover your skin, wear a hat, and sunglasses. Drink plenty of fluids.
And, of course, increasing your practice of qigong – but not outdoors during those times – will help you regain your energy balance and enhance your energy flow. So, spend some time in the sun this spring – especially in the morning – that’s when the sun is most beneficial. Just don’t overdo. Finding balance and harmony is always best.*
* Please Note: There are some people for whom any exposure to the sun is not good. If you have been advised by your doctor to avoid exposure to the sun then, please, follow your doctor’s advice.