Solar Meditations for Depression: The Healing Powers of the Sun

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This article by Alternative Depression Therapy shares with us 3 simple solar meditations that connect us more fully with the Sun to improve our physical, mental, and emotional health.  These solar meditations are easy to perform and help with depression and Seasonal Affective Disorders (SAD).

Solar Meditations for Depression: The Healing Powers of the Sun

Life on Earth, is a Solar Meditation. The Sun is the source of all life on our planet.

We depend on the Sun for our lives. Not one living organism could exist on the Earth without the Sun. The very existence of light both within our consciousness, and within our world, is represented by the presence of the Sun. And yet, we take this amazing phenomenon for granted.

Cultures around the world celebrate the sun, each in their own way. It has been the object of worship, a cause for celebration, a symbol of strength and wisdom and truth. Greek and Arab scholars, and later Europeans such as Descartes and Newton all tried to understand light to gain a better understanding of God. Much of modern science’s origins came from the desire to penetrate the divine nature of light.

Health Benefits of Sunshine

Now modern science has re-established (but not “discovered”) the valuable benefits of sunlight both for physical and mental health.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a of depressive illness brought on by lack of light, typically in the dark winter months. There is not only a psychological effect of the absence of sunlight, but a physiological effect as well. Even for those whose depression is not necessarily related to SAD, sunlight can be very healing and an important factor in recovery.

Caution should always be practiced when exposed to the sun, especially in mid-afternoon and during the warmer seasons. Certain medications can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight, and also the anti-depressant herb St. John’s Wort (if you have fair skin), so it is important to be aware of this beforehand.

You should get at least one hour of daily, direct exposure to the sun every day to alleviate depression. To avoid overexposure it is better to do this in the earlier hours of the day.

Although we are constantly warned of the dangers of looking directly at the sun, this is largely a myth. Common sense will tell you that staring at the sun for long periods of time, or during mid-day hours can be damaging. However there are safe, and deeply therapeutic methods for gazing directly at the sun. Safest times are during the first, and the last hour of daylight (sunrise, and sunset), when the greatest amount of UV light is filtered out.

Solar Meditations

Here is a simple practice:

  • Find a comfortable spot in the sun where you can relax.
  • Close your eyes and breath slowly and mindfully.
  • Look towards the sun, with eyes closed, as you breath, and feel the sunlight permeate your being.
  • Imagine your body dissolving in light.
  • Relax and breathe for at least 5-10 minutes, until your mind and body are calm.

Visualization for counteracting negativity:

If you are feeling plagued by negative thoughts or feel invaded or intruded upon by someone else’s negativity, try this:

  • While sitting or standing comfortably in the sun, allow yourself to focus on the negative thought or image that comes to mind.
  • Then, breathing slowly and mindfully, feel the warmth and light of the sun on your body.
  • Visualize the image of the blazing sun in the area of your heart, imagining the sun’s rays permeating your inner world, shining outward through every pore of your body, and out into the outer world. Allow yourself to really visualize this inner light shining into all corners of the world, illuminating every dark corner, and overcoming all negativity with golden light and love.
  • After holding this image for a few minutes, and breathing from the belly, end with an exhalation and feel yourself connected to the earth, and rooted in your body. You will feel lighter, calmer and more empowered to deal with stressful people and situations after this.

Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation):

One of the most popularly practiced yogic practices, traditionally practiced, or course, while facing the sun. The first few minutes of this beautifully video, shot on location in India, shows the 12 sequential postures of the Sun Salutation. The rest of the video is worth watching, but shows other postures (quite advanced ones) that are not part of Sun Salutation.

Source: http://www.alternativedepressiontherapy.com/Solar-Meditations.html

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This entry was posted on Thursday, August 29th, 2024 at 10:31 pm and is filed under Articles.

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One Comment

shams said:

on December 24th, 2010

OM SURYA OM SURYA OM SURYA OM SURYA!!!!

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What is Sunlightenment?

This website is dedicated to the free discemination of information on the healing powers of the Sun and the spiritual practices of Sun Gazing and Surya (Sun) Yoga. All information is given in the spirit of the Sun, whom shares its Light and Love without restriction. May all of humanity benefit from the enlightening energy of the Sun and the wisdom of all beings who share in this service of Sun Yoga.


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