Sun-gazing

[MichaelMyers]

Sup bros? Do any of your practice sun gazing?

Apparently NASA is investigating this dude who doesn't eat food because he has trained himself to absorb all the energy through the sun using his eyes. http://guardianlv.com/2013/05/nasa-c...lities-gained/ A bud of mine says he also used to stare at the sun as a kid and now has 20/20 vision with no eye problems.

Apart from medicinal effects, I hear this practice puts you in touch with the source of all life, the sun, and the mystery of our existence and shit.

Who has tried this? Without going blind? Who wants to give it a go?

[Roiffalo]

That's an odd hobby. I used to stare too long into the lights in stores and I now wear glasses. Which I don't mind unless I need to buy new ones when I can't afford like I do now. Anyway it's been nonstop rain here for the past ever, so there's really no sun to stare into. (starting to feel like I moved to England and wasn't told)

[MichaelMyers]

Originally Posted by Roiffalo

That's an odd hobby. I used to stare too long into the lights in stores and I now wear glasses. Which I don't mind unless I need to buy new ones when I can't afford like I do now. Anyway it's been nonstop rain here for the past ever, so there's really no sun to stare into. (starting to feel like I moved to England and wasn't told)

Sorry to hear on all accounts. Do head into center city for Independence Day.

[The Bloofer Lady]

While I don't sun gaze, the article mentions going barefoot outside. Sort of connecting with the earth or some such. I did take this up several months ago and am happy to report that I did enjoy a few benefits. It did hurt a bit at first but then it felt great with the bottoms of my feet being massaged by the knobby, uneven earth. And I did feel a certain sense of well being after time passed. But stupidly, I stepped on a thorn and that ended that.

[MichaelMyers]

Originally Posted by The Bloofer Lady

While I don't sun gaze, the article mentions going barefoot outside. Sort of connecting with the earth or some such. I did take this up several months ago and am happy to report that I did enjoy a few benefits. It did hurt a bit at first but then it felt great with the bottoms of my feet being massaged by the knobby, uneven earth. And I did feel a certain sense of well being after time passed. But stupidly, I stepped on a thorn and that ended that.

Awesome idea. Will adopt.

[TheBossInTheWall]

I'm in Brooklyn, the closest dirt I can walk on is about a 45 minute bus ride one way. Not to mention waiting for the bus. Alas. As for staring into the sun. I dunno if I buy it. The ozone layer being depleted and all that, not blocking out the sunlight as much as it used to. Dunno if that's a good idea.

[Repo'd]

First time I've ever heard of the practice. Seems like it could be damaging. My eyes are kind of light sensitive so I doubt I'll give this a try. On the other hand, I have been known to stare at the moon and night sky endlessly.

[Roiffalo]

I would much rather walk in dirt than stare at the sun. ...Actually I do that anyway since I hate wearing shoes or any form of foot covering if I can help it and currently reside somewhere with lots and lots of grass and earth to tread on.

Originally Posted by Repo'd

On the other hand, I have been known to stare at the moon and night sky endlessly.

I was doing that tonight. Finally a clear night to enjoy the full moon. Love love love it. which reminds me i have werewolf sketches to post

[Despare]

You'll go blind.

[Sculpt]

Originally Posted by MichaelMyers

Sup bros? Do any of your practice sun gazing?

Apparently NASA is investigating this dude who doesn't eat food because he has trained himself to absorb all the energy through the sun using his eyes. http://guardianlv.com/2013/05/nasa-c...lities-gained/ A bud of mine says he also used to stare at the sun as a kid and now has 20/20 vision with no eye problems.

Apart from medicinal effects, I hear this practice puts you in touch with the source of all life, the sun, and the mystery of our existence and shit.

Who has tried this? Without going blind? Who wants to give it a go?

Hi MM! Good to hear from ya!

I did a little research on this from a number of reputable sites...

Findings are, in most cases, looking directly into the sun causes temporary visual disability (blindness, blind spots, loss of color differentiation), taking various amounts of time to recover, seconds to 18 months. But approximately 10% of people will incur permanent visual damage (not total blindness).

No human organ has photosynthesis (producing usable calories for the body). So I doubt humans can forgo water & food, we're not designed for that. There are benefits to sun exposure: vitamin D, melatonin, sleep & mood benefits documented, but not from direct sun staring.

Permanent Eye Damage
According to a study in Turkey (due to a viewed solar eclipse) with 58 subjects (people) in 1976, and followup of the subjects in 1995:

"10% of those with damage had permanent visual loss to the extent that they were not able to read a car number plate at 25 yards (23 metres) with the affected eye or eyes." (http://www.livescience.com/20433-sol...pse-blind.html) There's other studies reporting long-term eye disability (London study).


As far as getting energy from the sun, or any other benefits... I did a brief period of searching and found no research studies demonstrating any physical benefits, just people reporting how they "feel".

Research... that is taking a group of people 10 to 200, exposing half to direct sun staring, and the other half to simply being out in the sun, without direct sun staring. Then taking blood samples, charting sleep patterns, feelings of well being, physical stress tests -- whatever the claim of benefits may be -- compare results, publish, hopefully get another group to repeat & compare studies. This apparently doesn't exist.