Good Morning!
One of the most fun, unique, and definitely new aspects of this past Core IV training was sunbathing. Yogananda recommends a sunbath daily, or at least as often as one can work one in. There have been lesser and greater time amounts mentioned, and since I enjoy it so much, I have selected the longest He mentioned: 30 minutes/15 minutes front and back.
I was just talking to a grad the other day who seemed a bit blue, stuck, lackluster. I immediately advised a sunbath...and to keep sunbathing ongoing.
I look forward to this part of my day with enthusiastic anticipation. It is recommended to take your time in the sun either in the morning or later afternoon. For me, it's whenever I can find Mr. Sun available...and hopefully within the times when the sun is neither too weak NOR too harsh.
At my coastal residence, we have May Gray and June Gloom. This has made my sunbathing less consistent than I would like. I eagerly watch the sky, and as soon as my ol' pal Sun shows up, I endeavor to greet him in the backyard.
Yogananda suggests it is most efficacious to sunbath sans clothing. If you have a reasonably private place to do so, getting every square inch of your body fed with the nutritious rays of the Sun is certainly preferable. If not, get on you swimsuit and go for it!
Gradually my body is turning nut-brown and I love it! Just seeing myself in the mirror fairly shouts "HEALTH!" I have been hearing as much from folks who have seen me lately as well. When one is only doing 15 minutes a side, and hopefully in the less intense hours of the day, sunburn is a non-issue.
Interestingly, doctors are beginning to believe cancer is as much related to not enough sun, and the concomitant shortage of Vitamin D, as they used to believe about too much sun.
I am sure most of you are aware of the connection between depression and lack of natural sunlight. Those long winters in various places with lots of snow and cold often also result in people being moody, unhappy, and down because they are missing the sun.
So, following my Master's Guidance, and my own happily intuitive positive response, I have added sunbathing to my daily routine, as much as possible. My inner child is SO STOKED with this addition. It is FUN, it is EASY, and it is extremely pleasurable!
Yogananda has stated that one should concentrate on the sun's rays mixing with Cosmic Life Force to heal, rejuvenate, and nourish the body while laying in the sun. He stated that this makes the experience ONE HUNDRED TIMES more powerful in terms of health and healing benefit. His Affirmation by Power of Thought seems especially appropriate:
I think my life to flow,
I know my life to flow,
From brain to all my body to flow.
Streaks of light do shoot
Through my tissue root.
The flood of life in vertebrae
Doth rush through spine in froth and spray;
The little cells all are drinking;
Their tiny mouths all are shining;
The little cells all are drinking;
Their tiny mouths all are shining.
I hope you treat yourself to a sunbath soon...and that you savor it, enjoy it, relish it, as much as I do!
Loving you always, k
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