Making a Date with the Sunrise

Making a Date with the Sunrise

Master Chunyi Lin

Welcoming the Sun: A Daily Practice for Healing and Energy

There’s something extraordinary about the energy of the sunrise. It’s calm, pure, and full of potential—a powerful source of healing that can elevate your energy to a much higher level.

Whenever you can, and weather permits, make a date with the sunrise. Find a quiet place where you can see it clearly and give yourself the gift of this sacred time.

A Simple Sunrise Practice

Unless advised otherwise by your doctor, the early morning is a rare time when it’s safe to gently gaze at the sun—but only for a few seconds. Here’s a gentle practice you can follow:

1. Greet the Sun: As the sun rises, look at it for no more than 5 seconds. Then, gently close your eyes and hold the image in your mind for 3 to 5 minutes.

2. Feel the Energy: With your eyes still closed, face the sun and breathe slowly, deeply, and comfortably. Meditate on the sun’s warmth and energy flowing into you.

3. Repeat: After a few minutes, open your eyes again and look at the sun for another 3 to 5 seconds, then close them again. Repeat this pattern as long as the sunrise lasts and as long as it feels good.

During this time, you can simply bask in the energy of the sun, or enhance the experience by practicing your Qigong Active Exercises, the Sun Meditation, or the Small Universe.

Why Sunrise is So Powerful

The sun’s energy is especially nurturing in the early morning—between sunrise and 8 a.m.—and even more so during the spring, after winter’s long dormant period. This is a time of gentle “fire energy,” which helps awaken the body’s natural rhythms and supports emotional and spiritual renewal.

In China, millions of people gather outdoors in the early morning or evening to practice Qigong, harnessing the healing energy of fresh air and the sun. However, they avoid practice during the middle of the day when the sun’s energy is too intense and can actually drain your Qi.

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.

A Word of Caution

If you have light sensitivity or a medical condition that makes sun exposure unsafe, always follow your doctor’s advice. Even for others, it’s important to avoid direct sun exposure between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., when the energy can become too strong. If you must be outside during this time, protect yourself with a hat, sunglasses, and proper clothing—and stay hydrated.

Balance Is the Key

Just 10 minutes in the early morning sun can make a difference. Whether you do it daily, weekly, or even monthly, what matters most is your intention and consistency. Let the rising sun inspire your healing journey—gently, naturally, and with joy.

* 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.