When we hear the word “yoga,” we imagine a yogi twisting his body into a pretzel or performing special breathing exercises. This is hatha yoga or physical yoga. “Yoga” means union.
The goal of every type of yoga is union with God, the Solar Presence, the Universe, the higher self. Hatha yoga tries to reach this union through the body, karma yoga through service, kriya yoga through light and colors. Jnana yoga attempts to unite us to God through study, reflection and intellectual activity. Bhakti yoga is the yoga of devotion. Raja yoga teaches concentration and self-control. Agni yoga is the yoga of spiritual fire and shabda yoga connects us through sacred words or mantras.
Surya yoga or sun yoga is the highest yoga and the fastest path to union.
Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov wrote, “Surya yoga includes them all: adoration, wisdom, power as well as purity, activity and dedication, light and the sacred fire of Divine love… By the practice of Surya yoga you establish a link between yourself and the power that governs and gives life to the whole Universe: the sun.” By “sun” Omraam is referring to the spiritual sun which the physical sun is but a reflection. Sun yoga is still practiced as a daily ritual called Surya Namaskar by Hindus and Jains although its significance and correct procedure has been lost. It used to be a daily practice of many peoples throughout the world—Greeks, Egyptians, Essenes, Persians, Aztecs, Mayans, Incans, Tibetans and Chinese. In the last century, three people revived sun yoga in the West. One of them was Omraam Mikhael Aïvanhov who left a vast body of knowledge during nearly fifty years of teaching. Over seventy books have been published from his lecture notes with enough material for 400 more books. One of Omraam’s books that I highly recommend is The Splendour of Tiphareth which contains his teachings on Surya yoga.
Last but not least, this kind of Yoga is FREE like all the TRUE and EFFECTIVE practices and teachings!
Health benefits of sunrise meditation
Some people ask why it’s important to meditate outside, why can’t they simply meditate in the comfort of their own room? There are many good reasons and the most basic is that the ‘Prana’ present at sunrise is able to restore and maintain our physical health:
‘Prana is a living force, the outpouring of vitality from the sun that we breathe in with the air and absorb into every cell of our body. Prana is like a pure stream, cascading down from the mountain heights, its water charged with every kind of nourishment for the beings swimming in it and also for the humans and animals living on its banks. Prana is a torrent flowing from the sun and, by respiration and meditation, we can obtain from it all the benefits we need’. (O.M. Aivanhov)
There are many medical articles regarding the benefits of the sun rays, here you can find some more information Sun Exposure: Vitamin D And Other Health Benefits Of Sunlight
Spiritual benefits
But the benefits of practising meditation at sunrise are far from being merely physical. By focusing our attention on the sun’s first rays while breathing deeply, we are nourishing our subtle, psychic and spiritual bodies; we are able to ‘eat fire and drink light’. And in this way, we not only rejuvenate our physical bodies, we also become inwardly richer, freer and happier. Our relationships with others improve as we become more loving and generous:
‘Learn to work with the light of the sun, for this light contains all riches. When you begin to take possession of these riches, you will feel your relationships with other human beings gradually improve. Why? Because when you feel rich, you become generous. But please understand me: I am speaking of true riches, that of the masters and initiates. They live in such abundance, such plenitude, how could they not wish to help others and love them? When you see someone who doesn’t love others, who shows no inner nobility or generosity it is because he or she is poor and miserable. And if you don’t want to fall into the same faults, work with the rays of the sun’. (O.M. Aivanhov)
The sun, image of perfection
The sun shines on all creatures equally, whether they be saints or criminals, all receive its light, warmth and vitality whether they are grateful for these blessings or not. In this sense, the sun can be said to be a physical representation of God, an expression of the trinity of love, wisdom and truth. It offers us a glorious image of perfection, inspiration for all those who strive towards a spiritual ideal.
Prayer at Sunrise
The following prayer can be said at sunrise. We should pronounce it with inner conviction, while focusing on the first rays as they appear above the horizon, for it is then a powerful magic formula:
As the sun rises over the world, so may the sun of truth, freedom, immortality and Eternity, rise in my spirit.
As the sun rises above the world, so may the sun of love and immensity rise in my soul.
As the sun rises above the world, so may the sun of intelligence, light and wisdom rise in my intellect.
As the sun rises above the world, so may the sun of gentleness, kindness, joy, happiness and purity rise in my heart.
As this luminous, radiant sun rises over the world, so may the sun of strength, power, force, dynamic energy and activity rise in my will.
And as this luminous, radiant, living sun rises over the world, so may the sun of health, vitality and vigour rise in my body.
Amen.
So be it, for the kingdom of God and His righteousness Amen.
So be it, for the Glory of God!
references: www.with-omraam.com – www.dovesnest.org – www.prosveta.com
Sunrise in Bereldange – Yoga of the Sun – Surya Yoga