Why We Face to the East
The sun has always been a mystical centerpiece of many cultures’ religions, beliefs, and daily practices. From the Israelites to the Japanese to the Native Americans, the sun has universally been seen as a supreme, life-giving force.
The ancient peoples spent roughly 80% of their time outdoors, farming in the fields, fishing in the rivers, etc. Think about the Israelites, who spent 40 years in the sweltering desert!
Fast forward some millenia to modern day.
This is what the yearly dermatology conference in Hawaii looks like.
It’s hard to believe that these are not scenes from a comedy movie. However, this is totally legit.
While this may look ridiculous, the reasoning is justifiable. There are 5 million diagnosed cases of skin cancer each year, and dermatologists have to witness firsthand the nasty effects of this disease!
But is becoming vampires really the answer?? 🧛
The ancient peoples spent most of their days under the sun without modern sunscreen and full body suits. Yet, skin cancer was a very rare malignancy.
Then, how did man go from practically worshipping the sun to hiding away from it like Dracula?
Well, science demystified it. We discovered the nefarious truth hidden beneath its charming rays. The sun is not life-giving; it is death-dealing. Chock-full of UV radiation, the sun causes cancer to the skin.
This is how modern science explains it:
The ancient peoples had darker skin and died younger than the average person, so in addition to thier natural resistance, skin cancer did not have time to develop.
Maybe…
But this explanation has holes. While people with darker skin have greater resistance to UV rays, they still develop skin cancer, and many lightly fared populations in the past, like the Japanese and the Vikings, didn’t suffer from this condition.
Most of all, that explanation fails to account for the rampant cases of skin cancer among young adults in modern times. If skin cancer didn’t have time to form in 50 year olds back then, then how is it found in 20 year olds today?
This would make complete sense if we spent all our time outdoors. But we don’t. According to polls, modern man spends 87-93% of his time inside! Cases are skyrocketing so much so that experts even recommend wearing sunscreen indoors to avoid the intense UV exposure!
Is this epidemic due to a sunscreen deficiency?
I don’t think so…especially since modern sunscreens have been proven to contain cancer-causing chemicals and even interfere with the body’s ability to endogenously create vitamin D, which is a natural protectant against sunburn!
With that being said, the sun actually might not be as guilty as originally believed.
This 2016 study concludes that “avoidance of sun exposure was a risk factor for all-cause death of the same magnitude as smoking.”
And Scripture usually teaches what science eventually catches up to.
“But for you that honor my name, victory will shine like the sun with healing in its rays, and you will jump around like calves at play” (Malachi 4:2).
Healing. That’s an entirely different narrative than the one pushed by the world.
In fact, facing to the east is one of the most powerful levers we can pull for our hylomorphic health! Below you’ll find 4 reasons to embrace the sun, rather than hiding away from it in constant fear.
INfrared balances out UV Radiation
The sun is not just a blast of UV. It is a complex mixture of different light waves, including infrared, which has proven to balance out any possible, harmful effects of the UV. Infrared has been proven to promote cellular healing, which is why red light companies have attempted to harness it. Morning sun is rich of these restorative molecules.
It is a natural antidepressant
You may wonder why you grow sad in the winter when the sun is not as intense! It’s because the sun directly influences our happiness and mood! UV rays hit our skin and interact with cholesterol to produce vitamin D, which is linked with stronger mental health, improved immunity, and greater gut diversity. The sun also naturally boosts serotonin, the “feel-good” chemical, the same one that antidepressants act upon! Research indicates that as little as 15 to 30 minutes of daily sun exposure can significantly reduce depressive symptoms.
It balances hormones
Instead of spending most of our life under the sun, like ancient man, we have spent most of our life tucked away in cubicles and factories under fluorescent bulbs. This does a number on our hormones. So, keep the stable 9-5, but spend time outdoors before and after! This allows our body to regulate many different functions, especially our circadian rhythm, which governs our sleep architecture.
It allows us to remember our Lord
To the east Christ ascended and it is from this horizon he will return. In facing ad orientam toward the Sun of righteousness, we are priming our hearts to receive our Lord, not allowing them to be swept away and swallowed up by the currents of this world. By replacing the artificial light of phones with the natural light of the sun, we render ourselves more available to Christ and guard our hearts from the idols that seek to steal our attention. For the first hour of the morning, get in the sun, pray, and flee away from the temptation to swipe. Practicing this will give you more power and freedom.
Leaven Tip:
When it comes to embracing the sun, go low and slow. Like animals who spend time in the sun and retire to the shade when they overheat, follow those same rules spelled out in nature. Develop resistance through a healthy tan, and catch those rays in the morning and the evening if you want to avoid the most intense UV radiation.
And when it comes to the sunscreen, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. Instead of using modern sunscreens, full of cancer-causing agents and endocrine disrupting chemicals, Leaven offers another alternative. You can craft your own! If you’re interested, just search “homemade sunscreen recipe” online, and many options will turn up!
Hopefully, you now realize (as our ancestors always have) that the sun contains amazing benefits!
The question though still stands…
Why are we getting skin cancer? We aggressively wear sunscreen, and we spend upwards to 93% of our lives indoors, yet numbers are continually climbing. Something must be at the root weakening us and making us more susceptible to this damage…
I really want to give you the answer now, but there has to be some incentive to invest in our program! Check out the Rule of Leaven and start to unlock these secrets of hylomorphic health.
Okay, fine, I will give you a hint. I can’t resist! It has to do with an oil that is hidden in most of the food we eat on a daily basis. Once we remove it, our cells will heal. If our cells heal, then we will be more poised to absorb the sun and avoid turning into crusty lobsters.
That’s all for now! Remember to check out the program to learn more! You can even click the button under quick navigation down below.
May God empower and sustain you on your leaven journey.
Through the Immaculata,
Colton Hage
