I share your beliefs. I once experimented with a completely rules-free schedule, under the belief that my circadian rhythm was slightly longer than an earth day, and thus my "day" would slowly shift forwards until my day was everyone's night, and then back again. It didn't feel good and I stopped it after one rotation.
As far as the sun as a waking trigger, I believe that as well. With an alarm, it's nothing... nothing... nothing... and then BAM! Time to wake up! The sun rises gradually, and light is entering your eyes before you regain consciousness, so even though it seems like you suddenly wake due to the light, I think it's a more gradual process. That, and I fall back on a naturalistic idea that since that's how humans have woken since time immemorial, that our brains are wired for it in a way.
Gradual light exposure is a good point. But I'd say light increases according to its own schedule... it doesn't take our need to sleep into consideration.
Absorbing light after waking up is an activity that I agree with though. I actually have SAD lamp at home for this.
As far as the sun as a waking trigger, I believe that as well. With an alarm, it's nothing... nothing... nothing... and then BAM! Time to wake up! The sun rises gradually, and light is entering your eyes before you regain consciousness, so even though it seems like you suddenly wake due to the light, I think it's a more gradual process. That, and I fall back on a naturalistic idea that since that's how humans have woken since time immemorial, that our brains are wired for it in a way.