Hi, there is no problem shooting into the sun IF you have the right filters. When the sun is significantly above the horizon you need to graduated neutral density filters of various stops; when the sun in just above the horizon you need to use reverse graduated neutral density filters or various stops.
Basically, dividing the filter in half, a graduated neutral density filter is darker at the top and slowly becomes lighter moving towards the middle of the filter until it is clear from the middle to the bottom.
A reverse graduated filter is dark in the center and gradually lightens until becoming clear at the top.
I suggest you read the various posts on:
Focus on Singh-Ray Filters as well as the information presented on:
@ Singh-Ray Photographic Filters.