Many religions have rituals of fasting built into their structure, these periods of fasting are aids in the spiritual growth of the being.
In a sense, everyone fasts. When we are in bed asleep, we go without any food or drink. That is fasting. That is why the first meal of the day is called break-fast. However, when people speak of fasting, they usually mean a longer period of time of deliberately choosing not to eat and drink. It can be for a whole day, part of a day or more than a day.
Some people fast for health reasons and they temporary restrict their diet. A spiritual fast usually involves abstaining from food and drink while spending a lot of extra time in prayer and meditation.
(Some people go on a silent retreat or abstain from something they habitually do.)
It’s important to not consider the discomforts of feeling hungry, thirsty and less energetic as “adverse effects” – I’ve come to use the “feeling” as a sign to re-assess my purpose. I find that fasting is unpopular in a culture of instant self-gratification. People tend to think that every day they need three large meals plus snacks. In a culture of continual feasting, it seems there is no place for fasting. From that standpoint alone, fasting is good for developing character, self-discipline, commitment, moderation and better eating habits.
I fast periodically and aside from the physical benefits of fasting, I have found that spiritual fasting heightens my connection with my inner self and with nature.
When you make an intentional fast to connect and heal your spirit you create a disturbance of your daily patterns of which you have become so dependent. When those patterns of pleasure are removed, you are left with your own internal resources. If those resources are bankrupt, then during fasting, you will come face to face with a vacuum that only your higher spirit can fill – it may feel uncomfortable to face the internal self, and like much in life, once you get to meet that inner-self you reach new heights of awareness and tools to better cope with, in times of struggle.
Daisy Says: Cleanse the body and the mind and welcome the light that enters your heart.
