We’re continuing our spiritual experimentation this month with the discipline of fasting. Here are some words from my friend Aaron about the practice…
Like so many of the disciplines, fasting is a practice that spans numerous cultures and unknown thousands of years. In light of its rich history, it should come as no surprise that numerous variations of the practice have developed with as many different ends in mind. I will briefly list a few purposes that could motivate one’s fast.
Discipline: Denying one’s self a craving as fundamental as food can be a very effective exercise in reigning in the impulse to give into other cravings that easily control a weak will.
Empathy: When living in comfort it can be difficult to relate to or even care about those who suffer. Experiencing the unpleasant pangs of hunger can develop a healthy awareness of what it means to suffer.
Solidarity: Similar to empathy, the shared experience of hunger can form a strong bond.
Clarity: Many find that through fasting they experience an enhanced ability to make difficult decisions and understand abstract or obscure knowledge.
Balance: Understanding a human as an integrated whole (body and spirit), occasionally starving the body can theoretically serve to balance the body spirit relationship.
Health: A fast is believed by many to benefit not only spiritual health, but physical health as well by, among other things, cleansing the body of toxins and other undesirables.
If you join us in experimenting with fasting this month, share your experiences in the comments of this post.
Hey brootha,
About 3 weeks ago, I completed a time of fruits/veggies/nuts only. I would eat them cooked or raw, but I stayed away from meats, sweets and breads.
In addition to dropping quite a bit of weight, I agree with these 2 posts that I was more alert and clearer mentally (& spiritually, i think, as well).
Going back to regular food has almost had similar effects as depression — lethargic, tired a lot, not sleeping as well…etc. Also, it made me realize just how much I rely on junk food for comfort. It makes me wonder if I could/should consider an actual vegetarian lifestyle, since I seem to thrive there & have since lost my taste for a lot of meats.
I’m gonna go back on veggies for a month or two and see how it goes. What’s the worst that could happen– I could be thin & happy?? hehe…
Thanks pretty awesome, my friend. Good stuff from Aaron.