Do You Fast for Spiritual Purposes?

[beenie]

I'm unable to fast due to kidney stones, but I too struggle with the idea of full-on fasting. Particularly in the summer, with extremely long days and heat--to deprive people of food and water for weeks--it seems excessive.

The explanation I've heard is that it makes people appreciate what they have and it helps us feel like the unfortunate people who have no access to food and water. In my opinion, we would be better served getting food to such people rather than starving ourselves. It's not like my not eating makes my food go to them. We don't have a shortage of food, it's just not going to the right places.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

There's traditions of fasting in Hellenismos during certain festivals, such as the Thesmophoria, where Demeter and Persephone are honored. That is a part of the Eleusinian Mysteries and that particular festival was mostly a series of activities partaken of by women. It's up to each worshiper if they wish to take part in those activities, though. I've never liked fasting.

 

[Guy Threepwood]

Shouldn't folks be appreciating things to begin with? I guess this might be helpful for the dullards, but there is nothing inherently spiritual in the practice.

Well try it yourself and test your intellectual superiority, go without food for a day- and see if a carrot is not more enjoyable than that last slice of pizza you had just because it was there.

Just as sun and 60 degrees a few days ago, was glorious to me after months of winter, something somebody waking up in San Diego would have little or no appreciation for.

If either of these things make you feel glad to exist and be able to experience them, I'd call that spiritual, even if you don't make a point of giving thanks for them.

 

[Moishe3rd]

Sure.
Of course.
There are several Fast Days on the Jewish calendar where we do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset.
And there are two Fast Days - Tisha B'av and Yom Kippur, where we fast from sundown to sundown - essentially 25 hours.

 

[PackJason]

Sure.
Of course.
There are several Fast Days on the Jewish calendar where we do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset.
And there are two Fast Days - Tisha B'av and Yom Kippur, where we fast from sundown to sundown - essentially 25 hours.

Why?

 

[YmirGF]

Well try it yourself and test your intellectual superiority, go without food for a day- and see if a carrot is not more enjoyable than that last slice of pizza you had just because it was there.

Just as sun and 60 degrees a few days ago, was glorious to me after months of winter, something somebody waking up in San Diego would have little or no appreciation for.

If either of these things make you feel glad to exist and be able to experience them, I'd call that spiritual, even if you don't make a point of giving thanks for them.

My point remains that the appreciation would serve one better if it was a normal state of being. It one is appreciative about whatever comes ones way then there is truly little to be gained by forcing the issue. My view is that this forcing of the appreciation is predicated on the idea that we are not inherently good enough being as we are. It's one of those pillars that religion seems to be based on - that the individual is not good enough - as they are - and must do all sorts of things to be a better person.

 

[sandy whitelinger]

Actually, I can see how a lot of people confuse spirituality with being weak and light-head from hunger.

Perhaps some of us have stronger constitutions that others.

 

[beenie]

My point remains that the appreciation would serve one better if it was a normal state of being. It one is appreciative about whatever comes ones way then there is truly little to be gained by forcing the issue. My view is that this forcing of the appreciation is predicated on the idea that we are not inherently good enough being as we are. It's one of those pillars that religion seems to be based on - that the individual is not good enough - as they are - and must do all sorts of things to be a better person.

Exactly. The intention of "fasting for appreciation" backfires when people overeat when the fast is over and forget the "purpose" after the allotted fasting period. We are who we are, and in most cases, moderation is stressed (as it should be), rather than extreme deprivation in hopes of appreciation.

We should appreciate what we have without having to starve.

 

[arthra]

As a Baha'i I have Fasted for some years now in the last month (month of 'Ala (Loftiness) of the Baha'i year. Our Fast lasts for nineteen days and will end at sunset tomorrow March 19th..so we abstain from liquid and solid foods from sunrise to sunset every day in the month of 'Ala. You can see details of the Fast that I have been posting here:

http://www.religiousforums.com/threads/the-bahai-fast-begins-at-dawn-march-1st.185135/

The reason for the Fast for Baha'is is that it's ordained:

"We have commanded you to pray and fast from
the beginning of maturity; this is ordained by God, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers..."

Prayer is also a part of Fasting.. so there are certain prayers we can recite during the Fast. Essentially at least for me fasting inculcates discipline and rising above material things.

 

[ChristineES]

It seems fasting is a tried and true practice in almost all religions.

Do you sometimes fast for spiritual purposes? Have you ever done so? If not, why not? If so, what were your experiences? How often have you done so, and for how long?



(If there is anything to debate here, I suppose you can. I only put the post here because there didn’t seem to be a better place.)

I have before I found out I have diabetes. It did help me grow. And I never gorged myself when the fast was over.

 

[Digital_Monk]

I fasted once, fairly unintentionally, a couple years ago. I had gotten really sick and couldn't hold food, so I ended up losing a little over 30 pounds during the fast, which was a little over a month. When I could, I'd drink coconut water, chicken broth, etc. I can see how some people could link spirituality and food. As an American, it seems as though the day is all revolving around food - what's for breakfast, what to buy to make for supper.

I liked being able to get into my smaller waistband jeans too. I hadn't seen a 32" waist in years.

 

[TurkeyOnRye]

I binge eat for spiritual purposes.

 

[Tarheeler]

It seems fasting is a tried and true practice in almost all religions.

Do you sometimes fast for spiritual purposes? Have you ever done so? If not, why not? If so, what were your experiences? How often have you done so, and for how long?



(If there is anything to debate here, I suppose you can. I only put the post here because there didn’t seem to be a better place.)

Yes, I fast on our fast days. I've been doing so since before my conversion five years ago.

Sometimes, I get a lot out of it; it gives me perspective and allows me to focus on the gravity of the day and what it signifies. Other times, I feel like I'm just going through the motions, doing what I need to do regardless of how I actually feel at the time.