Do You Hold to the Idea that a Person can Live on Very Little or No Food?

[Rainbow Mage]

I mean doesn't the Bible say Jesus went without food 40 days? Doesn't Buddhism say that the Buddha lived on only a single grain of rice a day for 7 years, until he became skeletal in appearance?

 

[Riverwolf]

Well, of course a person can live on very little or no food... but not for very long.

Remember: stories exaggerate. Jesus would have eaten at least a little during his time in the wilderness, and the Siddhartha would have had to have eaten more than a single grain of rice a day... but probably not all that much. After all, at the end of it, he did collapse by the roadside until someone came along and gave him rice milk.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

People can live on extremely low calorie diets, and, in fact, there is evidence which supports the idea that people who do so, generally live longer. However, even extremely low calorie diets consist of the minimum number of calories it takes to sustain bodily functions, and a modicum of activity. If enough calories aren't consumed to meet your body's basal metabolic rate, you begin to starve, and your body starts consuming it's own muscle and fat to keep your organs functioning. If this condition persists, eventually, your body starts to consume its own organs, which will lead to death.

 

[fallingblood]

I would not doubt that Jesus could have gone 40 days without eating. I've personally went 40 days without food, and I know a couple of other people who have done the same. Maintaining proper hydration, and drinks with sufficient nutrients are definitely a help though.

 

[.lava]

I mean doesn't the Bible say Jesus went without food 40 days?

physically any human can do that, mentally it requires more than an ordinary intention

.

 

[Jeremiah]

I mean doesn't the Bible say Jesus went without food 40 days? Doesn't Buddhism say that the Buddha lived on only a single grain of rice a day for 7 years, until he became skeletal in appearance?

Someone could do 40 days without food, but not 7 years on only a single grain of rice a day. Perhaps Buddha was drinking something which they didn't count as food or understand as food.

 

[Zadok]

I mean doesn't the Bible say Jesus went without food 40 days? Doesn't Buddhism say that the Buddha lived on only a single grain of rice a day for 7 years, until he became skeletal in appearance?

Returning from an LDS mission and military service (during the Vietnam era) I found myself with various "conflicts" in social aspects of life. A close Native American friend introduced to me the concept of a "Dream Quest" which is very similar to the Biblical concept of fasting for forty days in the wilderness. My intent was to be alone in the South Western desert of the USA and live off whatever the land provided - mostly grubs and roots.

Two interesting things I will share:

1. When I decided to return I ran back constantly for over 30 miles faster than I ever ran in the military and I was not tired when I finished. (I am not a runner but a cyclist) This surprised me.

2. The adjustment back to civilized food was devastating and I was very sick for 2 weeks – I experienced no problems (beyond physiological) adjusting to primitive foods of the land.

Zadok

BTW - two days in the South West Desert without water and over 100 during the day and you would be dead.

 

[Tiapan]

Sure they can... just prior to death.

Cheers

 

[whereismynotecard]

40 days may be possible. It's a stretch, but I think it could happen, if he had water still. I don't think anyone could go 7 years with only a grain of rice each day though...

 

[dust1n]

Just two days after walking out of a clear box in which he spent 49 days fasting, Chen Jianmin reacted only with dismissive anger at hearing Sima Nan's name.

By all accounts, Chen has just broken a fasting world record of 44 days set by an American magician last year.



Doctor faces new challenge after fast

 

[zenzero]

Friend HM,

Do You Hold to the Idea that a Person can Live on Very Little or No Food?

Yes, possible.
Read this, women lives for 40 years on sand.

Lucknow grandma eats sand to keep fit

World record fasting - 49 days by Chinese doctor of traditional medicine.

The Epoch Times | World Record Set with 49-day Fast

Love & rgds

 

[Perfect Circle]

I mean doesn't the Bible say Jesus went without food 40 days? Doesn't Buddhism say that the Buddha lived on only a single grain of rice a day for 7 years, until he became skeletal in appearance?

There's a HUGE difference between 40 days and 7 years. As long as you've got water you can survive for a very long time without food.

 

[Charzhino]

Didnt David Blaine fast for 40 days in his London stunt in that box

 

[zenzero]

Friend Charzino,

Blain's record of 40 days was broken by the Chinese Doctor, read post no. 11 link provided.

Love & rgds