Green Gaia
Veteran Member
Has anyone here ever fasted for religious or spiritual reasons? What was your experience with it and would you do it again? What would you tell people wanting to fast for the first time about fasting?
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Fasting
- Thread starter Green Gaia
- Start date
jimbob
The Celt
I have. i sure would do it again. i didn't mind doing it and it wasn't that bad because i kept my mind on the goal, and tried to remember why i was doing it. That helps a lot. And the best part, is (dpending on how long you do it) you either lose weight, or you have lots of room to fill up with food 
Green Gaia
Veteran Member
How long did you fast for and what reason?
ayani
member
Maize-
while i've never fasted, i have gone through periods of drastically simplifying my diet, which does, like fating i imagine, take a while to get used to!
a number of my Baha'i friends fast for religious reasons, and their advice to fasters usually runs thus: try to keep tiring physical activity to a minimum, pray for guidance and strength if you feel tempted to break the fast, and get emotional and spiritual support from other fasting believers.
i don't really see the spiritual merit in fasting, honestly. i think it's important to care for the body and eat a healthful, ideally simple diet. in my experience, either going without food or eating too much tends to hinder the mind from concentrating on spiritual things.
while i've never fasted, i have gone through periods of drastically simplifying my diet, which does, like fating i imagine, take a while to get used to!
a number of my Baha'i friends fast for religious reasons, and their advice to fasters usually runs thus: try to keep tiring physical activity to a minimum, pray for guidance and strength if you feel tempted to break the fast, and get emotional and spiritual support from other fasting believers.
i don't really see the spiritual merit in fasting, honestly. i think it's important to care for the body and eat a healthful, ideally simple diet. in my experience, either going without food or eating too much tends to hinder the mind from concentrating on spiritual things.
Druidus
Keeper of the Grove
I fasted for three days, and soon, I'' be fasting for a week. The first day and a half were the very horrible. After that, it was ok. What I'd tell any novice faster (I suppose I still am )? Start small. Three days, but allow yourself juices. Any more than a week, and you should probably take vitamin/mineral pills, to be safe. My goal is to one day be able to fast for a month.
The problem is, when you start up again, you must control yourself. Start slowly, or you'll get sick. At first, you will be physically unable to eat as much, but after a while, you'll need willpower to stop from eating far too much, and gaining weight.
I fasted as a token of thanks to the Gods.
Gracie:
When I was fasting, my meditations were much clearer, and I felt more connected with everything. It was as if the world was intensified, made clearer; as if the lens I view it from had been cleansed and magnified. No idea why though...
)? Start small. Three days, but allow yourself juices. Any more than a week, and you should probably take vitamin/mineral pills, to be safe. My goal is to one day be able to fast for a month. The problem is, when you start up again, you must control yourself. Start slowly, or you'll get sick. At first, you will be physically unable to eat as much, but after a while, you'll need willpower to stop from eating far too much, and gaining weight.
I fasted as a token of thanks to the Gods.
Gracie:
When I was fasting, my meditations were much clearer, and I felt more connected with everything. It was as if the world was intensified, made clearer; as if the lens I view it from had been cleansed and magnified. No idea why though...
ayani
member
that's interesting, and i totally believe you. my mother can fast well enough, and reports similar feelings of clarity and concentration. i'm not sure why fasting doesn't work for me, though. maybe i ought to try it again? i like the advice you give Druidus, thank you! if i try to fast again, i'll try some of those things out.Druidus said:
standing_on_one_foot
Well-Known Member
Every year on Yom Kippur...periodically I'll fast on Tisha B'av, but not so much, it happens when I'm really active in the summer, often as not. I should put some more thought into it, really, it's mostly just something I do 'cause I'm Jewish and over 13.
Master Vigil
Well-Known Member
I fasted for 3 days for the spring equinox. 3 days before hand, and then I had a small feast on the 20th. It wasn't hard. I don't eat much anyway, so I suppose that helped. And my chi gung experience helped as well. I will do it again, for all the solstices and equinoxes.
fromthe heart
Well-Known Member
I have fasted for up to 6 days...the reason wasn't for a holiday or spiritual definition...it was a cleansing fast because I needed to be able to think clearer on some thinngs that were personal. It does help purify the body and clean up thought processes.
Lycan...I did drink water during my fast...it helps flush out impurities from the body.
I would reccommend a fast of 3 days to anyone who wants to just feel a little better. On day 3 food smells like it will make your stomach turn though on some occassions.
Lycan...I did drink water during my fast...it helps flush out impurities from the body.
I would reccommend a fast of 3 days to anyone who wants to just feel a little better. On day 3 food smells like it will make your stomach turn though on some occassions.
standing_on_one_foot
Well-Known Member
I drink water, yeah. I can go for a while without food alright (a week's about as long as I'm willing), but I have no desire to be dehydrated.
Master Vigil
Well-Known Member
Water is ok. I once did a month fast on just water, and broth. (I love soup )
)
JesusIsTheWay
Member
I've just started a fast for the month of April. The reason is I'm preaching at our youth service the 29th. It's not just a straight fast of food for 30 days. I pick different things to fast from i.e. food, computer, tv, or whatever else and instead spend more time in prayer and reading the Bible. I've done it before. I would recommend fasting for any Christians
(I personally don't believe that fasting for any other "god" will do anything for you, other then make you lose weight )
- David
Have a good day everybody
(I personally don't believe that fasting for any other "god" will do anything for you, other then make you lose weight
)- David
Have a good day everybody
Druidus
Keeper of the Grove
I respect your opinion, but Brighid has lit the fire in my head, and given me inspiration while fasting. Oghma has given me wisdom. Dannu has given me peace and clarity.(I personally don't believe that fasting for any other "god" will do anything for you, other then make you lose weight)
It's all perspective really.
Unedited
Active Member
I've heard and experienced that the fourth and fifth days are the hardest. You should also remember to be very careful. If you notice your body reacting weirdly, eat something!
I began fasting on the third, planning to fast for ten days. After four full days though I started getting sharp pains so I ate. I think my problem was that I wasn't getting enough water though. So remember to drink lots! And if you do have to stop fasting, don't start right back up again and expect to be able to go as long.
I began fasting on the third, planning to fast for ten days. After four full days though I started getting sharp pains so I ate. I think my problem was that I wasn't getting enough water though. So remember to drink lots! And if you do have to stop fasting, don't start right back up again and expect to be able to go as long.
