How to Fast for Spiritual Enlightenment

Most spiritual religions and traditions practice some sort of fasting, a practice that generally means going without food for a certain period of time. Even Jesus fasted for 40 days, so says the Holy Bible, before being tempted by Satan in the desert. Apparently, his fasting gave him the strength to resist temptation and triumph over Satan. But why is a food fast so important to spirituality? It’s quite simple and logical, really. Because food is a necessity for life, it is a habit that we MUST indulge in, several times a day. Thus, it becomes a sort of a “God” to us. By depriving yourself of this food God for a specified period of time, you become closer to the one true God. You begin to rely on the spiritual sustenance of God rather than the physical sustenance of food.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Decide whether you want to go on a water only fast or a water and fruit/vegetable juice fast. There are benefits to each type. A water fast is the most cleansing to your body, but a juice fast will alleviate some of your energy slump and hunger pangs. Drinking juice also will have the psychological effect of making you feel that you are not being totally deprived of nutrition.

2. Decide how long to fast. A fast does not have to last for a month or more; it can be as long or as short as you choose. You can choose just to skip one or two meals in one day, and call that a fast, or you can choose not to eat for many days.

3. Visit your doctor for a physical. There are some medical conditions that make going without food very dangerous, or fatal, for some. Make sure that you are in the proper physical condition to begin a fast.

4. Eat less food, gradually cutting down on your food intake, for two weeks before beginning your fast. This will condition your body to accepting less, and eventually no, food.

5. Eat only fruits and vegetables and drink only water and fruit or vegetable juices the week before beginning your fast.

6. Drink only water or juices during your fast. You might want to schedule regular times, just like mealtimes, to drink these beverages.

7. Meditate, pray and read spiritual books frequently during your fast. Schedule as much spiritual contemplation as possible during this period; after all, spiritual enlightenment is the reason for your fast. Many people have reported spiritual breakthroughs during prolonged fasting periods.

8. Introduce food back into your diet gradually when you end your fast. Start with soups and then add solid foods.

Tips & Warnings

• As you fast, see your food deprivation as a sacrifice to God and ask him for guidance in whatever area of your life troubles you.
• Expect to feel shaky, irritable and weak the first few days of your fast (if you choose an extended fast.) Do not let this panic you. Just continue drinking liquids, limit any excess physical activity and get plenty of rest. The first few days of a fast are the most unpleasant but, as the days progress, you should start feeling energetic again.
• Never start a fast without the advice of a physician
• Never go on water/liquid fast. You can only survive a few days without water.