What is the purpose of fasting (religious not dieting)? Have your ever done so?

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   philliposted 11 years ago

   What is the purpose of fasting (religious not dieting)? Have your ever done so? If so, describe.
   
   What is the purpose of fasting (we're talking religion not dieting)? Please, if you have Biblical sources, list them. Have you ever fasted? If so, how (did you go water only, did you do it for 7 days, did you eat only veggies or just water/protein shakes)? After fasting, did you feel that it made an impact on your spiritual or personal life? I am very interested in this topic and look forward to hearing and learning more about it.

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   SidKempposted 11 years ago

   Fasting has different meanings in different religious and spiritual traditions. It is generally associated with either attending to things spiritual (non-physical), or to giving up worldly pleasures (favorite foods), or to purification (of body and/or spirit).
   
   A key Christian reference for fasting is Jesus' 40 days in the desert.
   Observant Jews fast (water only) for 24 hours each year in preparation for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the time at the New Year when we seek to understand and turn away from past errors.
   Buddhists tend to fast or monofast (eat one simple food, such as rice) during meditation retreats.
   Fasting is a very strong part of the Hindu tradition, for self-purification, for spiritual focus, and sometimes, for social influence. (Mahatma Gandhi did this.)
   
   A caution: not everyone should fast. Fasting can be dangerous for people with diabetes, other blood sugar imbalances, or other illnesses. A fast should be entered into gently and ended gently. I would recommend mono-fasting (a single food) or fasting on broth or soup before trying a water-only fast, and definitely be comfortable with water-only fasting before trying to go without water (or don't do that). Also, start with 1 day, then 3 days, before working up to a week. Do some good research on health issues before you try fasting to make it a healthy experience.

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      philliposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Wow. Thank you for the thorough answer. I like the idea of the monofast. Seven days with only water seemed very daunting to me.  I had read up on the starting and stopping and knew that I would have to stop over the course of a day or so, easing out.

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      SidKempposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You're welcome, Philli. Fasting should be a challenge, but it should not be debilitating.

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   Apostle Jackposted 11 years ago

   Fasting is to focus better,and to concentrate in the spirit. It helps one to build integrity thereof and to have more ability of intellect.
   It is a great feeling of light and inspiring activity of spirit. It make you think good thoughts and make good decisions. You can feel and experience the separation of flesh and spirit. I have set a fast for myself for each day of my life whereas there are a part of each day that I will not net nor drink anything.
   
   The main focus is to get closer and closer in the will of the Almighty, and to awaken the spirit to His concerns in this world of self agenda.

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      philliposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It's great that you use a daily fast as a reminder about your beliefs. I have never fasted food/water. I have given up something I enjoyed. I  was addicted to soda and originally was supposed to give it up for a week, but I ended up doing it a year.

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      Apostle Jackposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      @philli Take time to make time,is the voice of progress.I commend you on your success. Be bless.

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   backporchstoriesposted 11 years ago

   I fast every year at a ceremony in Mexico.  The fasting is one of the ways of allowing the spirit to free itself from the body, so the mind will have more presence in the spiritual realm.  When we anticipate fuel for the body the mind is distracted by the physical task required, however, when we fast and meditate the mind moves more to the non-tangible world allowing the soul and spirit to convene more closely to what is sacred.  On the physical aspect of fasting, it is good for the body to reset itself through a good cleanse.  It allows the senses of the body to re-awaken.  After fasting for four days and nights, the taste buds are alive with pleasure at the first drink or bite of food.  Often we take food for granted, while fasting will bring about a new appreciation for how we sustain ourselves.  During our fasting, we are given a cup or two of herbal tea to help the body maintain a balance.  I personally have never gone more than four days as required by our ceremony at the Moon Dance.  In that capacity, I am always surprised how my faith carries me through and I very seldom feel the hunger.

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      philliposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I could see how having fasted would give us a new appreciation for food. I know that the money spent on my food is hard-won but I often don't consider it once it is home and in the pantry. BTW, what does the Moon Dance entail?

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   renegadetoryposted 11 years ago

   Every year on Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) I fast for 24 hours without food or drink.
   
   This comes from Leviticus 23:27-32 which tells us that it is a Holy Day and we are to afflict our souls and do no manner of work or cause anyone else to work.
   
   The reason for keeping Day of Atonement is to acknowledge several things; that although food and drink sustain us physically, we need to rely on God in all things to sustain us spiritually (at-one-ment = at one with God).  It was also the only day of the entire year that the Levitical priests could enter the Holy of Holies in the temple or tabernacle and enter into God's presence to make an atonement for God's people.
   
   It is also a time for forgiveness and letting go of any and all grievances that anyone has against you because we want God to forgive us of all our sins against Him.

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      philliposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for your personal insight. I hadn't thought about using the fast as a time to forgive and start a clean slate. This is a great answer. Thanks so much!

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   Eunice Stuhlhoferposted 11 years ago

   Fasting is an act of abstinence from food or other pleasurable things in order to focus on God and his purposes. There are various ways of fasting.The Bible recounts about the Esther fast ( Book of Esther) when she was preparing to go before the king without following the custom. God granted her favor and she saved her people from a massacre.
   
   There is also the Daniel fast comprising of vegetables for 21 days (Book of Daniel).
   
   After his disciples were unable to cast out a dumb spirit, Jesus said to them . .  "But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting" (Matthew 17:21).  Jesus emphasizes the importance of fasting . . . (I would say. . .for some things, one has to seek God in prayer and fasting).
   
   I personally do different types of fast. Individual, church wide; Partial, fruits only, water only, vegetable, etc according to my arrangement with God.
   
   Thanks for asking this.

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      philliposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the response. This week is a church wide fast where I worship...Our pastor left it open (do or don't...our choice).  and gave us all packets of info. I think that the Daniel fast (veggies) appealed to me since I've never attempted a fast.

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   Shepherd 48posted 11 years ago

   You've received some good answers here. Jesus spoke of fasting in Matt. 6 [I think] and said, "When you fast..." not "if you fast...". I look at fasting as an opportunity to tell your body its not going to rule you. If we totally gave in to our bodies their desires would kill us! [I'd eat choc. chip cookies all day] So we deny the body or sometimes even the mind what it wants and instead focus on God and what He wants. My basic fast would involve going without something and spending that time in prayer instead. I did a 5 day fast (water only) once. It was good in that I showed myself it could be done. I find that one can fast other things beside food - the newspaper, TV, internet, things like that. One of my mentors taught that we can live a "fasted life". He would always stop eating before he was full, again showing his body who was the boss.

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      philliposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      WHEN you fast, not if...thanks for your contribution to this topic!  I'm enjoying all of these enlightening answers.

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