Hey. I just wanted to know how one could benefit spiritually from fasting for a few days? Also, when you fast can you still drink water and meditate as usual?
Spiritual benefit? Energy work is easier when you are hungry. But isn't one day enough?
Maybe it's the cleansing effect that helps...
Also, not having to digest frees up your energy for a "better" use.
I've done a 5-day fast and I HIGHLY recommend one every once in a while. I also like to fast on Sunday as a part of my pursuit of the spirit within.
Fasting gives you the CERTAINTY that you are NOT your body and that it is a tool to be used by you. You come to understand you are the controller of this puppet called the physical body and that you exist quite independent from the shell. This understanding might help with Astral awareness, also if your motivation for fasting is on understanding more of what TRULY IS.
This is what I get out of fasting. A better awareness of my body as a stand-alone power tool, a better awareness of being that which moves the body, a greater awareness of what's actually necessary for the continued function of the body (i.e. Food is not good for you 3x/day/7x/week.), an increased sensitivity of all things non-physical, and a sense of personal power and accomplishment, reigning over my animal impulses and moving into personal integrity and responsibility.
Motivation for me, is the key.
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You come to understand you are the controller of this puppet called the physical body and that you exist quite independent from the shell.
Why you have such disrespect to your physical body?
It's not disrespect, it's what I've found is true for me.
The better question is why do Astral Projectors have disrespect for the body?
Do they?
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The better question is why do Astral Projectors have disrespect for the body?
Do they?
Because they think that if soul cam leave body, they will not die with the body. But they forget that body is the most important tool they ever had. If they would know how advanced structure of human body is, they would never call it "puppet".
Apparently I didn't explain what I mean well enough.
When I say "puppet" all I mean by it is that the body is something you can control. It is one part of a multi-level existence. As Astral Projectors you know you are more than the body. I mean no disrespect; in fact I spend a lot of time getting to know it better and deeper.
I'm told we're a 5-level being. Physical, Astral, Mental, Causal, and Soul.
I KNOW of 4 levels from personal experience. Physical, Astral, Mental, and Soul.
"Puppet" is not derogatory, just an effective description of the body's FUNCTION from what I have seen.
What I think he means is that it teaches you you're not a slave to bodily instincts like hunger, that you dominate them, that you dominate your body, and not it you, and thus prove that you control your existence.
I fasted once for 30 hours as a school project, it was pretty neat. Didn't stop me from eating half a pizza when it was over though. They said not to gorge after-wards, screw em, I eat that much even when I'm not fasting. Gorging kicks butt.
I tried to fast and I got to about 20 hours and my sides where EXPLODING. It hurt so bad and went away as soon as I ate. What the hell did I do wrong?
Some people can't fast for too long..like me for instance. :) I get all weak and shake, not a cool feeling. But I can get away with eating just little bits to keep me from passing out. I will say for me I do feel..umm..lighter, I don't mean as in weight.... I just feel better..ugh, I can't explain it. :P
Nay
I undestand what you're talking about. The body feels more perfect, unencumbered, and "original".
I'm told that the original function of the internal organs was to collect and transform and distribute energy. Makes sense considering that's what the digestive system does anyway. All too often the CRAP we eat is TOTALLY unsuited to be digested. Consequently by abstaining from this CRAP we begin to revert to our normal, natural, healthy self. That's why vegetarians have a glowing skin and why certain really spiritual people glow in radiance.
It might also explain the sense of feeling Lighter or better. All too often we consciously choose to ingest that which we KNOW is BAD for the body. Why? We sabotage ourselves! Fasting gives us a glimpse of what we're missing out on. I would suggest that EVERYONE has problems fasting at first, and that only the dedication to stick it out will carry one through it. My first fast was 12 hours. When I made a commitment to fast a full day, it was MAGIC to me. I could do anything! So after a week, I decided on a 3-day fast, which was CAKE! So I waited a month and did a 5-day fast which really took alot out of me, not physically but mentally. I am convinced a 10-day was certainly possible, but I couldn't find the resolve to keep telling my body "NO" when my mind said "This is Insane. You're killing yourself. Why do you do this? Wouldn't a juicy steak sound good right now?" All sorts of distractions and trials came up. For instance, shortly after I affirmed a commitment to finish the fast, a friend called up and wanted to go out to eat.
If you go into a fast with the purpose of lasting a reasonable goal, you can make it no problem. If you go into it and just decide "OK, I'll eat now" you will regret it, because of the lack of dedication. Trust me, you'll feel it was a waste and you'll feel bad about yourself. For anyone thinking of doing a fast, I suggest making your intentions crystal-clear. Write your reasons down and set a time period, and STICK TO IT! I suggest all first timers skip a meal at first, then try 2, then go a whole day. It's easy, and it makes you understand that most of what you do is completely unnecessary.
Hi there Timothy. :D
I love the way you describe it..yes, I feel more original!
I don't understand the fasting for that long though.. I really don't think I could do it with any amount of practice, my body just isn't wired that way. :P And that is ok, it works for me as it should.
I think everyone is different and you should do what you feel comfortable with and most of all, listen to your own body and find out its limits. Who knows, my limits might change as I get older....that would be nice. :D
Nay
You probably either use too much energy, don't have enough fat reserves, or are a compulsive eater. That's the only reason I can think of for PAIN in only twenty hours. I might have had a little, but nothing disabling enough to shatter my discipline.
How sensitive are you to pain? Do you pop a lot of zits?
Quote from: TyciolYou probably either use too much energy, don't have enough fat reserves, or are a compulsive eater. That's the only reason I can think of for PAIN in only twenty hours. I might have had a little, but nothing disabling enough to shatter my discipline.
How sensitive are you to pain? Do you pop a lot of zits?
I've never had a zit in my life. I'm 15.
Wait for it ;) My advise: don't start.
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I'm told that the original function of the internal organs was to collect and transform and distribute energy.
Who told you such thing? If someone would tell you that car engine's fuel pump is for moving energy you would believe? The internal organs have extreme amount of functions, and most of them are chemical or physical. If they would be designed to collect energy, what would be purpose of extremely complex chemical functions that they have?
Have you thought about the possibility of those chemical reactions being the MECHANISM through which energy accumulation and distribution happens?
The original function of organs is nothing: they evolved because they support superior forms of life. They distribute chemicals. The energy body (if it exists) simply coincides with a lot of organs. Yogis believe that many chakras coincide with different organs in the body, but the organ's placement has nothing to do with the way chakras are visualized. Either they're not longer directly physically overlapping, or the chakric view is a simplified one easier to visualize and knowing the exact location is not important.
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Have you thought about the possibility of those chemical reactions being the MECHANISM through which energy accumulation and distribution happens?
Energy is created at single cells. It is not possible to transfer it directly to other cells in other forms than heat. Chemical substances like carbohydrates, aminoacids, ATP, are only a source of energy,not energy itself.
After christmas dinner tonight I am going to go for that 4 hours and complete a damn day. Then I am going to project finally for the fiirst time because I have been trying for 2 months. :mrgreen: *hopes*
I LOVE how we have people that KNOW what's so.:roll:
Maybe that's why they are checking a discussion board for new information and greater clarity!
The only think I know, is that I know nothing!
I'm offering another perspective, while others tell me they KNOW.
Chuck your degrees in the garbage, folks. You don't know, either.
Who says we know? I'm just saying it makes the most sense as we've learned about it.
Anyone can make up a theory, having one founded on sensible ideas, and then especially proving it's another matter.
i recently did a little fast for a couple days..i did eat but very little..it was my first one ive willingly done (sometimes i get busy and go on unknowing hunger strikes). I really liked the feeling of it. Some stuff - people have already commented on. You feel a control over your body, and you find a new understanding of what Hunger really is. After about 2 sessions of my stomach growling in fasting span ... it stopped growling and it wouldnt come back. I got bored and decided to eat a nice lunch. I did feel like I had more power over my body. I also felt that it helped in energy stimulation.
I dont feel the need to eat so often after this experience. I think I ended up knowing more about my body and when it actually needed food. I dont see a need to litsen to my stomach anymore .. for I feel it is only a selfish, habit trained organ.
I'm thinking of doing a lemonade fast because this cool guy says it'll get rid of glue in my body from bleached flour and milk... I figure it'd be neat because I really haven't had much lemon lately, and I could stand to lose 5 pounds through it.
Hi folks,
I've fastened several times since I began vegan. There're some direct effects which can be commented:
1.Your body cleanses.
2.Your willpower gets empowered, because you must give up your old eating habits.
3.Your guts get emptied, so the blood stored there finally is released to the rest of your body.
4.Your brain receives more blood.
5.Your mind gets more clear and sharp, and a sense of calmness fills your muscles.
6.Meditation processes and the like gets improved.
On the negative side:
1.Your body's organs take advance of so less work releasing toxins to your blood.
2.This way you can experience a light autointoxication, called toxemia.
3.Your tongue acquires a horrible look the first days (it is the main output portal for toxins).
4.You can experience a massive feces elimination.
Anyway from my viewpoint the best "spiritual improvers" are fastening and sex contemption.
Hope this helps.
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I feel that fasting is the most effective and easiest method to break away from the primitive programs running inside our brains. Not that these programs are unnecessary, but we tend to overuse them, to the extent that they halt our spiritual development.
Once you have reached a level of material development, when you need not worry about food and other basic instincts anymore, and you have ample to survive, you must start the next level. But habitually we continue in the same loop of eating, excreting and sleeping. Fast can break you out of this.
It will let you see the mechanical programs running and ruling you. Now you take charge of them and realize your next level. So its has more to do with mind, less with body, although you may get the obvious side effects - good or bad.
The trick is to defeat your program to eat, not to eat when the food is in front of you. And to eat only when you wish to, not when you are forced to, by the program.
The next step is to defeat the program of collecting wealth, even when you have more than sufficient. It's an outgrown version of our primitive instinct to collect supplies for the bad season ahead.
Next and most difficult is to control the urge of mating. Abstaining from sex is a kind of fast that can become a huge challenge. Its not giving up sex, but to see your own actions, when you are driven by this powerful program. You'll be highly surprised, try it ! :)
Quote from: Psan
Next and most difficult is to control the urge of mating. Abstaining from sex is a kind of fast that can become a huge challenge. Its not giving up sex, but to see your own actions, when you are driven by this powerful program. You'll be highly surprised, try it ! :)
how about masturbation??
Its more or less the same thing. But it comes in the category of acquired habits rather than natural programs. (E.g. drugs, smoking etc). There is nothing wrong in it, as long as it is used as valve, to release the desire so that one can concentrate on important things.
Its very easy to acquire because its so convenient, and there are not many deterrents here.
If you find yourself in this loop, the practical thing to do is to find an alternative way of fulfilling the need. Like finding a partner or to go for paid sex. Or practice all the three together. Once you have so many alternatives, this loop will become weak, divide and conquer.
When you feel that the program is getting weaker, try to eliminate it. Next, try the usual abstaining from sex, the hassle of maintaining a partner and the worry of maintaining your bank balance will help you ;)
Again, my opinion is that one should not try to repress it. Only see it.....and become your own master.
I'm interested in trying fasting maybe just for a day. Besides for it slowing my metabolism my only other concern is losing muscle mass. I've read from many weight lifting and fat loss sources that starving and not eating enough leads to losing muscle.
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That's good to hear about fasting and muscle loss. I'm going to try it soon maybe just with some whey protein powder on my first attempt but that would probably be considered cheating.
I agree that fad diets are no good. They may temporarily help with weight loss but they don't work in the long run. It's best to just eat generally healthy and cut out junk from your diet. That hussman.org link looks good. I'm doing the HIIT cardio that is discussed there, and high intensity weight lifting, which is good for losing fat and building muscle, plus there is no need for overtraining.