When Going “Fast” May Be Exactly What You Need

“What the eyes are for the outer world, fasts are for the inner.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

What’s been your experiencing with fasting?  More than 2 decades ago I started to do a water-only fast for one day each week to enhance my physical, psychological, and spiritual health.  Over time, that pattern has evolved and for the past few years, in addition to my weekly fast I added longer quarterly fasts of 3-5 days, usually done around the time of the solstices and equinoxes.  In fact, I just completed a modified 5-day fast 3 weeks ago, and the experience, as is often the case, was a powerful one.

Though some form of fasting is common in many religious traditions and scientific data indicate that various forms of water-only fasting have the potential to provide many health benefits, when I share with people that I do this, the most common response is one of either amazement (“Wow, I could never do that!”) or caution (“Isn’t that dangerous?”).  Fortunately, fasting has become more mainstream in the past 20 years, with articles being more commonplace in both the scientific literature and the popular press.

However, it’s important to acknowledge that going for an extended period without food or any caloric intake is not for everyone and may not be safe for some.  It is therefore encouraging to note that “fasting” from other activities or patterns of living can also have important physical, psychological, and spiritual benefits.  This commonly might include abstinence from social media, the news, television, or a particular habit, such as drinking alcohol or caffeine, or even from complaining.   

What any form of fasting has the potential to do is provide a break from our usual routine and allow us to be more present and aware.  We “go without” in order to recalibrate ourselves and be reminded once again that much of what we think we “need” is not only unnecessary, but often harmful or at the least, a distraction.  That has certainly been the case for me, and since the impact often “wears off” over time, repeating at regular intervals has served as a necessary and essential “reminder”.      

This week, consider what “need” or distraction in your life could use a break and whether “fasting” from it might be worth a try.  If you do, pay attention to what shows up in the space you’ve “emptied,” whether that space is in your stomach, your mind, or your schedule.  There may be an important message there for you.  You can thank me later …