How many of y'all fast? Not in the "Oh G-d I want a brand new corvette" but Fasting to make your flesh submit to your spirit?To bring you closer to G-d insted making G-d a gaint wish list? It just feels real good and refreshing after a fast(of what ever) It also feels good knowing that you manged to make your desiers and flesh submit to you and not your cravings! So how many of y'all fast and what reasons?
I've never fasted. I was wondering today what the point was. It feels good? I know I could fast for a long time, but I also know that people would be on my back about not eating. Not sure if it's worth the hassle.
The satisfaction comes knowing that your one step closer to being in control of your flesh and not vice versa. I belive when your flesh is in submission your Spirit can prosper which is always good lol! Fasting isn't just related to food though. If you watch tv all day and it consumes you then don't watch any tv for however long. Your telling your flesh that you are in control and not the desiers and addictions.
fasted every day when i did voluntary work - alotta people said 'what the fuck are you working for no money for?' - is that a good question? my answer was 'to work at something worthwhile' - saving wildlife - i dunno to me in my crazy brain was worth starving for - even if just for a year
I haven't fasted anything for a year or close to it. I am trying to do a "life style" fast I think its called. For an example eating, if you eat alot in large amounts only eat a plate instead of your 2 or 3.
The problem I find nowadays with fasts (mainly Lent) is that people often seem to use it as a extra chance at a New Years Resolution.. Fasting can also entail taking something extra on for example working at a soup kitchen, or going to church everyday to light incense or candles an say a prayer if that is your thing. The thing I have against your TV example is that you don't enjoy the TV to begin with, so it isn't a (whats the word...) sacrifice to give it up because you WANT to give it up. However if you give up your own time to do something for others for no pay or devote time 100% to God (like and example I found out last week is that during Petrivka, the fast before Peter and Paul Day in the Eastern Rite calander, no dances were held in the community halls of the Ukrainian-Canadian farmsteaders [I just finished a course on them]) , then I'd say that is a more meaningful fast. EDIT: That being said, I've never fasted, so who am I to judge.
i've tried to fast. i don't have the self control. i really want to just dump myself off in the woods somewhere with a tent and some water so i can't give in. i'm addicted to the internet, music, books, and food, and i don't remember the last time i've gone a whole day without at least two of them. i really want to try though.
Note with my TV example I said CONSUME ie addicted. I don't enjoy tv that much so I don't fast from it I meant that along the lines that people who HAVE to watch their show and HAVE to spend 8+hrs infront of it. Sorry for the confusion
I've been wanting to try a fast, but never have done it. I worry about how I'd have energy for work, because I can't take time off.
If you want to do a food fast try the Daniel Fast. http://www.michaelmain.com/daniel.html GUIDELINES FOR DANIEL FAST (Foods We May Eat) Whole Grains: Brown Rice, Oats, Barley Legumes: Dried Beans, Pinto Beans, Split Peas, Lentils, Black Eyed Peas Fruits: Apples, Apricots, Bananas, Blackberries, Blueberries, Boy- senberries, Cantelope, Cherries, Cranberries, Oats, Figs, Grapefruit, Grapes, Guava, Honeydew Melon, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mangoes, Nectarines, Papayas, Peaches, Pears, Pineapples, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Rasberries, Strawberries, Tangeloes, Tangerines, Watermelon Vegetables: Artichokes, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Chili Peppers, Corn, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Garlic, Gingerroot, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Mustard Greens, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Potatoes, Radishes, Rutabagas, Scallions, Spinach, Sprouts, Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, Tomatoes, Turnips, Watercress, Yams, Zucchini Seeds, Nuts, Sprouts Liquids: Spring Water, Distilled Water, 100% All-Natural Fruit Juices, 100% All Natural Vegetable Juices (Foods to Avoid) Meat White Rice Fried Foods Caffeine Carbonated Beverages Foods Containing Preservatives or Additives Refined Sugar Sugar Substitutes White Flour and All Products Using It Margarine, Shortening, High Fat Products
Yes, I've always found it kind of hypocrasy...you know? People chase others around, "What have you given up for Lent?" and if you choose not to share .... people hold that heir of "I'm better than you"... when I see it ...I think of Jesus telling the people to pray to God in secret instead of in public...and I think if you fast or are keeping one that you shouldn't divulge it to others...because its between you and God...and I think it loses its sacredness if you tell others....
i havent personally fasted but i know people that have. i think its just another sign to them of sacrificing themselves to God and it has shown them that God can sustain them. But i have never felt the urge spiritually to do it. Hmmm thats got me thinking, might ask some people about it. thanks for that post
Self control is a fantastic thing to have and it's what fasting gives you, it's basically about the development of self control as practiced by sadhus, monks, fakirs and other ascetic for centuries. Self control leads to an inner spiritual development aswell. I've always believed that the two things required for a good life are to live as simple as possible and to have self control. Like most people I'm nowhere near the full realisation of this, but I'm striving towards it.
