Different religions' perspectives on fasting in general

Unveiled Artist · Sep 2, 2015

I was thinking of puting fasting as part of my spiritual habits. Yet, I always thought (with little knowledge and experience on the subject) that when one is spiritualy intune, he or she will take care of himself--geting enough food being one of the main things we need to live. Depriving oneself of food is somewhat doing the opposite of what our body intends to live with the natural cycles and charish life as a Buddha.

However, I know many religions fast for many reasons. I have looked it up (as I do all my questions), and I wanted to know how you all view fasting, in your words please, as a part of your spiritual lifestyle? How do you see it differently than how I see it as doing quite the opposite of depriving the body of food it needs to survive? I think a veggie or vegan diet would be more appropriate because one is still getting nutrients. However, taking away food completely for some people a week excluding Fridays during Easter Season, some religions a month, and so forth.

How do you connect fasting with your spiritual practice, faith, or religion? How has it helped you if you don't mind my asking. This is more of a conversation rather than a two sentence answer.

Thanks guys!

Nam.

You can use scripture, doctrine, sutras, and so forth. I think that will give me some perspective of what you are saying in your own words.

Quintessence · Sep 2, 2015

It's not something that has a place of any significance in my religion. Could I do it for symbolic reasons for certain seasonal tides or magical purposes? Probably. But I don't really have any interest in that. There are other types of deprivation that I find far more interesting, and which do hold some place in my practice. Sleep deprivation, for example, can facilitate induction of altered states of consciousness during ritual.

Unveiled Artist · Sep 2, 2015

Quintessence said:
It's not something that has a place of any significance in my religion. Could I do it for symbolic reasons for certain seasonal tides or magical purposes? Probably. But I don't really have any interest in that. There are other types of deprivation that I find far more interesting, and which do hold some place in my practice. Sleep deprivation, for example, can facilitate induction of altered states of consciousness during ritual.

Sleep deprivation. I havent heard of that used for spiritual purposes. A lot of times I givings offerings. I find giving the Divine what one most treasure, say first portion of food, helps. Using the moon phases are common too. I was told, and it makes sense, that fasting is (in this persons case) showing God is more important than food. In other cultures, its use for cleansing the body as both body and spirit go together. Many different perspectives.

metis · Sep 2, 2015

Why is it called "fasting" when one does it the time goes by so slowly.

Unveiled Artist · Sep 2, 2015

metis said:
Why is it called "fasting" when one does it the time goes by so slowly.

Kind of like, why do we park in a drive'way and drive on a park'way. English.

Unification · Sep 4, 2015

Carlita said:
I was thinking of puting fasting as part of my spiritual habits. Yet, I always thought (with little knowledge and experience on the subject) that when one is spiritualy intune, he or she will take care of himself--geting enough food being one of the main things we need to live. Depriving oneself of food is somewhat doing the opposite of what our body intends to live with the natural cycles and charish life as a Buddha.

However, I know many religions fast for many reasons. I have looked it up (as I do all my questions), and I wanted to know how you all view fasting, in your words please, as a part of your spiritual lifestyle? How do you see it differently than how I see it as doing quite the opposite of depriving the body of food it needs to survive? I think a veggie or vegan diet would be more appropriate because one is still getting nutrients. However, taking away food completely for some people a week excluding Fridays during Easter Season, some religions a month, and so forth.

How do you connect fasting with your spiritual practice, faith, or religion? How has it helped you if you don't mind my asking. This is more of a conversation rather than a two sentence answer.

Thanks guys!

Nam.

You can use scripture, doctrine, sutras, and so forth. I think that will give me some perspective of what you are saying in your own words.

Going without something that one is attached to. One becomes hungrier for truth, wisdom, a more peaceful and restful way of life. For "spiritual" food and drink nourishment and inner growth. Not literal food and drink, as food and drink and feasting in texts refer to the things that the mind intakes.

It helps by denying oneself the things that have a stronghold on the mind and gradually teaches self control and balance.

Sees · Sep 4, 2015

I tend to use a strict-ish/disciplined diet regularly and for religious/spiritual purposes we more so use feasting rather than fasting

Gharib · Sep 4, 2015

Depriving the body from food increases one's will and control over one's desires. Muslims fast for many reasons, one of those is for spiritual purification as well as physical. Being in control of one's desires increases your spirituality. We abstain from food and feed our soul/spirit by way of worship, it makes clear to us that food doesn't increase our spiritual level. You being to understand how insignificant food is to our daily life (there is more to always eating the best type of meal). However, leaving food aside and not performing any act of worship will only result in having stayed hungry for the day and not attain any spiritual increase.

I forgot to mention that we only fast during sunlight hours and break our fast during the night. We abstain from eating, drinking and sexual acts. There are a few sayings as to what exactly our fasting entails, it is the mouth that abstains from saying what is prohibited, the ears from what is prohibited to hear, the eyes from what is prohibited to see, the hands from performing something evil, the feet from walking to (perform) something evil, etc etc.

I hope that's somewhat helpful. Don't know what else to say at this stage.

arthra · Sep 4, 2015

Carlita said:
, I know many religions fast for many reasons. I have looked it up (as I do all my questions), and I wanted to know how you all view fasting, in your words please, as a part of your spiritual lifestyle?

Baha'is generally fast during the month of 'Ala (which means "loftiness) ... in the Gregorian calendar this is from March 2nd to March 20th... The fast is for nineteen days which is the length of the Baha'i month. We fast from sunrise to sunset... and by fasting I mean we abstain from food and drink during the daylight hours. Since we end our fast on March 21st or Naw-Ruz (Baha'i New Year) the days and nights are nearly equal in length and usually this is a cool time of year.

Baha'is who are between the ages of fifteen and seventy years of age fast providing they are healthy not infirm. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding are exempt from fasting. If a Baha'i is travelling long distances during the fasting period they are exempt. If they are doing heavy manual labor they are exempt from fasting.

There are no "make-ups" in the Baha'i Fast...that is you are not obligated to fast for the days you could not fast for whatever reason.

Fasting is a spiritual obligation and no one is looking over your shoulder to see you are fasting.. Fasting is a discipline and helps people control their appetites and urges. There are also special prayers that have been revealed for the fast.

Unveiled Artist · Sep 4, 2015

Unification said:
Going without something that one is attached to. One becomes hungrier for truth, wisdom, a more peaceful and restful way of life. For "spiritual" food and drink nourishment and inner growth. Not literal food and drink, as food and drink and feasting in texts refer to the things that the mind intakes.

It helps by denying oneself the things that have a stronghold on the mind and gradually teaches self control and balance.

Thank you for that answer. I can see, for example, fasting from foods I dont need. Would it not be off balance to deprive oneself of the food we need? I know I cant fast too much given medical conditions. Since we need food, I dont see how we are "attached" to it to where it distracts us spiritually unless one is eating too much?

Glaurung · Sep 4, 2015

It's an act of spiritual self-discipline, penance and intimation of Christ. At a minimum Catholics are expected to refrain from eating one hour before taking the Eucharist and avoid meat every Lenten Friday (including Good Friday and Ash Wednesday). Of course, fasting more regularly is encouraged. I myself avoid meat every Friday. (Friday is fish and chips day).

Carlita said:
How do you see it differently than how I see it as doing quite the opposite of depriving the body of food it needs to survive?

No one is advocating self-starvation. Obviously going prolonged periods without eating at all is going to turn out very badly for you.

MARCELLO · Sep 4, 2015

I am so sorry for muslims.Majority of them dwell in hottest parts of the world and when fasting comes in summer they cannot drink water untill it is dark.

That's absolutely unhealthy.

Unveiled Artist · Sep 4, 2015

Tlaloc said:
It's an act of spiritual self-discipline, penance and intimation of Christ. At a minimum Catholics are expected to refrain from eating one hour before taking the Eucharist and avoid meat every Lenten Friday (including Good Friday and Ash Wednesday). Of course, fasting more regularly is encouraged. I myself avoid meat every Friday. (Friday is fish and chips day).

No one is advocating self-starvation. Obviously going prolonged periods without eating at all is going to turn out very badly for you.

Kind of sounds like self starvation. Im familar with the Catholic end. Fish and chips. Thats cute

Some religions its all month. Maybe self discipline to put aside the most earthly think we need? Telling God "I love Him more than food itself"? Type of thing?

I know in some Japanese cultures, Im sure its in Japanese Buddhist sects, that fasting is also akin to cleansing of the body. No sweets

soda and any animal products.

Is that kind of similar to how you view fasting or is it the food itselr rather than what types?

Unveiled Artist · Sep 4, 2015

Gharib said:
We abstain from food and feed our soul/spirit by way of worship, it makes clear to us that food doesn't increase our spiritual level.

Thank you. I like your answer. I find maybe our vulues differ or I ld like more to understand. Food doesnt increase ones spiritual level? Many cultures, at least my immediate family used to, gathered together in spiritual harmony over shared food. Unfortunetly, my family forgot their roots but the rest of my family still keeps the tradition.

Certain foods like fruits, after being offered to the Gohonzon (ourselves depicted on a scroll of the Buddha's Law) or to ourselves. I am not sure, but I believe we eat the food later on when we feel our offerings are right to be consumed. Of course, everyone is different.

I guess that is similar to fasting, offering food and first portions before we consume them ourselves. As for completely abstraining from food, that seems it will make the mind and body weak therefore hard to concentrate in prayer. At least thats what I woule think.

Learn something new daily.

Nam.

Unification · Sep 4, 2015

Carlita said:
Thank you for that answer. I can see, for example, fasting from foods I dont need. Would it not be off balance to deprive oneself of the food we need? I know I cant fast too much given medical conditions. Since we need food, I dont see how we are "attached" to it to where it distracts us spiritually unless one is eating too much?

My pleasure.

There is no need for deprivation of literal food and drink.

Indeed, it's always best to first become aware of what things the mind or body is consuming that one is attached or addicted to, that has the mind in chains and prison. Literal food and drink could be one of them. If one is aware that consumption of a particular food or drink is bad for their health or character, denying oneself of that particular would be beneficial.

It's more just desolating oneself (being in the desert/alone time) from other minds or things for awhile for the mind to be taught, purified/cleansed. That sacrifice and self denial will in turn develop inner character, self control, peace, and all sorts of awesomeness for oneself and for ones relationships with others.

NathanShepard8888 · Sep 14, 2015

Fasting won't bring you closer to God unless you correct your intentions. Some people fast from watching television, others food, and others from food and water. Don't be afraid to fail. Make sure you have a good reason like justice or mercy. The Bible says that's a true fast.

Aupmanyav · Sep 15, 2015

metis said:
Why is it called "fasting" when one does it the time goes by so slowly.

The Hindu Saint, Goswami Tulsidas, writer of a famous book, Rama Charit Manas (taken as no less than a Scripture), the colloquial version of Ramayana said:

"Bhookhe bhajan na hoy Gopala, lele apni kanthi mala."
(O Krishna (Gopala), take back your necklace of Tulsi (Holy Basil) and beads, I cannot pray with an empty stomach.)
* Krishna worshipers wear a necklace made of Holy Basil wood.

Different religions' perspectives on fasting in general

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