CEMB
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The second kind of mental conditioning is fasting. Fasting gives the mind more control over the body. Book III, Chapter 5 on 'Fasting' explains this in more detail:
The second kind of mental conditioning is fasting. The aim of fasting is to gain greater authority over the body
so that the mind can hear the voice of the soul more clearly and respond to its commands.
Fasting is only effective when the body and the mind fast in unison, when the body rejects the object and the
mind rejects the desire to obtain that object. If the mind refuses to think about drinking alcohol then the body
shall refuse to drink alcohol. If the mind thinks about drinking alcohol then the body shall drink alcohol. Block
the desire to block the action.
There is mental fasting and physical fasting. Mental fasting is to restrain the mind from thinking wrong
thoughts. Physical fasting is to restrain the body from eating meat or drinking alcohol and from performing
sexual acts. Mental fasting cleanses thought and physical fasting cleanses the blood, flesh and organs. The
mind suffers less from the fear and pain experienced by the body the more it establishes its authority over the body.
Blessed is he who can control his desires and thus control himself. He has disciplined his mind and body.
The second kind of mental conditioning is fasting. The aim of fasting is to gain greater authority over the body
so that the mind can hear the voice of the soul more clearly and respond to its commands.
Fasting is only effective when the body and the mind fast in unison, when the body rejects the object and the
mind rejects the desire to obtain that object. If the mind refuses to think about drinking alcohol then the body
shall refuse to drink alcohol. If the mind thinks about drinking alcohol then the body shall drink alcohol. Block
the desire to block the action.
There is mental fasting and physical fasting. Mental fasting is to restrain the mind from thinking wrong
thoughts. Physical fasting is to restrain the body from eating meat or drinking alcohol and from performing
sexual acts. Mental fasting cleanses thought and physical fasting cleanses the blood, flesh and organs. The
mind suffers less from the fear and pain experienced by the body the more it establishes its authority over the body.
Blessed is he who can control his desires and thus control himself. He has disciplined his mind and body.