Spiritual Fasting

Fasting

Many people have different reasons for fasting, which can include weight loss, physical healing, and spiritual healing.

During a fast the body goes through different phases. The body uses your fat storage for energy (Ketosis), which ultimately results in weight loss. This isn't a permanent fix so pick a weight loss routine and change your diet if weight is a concern.

The fast encourages your body's natural healing mechanisms, which in turn destroys or restores unhealthy cells (Yasssss self healing). It rids your body of toxins that have accumulated from your diet and the environment. 

Ever heard of toxic emotions? This rings true for people that are emotional eaters. Remember energy never dies it just transforms.

The fast quiets the body, elevates your senses, and leaves you literally with your own mind. So what are you going to do with all of those emotions, thoughts, and honestly TIME. I hope not just watch TV or be on Facebook talking about how you are fasting. You can can balance those emotions, find clarity, and establish a deeper connection with your higher power by adding meditation.

Meditation

Meditation is being alone in your own mind. You can use it to calm your thoughts if you experience anxiety, change your negative perception to a positive one, establish a sense of peace in your own head, discover answers to burning questions (it takes time, but definitely works), and connect to your higher self, spirit, the divine, God, etc.

If you are not use to mediation, do not get discouraged if day to day things pop up in your head. With repetition and practice, mediation becomes easier. You will train your mind to meditate with time.

Fasting Paired w/Mediation

During a fast the physical “you” decreases while the spiritual “you” increases, therefore, allowing for a deeper connection to the spiritual realm. The fast presents you with a perfect environment to get spiritual healing done because you are no longer distracted by the mundane. I know this to be true because even before I paired the two, I was having dreams that were opening me up to a spiritual world with messages I had not experienced since I was a child. Also, spiritual fasting made me address situations and emotions I thought I let go of.

Fasting in the Modern World of Distraction
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Being prepared can be very important when committing to such a drastic change in a daily routine, especially if you have children or live with someone. If you're like me, then you can jump and go at it cold turkey (I'm an all or nothing person).

However, some people prefer or even need to ease into fasting. This entails changing your diet and eating habits prior to fasting. Someone who has a diet heavy in animal products and/or processed foods may prefer to begin by first excluding these items from their diet. They may decide to stick to a vegetarian style diet, then begin fasting. Whatever you feel is right for you is what is best for YOU, but try not to procrastinate..

Parents and others who live with people have to be mentally prepared and commit to maintaining a fast. Food is very social and seems to always be in the forefront when dealing with others. It seems as soon as you tell people that you are intending to do a fast or are fasting they may look at you in confusion because some people genuinely do not UNDERSTAND the purpose  or don't BELIEVE in the purpose. However, keep going and trust your OWN decision.

Other people will be supportive and may even ask you how can they do the same. I recommend for people who usually struggle with discipline to find the will-power and concentrate on their ultimate goal and NOT the opinions of others. People sometimes have the tendency to influence others to postpone fasting for the sake of joining THEM in whatever THEY are doing.

Also, I am pro-research, so before you decide to dive in, do more research if you need to be fully convinced. You can even read My Spiritual Fasting Experience with the guided meditation I used. Remember, if you can control what you consume you have the ultimate control.


Tips for Spiritual Fasting

- Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

-Decide when will be the best time for you to fast. This can be one of the most difficult tasks when you have a busy life, especially if you are a very social individual. However, this is a worthy sacrifice. Nevertheless, decide on the number of days that are appropriate for you, and the beginning and end dates.

-Decide on the liquids you would like to fast with. For example, water, green detox drink, smoothies, organic juices, and herbal teas. During this fast you do not want any solid drinks or food, but you want to be WELL hydrated. Purchase all of this the day of or before you start fasting (recommended).

-Find a meditation that works for you. Check out the Trouble Meditating article for meditation techniques.  


Remember healing is not a one time thing, healing is an everyday task and it actually takes work. At the end of it all it is about self love.