fasting

[Phantaja]

Talk to me about fasting in prayer. How long does a fast typically last? When you don't eat, is it something that carries over from day to day, or do you eat in the evening? Or does that defeat the purpose.

I'm trying to prayerfully fast, but I caved & ate some tomatoes with cheese and sour cream at about nine last night. I'm having liquids and gum during the day.

I could use some guidance and support.

[Bluegoat]

There are different traditions for fasting. If you belong to one, it can be nice to keep that tradition, if not, I think it's just important to pick some consistent program.

Length can vary. Also, fasting can be partial or complete. Logically enough, the longer periods tend to be less complete. So a day long fast, which might be 12 or 24 hours, might involve no food, only water or clear liquids. (If you are like me, and faint, a light breakfast, preferably before sun-up, might be included.)

If you are fasting for a week or a month, there are options. You might cut out wine, meat, or fats. You might eat only one meal a day, or one main meal and one light meal. You might allow normal food one day of the week in a very long fast. Conversely, you might do a "light" fast one day of every week.

It's pretty typical to cut out alcohol, rich foods, fats, eggs, and desserts in a fast. Also all sex. And very often other purely fun or frivolous pursuits, like parties or dancing. The idea is devote oneself to prayer or meditation, otherwise it simply becomes an exercise in self-aggrandizement.

Some people also do things to make themselves uncomfortable, like give up prayer kneelers or wear a hair shirt, and some exotic people will hang themselves from hooks and so on. This sort of thing is perhaps not for beginners though, and the hooks are a bad idea in general, IMO.

[Tradd]

Originally Posted by Phantaja

Talk to me about fasting in prayer. How long does a fast typically last? When you don't eat, is it something that carries over from day to day, or do you eat in the evening? Or does that defeat the purpose.

I'm trying to prayerfully fast, but I caved & ate some tomatoes with cheese and sour cream at about nine last night. I'm having liquids and gum during the day.

I could use some guidance and support.

I'm an Orthodox Christian. The below link gives our fasting traditions. I follow these. When we say fast, we really mean abstinence from certain types of food. But you're not supposed to gorge yourself on fasting days, either! Basically, we go vegan for about half the year. Every Wednesday and Friday, 40 days of Great Lent, all of Holy Week, 40 days before Christmas, and two other time periods (the Apostles Fast after Pentecost and the Dormition Fast the first two weeks of August in honor of the Virgin Mary), and a few other special days.

http://www.oca.org/OCFasting.asp?SID=2

The guidelines are simple enough. On certain days during fasting times, say weekends during the Christmas Fast, you can have fish, for example. Or on Great Feasts (such as the Transfiguration of Christ that falls during the Dormition Fast), you have fish.

There are fast-free periods, too, after a Great Feast - such as Bright Week (the week after Pascha/Easter), or this week, which is the week after Pentecost, known as Trinity Week.

[Tradd]

I should add that the Orthodox spiritual disciplines are founded on the "little trinity" of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

One without the other two aren't effective. You give the money you save by eating simpler to the poor. More prayer than usual, too.

ETA: forgot to include about the fast before receiving Holy Communion. We fast from *everything* (including sex, if you're married!) food wise, from midnight the night before receiving Communion. For the occasional evening Liturgy, we fast from either breakfast or lunch (depends on your strength and what your priest advises).

[xekomaya]

I suppose what your intentions are should have a lot to do with how you fast and what rules you stick to. Knowing the rules, why you've set them (or why they exist), and then following them is just as important as "not eating" because not eating until you cave doesn't give you a big spiritual boost, as does succeeding with difficult to follow guidelines.

Catholics have a Eucharistic fast - traditionally from midnight the night before from all food and water, but more recently has been defined as a minimum of 1 hour prior to receiving communion.

We also fast on certain Holy days, water is allowed, as is one light meal, or two larger snacks that don't equal a meal combined. More devout persons depending on the duties of their status, may forgo water and food all together for those days, but its not required.

I think the only two days of the year that combines fasting and abstinence (from meat in our case) are Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, so when Catholics say fast, they usually mean just fast.

Fasting on required days can also be an exercise in humility because you *are* weaker and unable to do as much work, in that regard, Catholics are also to decide the appropriateness of fasting on optional days in light of their obligations. For example, Mother Theresa was ordered to eat a minimum amount of food, because she may have out of her love for God as some of the other Great Saints did.

Did that help at all?

[Magelet]

I've done a few types of fasts before, both incredibly powerful if done right.

I did a vision quest fast, which was seven days of light food, and in the middle of that, a complete, water only, solo in the wilderness fast of three days. It was one of the most intense and powerful experiences of my life.

I also fast on some jewish holidays/fasts (yom kippur), which is a total fast for about 25 hours. its supposed to not even be water I think, but I have low blood pressure, so I need to drink water. This is far better and more rewarding if done in accompnyment to prayer and synagogue attendence. I've fasted before on yom kippur while going about daily activities, and the benefits are small.

basically, I think fasting by itself isn't much good. you need something that takes you out of your day to day life and into a spiritual mode, while you fast. whether that is church, temple, hiking, sitting in the wilderness, or in a sacred space place indoors or out, the place and intention of the people around you must match yours.

[lilyka]

I have to be really quick here so I might expound on this later . . .

1. first seek out counsel from a spiritual counselor or mentor.
2. start small. fasting is a discipline. if you make your fast too hard you will likely cave. if abstaining during the day and eating light works for you but still challeneges you, encourages you to prayer, then by all means do that. My church fasts according to a very set tradition but everyone is on their own path and works with their Spiritual father to set a fast within the guidelines that work for them. Since I am fairly new to the church and have several big obsticles in my life I am not expected to keep the fast as strictly as others. This also helps me from becoming pridful or legallistic in regards to my fasting.
3. why are you fasting? what are you hoping to achieve? spiritual discipline? do you want something from God? are you shooting for growth? looking dfor a deeper level? you need to know what your goal is before you fast.

[kimiij]

I agree with lilyka when she says that fasting is a discipline. For the longest time I didn't participate in this discipline b/c I love to eat!

I usually do 24 hour fasts (6PM one day to 6PM the next day). I have also done 12 hour fasts also.

The key to fasting is that you are replacing the times you normally eat with times of prayer/bible reading/meditation/scripture meditation, etc. If you normally would eat 3 20-minute meals in one 12 hour period, instead of eating those 3 20-minute meals, pray and read the bible for 20-minutes 3 times that day.

By replacing your eating times with prayer you are focusing your mind on God which is the purpose of the fast and also taking your mind off of food so that you won't eat. Pray for whatever it is you're fasting "for" and also pray that the Lord would help you to continue your fast.

Don't feel like you've failed just b/c you've eaten. Fasting is a spiritual discipline and that means it's hard!

[OkiMom]

It depends on your religion on your health. For example in my religion (Im LDS) we generally fast the first Sunday of every month and abstain from all food and drink for the period of 24 hours. We are encouraged to fast with a purpose (whatever question you are looking for or for a special reason) and to donate whatever money we would have spent on the food to the church so they can use it to feed people who don't have money to feed themselves.

However, its also acknowledge that some people can't fast for long periods of time because of medical reasons. Its pretty much discouraged that pregnant and nursing mothers fast because of the fact they are substaining another life. Personally I was told by the missionaries that taught me and my bishop when I was baptised to be very careful of fasting and fast for shorter periods of time because I get very faint when I don't eat and I will pass out and get severe migranes from not eating. The purpose is to draw closer to Heavenly Father, not put yourself at risk for illness/injury.

[AutumnSunshine]

I'm Muslim. We do two types of fasts, obligatory in Ramadhan and extra fasting which can be done at any time throughout the year. The way we fast is always the same, which is we abstain from all food, drinks (including water), and other internally-taken things (like gum, cigarettes) and also from sexual activity from sunrise until sunset. So basically we can eat, drink, etc., when it's dark out only. We get up before sunrise to eat and we eat again as soon as the sun has set. In Ramadhan we do this every day for 30 days. During the rest of the year there are a couple of traditional fasting days, some recommended fasting days and also there is a tradition to fast every Monday and Thursday. Of course those who are too young, ill, traveling, pregnant, menstruating, breastfeeding, or otherwise physically/medially/etc. unable are exempted. We are also expected to generally try to be on our best behavior during fasting and refrain from getting angry, aggressive, etc.

Most of us find that fasting becomes easier with experience. If you tried one day and then broke down and ate something, you can try again the next day. (Of course you would I guess have to adopt a sunrise-sunset schedule rather than a 24 hour schedule to do that.)

HTH

[Bluegoat]

Originally Posted by UmmZaynab

I'm Muslim. We do two types of fasts, obligatory in Ramadhan and extra fasting which can be done at any time throughout the year. The way we fast is always the same, which is we abstain from all food, drinks (including water), and other internally-taken things (like gum, cigarettes) and also from sexual activity from sunrise until sunset. So basically we can eat, drink, etc., when it's dark out only. We get up before sunrise to eat and we eat again as soon as the sun has set. In Ramadhan we do this every day for 30 days. During the rest of the year there are a couple of traditional fasting days, some recommended fasting days and also there is a tradition to fast every Monday and Thursday. Of course those who are too young, ill, traveling, pregnant, menstruating, breastfeeding, or otherwise physically/medially/etc. unable are exempted. We are also expected to generally try to be on our best behavior during fasting and refrain from getting angry, aggressive, etc.

Most of us find that fasting becomes easier with experience. If you tried one day and then broke down and ate something, you can try again the next day. (Of course you would I guess have to adopt a sunrise-sunset schedule rather than a 24 hour schedule to do that.)

HTH

I have a question with fasting during Ramadhan - I've noticed it seems to be customary, during the night and evening, in at least some places, to have big feats and parties throughout the period. It's always struck me that this could easily make the fasting in the day less useful, in that it could easily obscure the point. Is this a cultural or religious custom? Are their guidelines?

[Baha'iMama]

Originally Posted by Bluegoat

I have a question with fasting during Ramadhan - I've noticed it seems to be customary, during the night and evening, in at least some places, to have big feats and parties throughout the period. It's always struck me that this could easily make the fasting in the day less useful, in that it could easily obscure the point. Is this a cultural or religious custom? Are their guidelines?

That depends on what the point is. In Islam (and in my religion, the Baha'i Faith), the point is to be obedient to God's laws, in which He has instructed us to fast for a certain amount of time at a certain time of the year. So we do, because we love God. What His motivations are in asking us to do this may be speculated upon endlessly, but the ultimate reason for most Muslims, and Baha'is too, is that God told us to. Feasting at the times when we may in no way obscures our fundamental love and obedience.

[Liquesce]

Originally Posted by Bluegoat

I have a question with fasting during Ramadhan - I've noticed it seems to be customary, during the night and evening, in at least some places, to have big feats and parties throughout the period. It's always struck me that this could easily make the fasting in the day less useful, in that it could easily obscure the point. Is this a cultural or religious custom? Are their guidelines?

It is generally advised to not overindulge, to not sleep excessively during the day, and to use the waking hours of the night for prayer more than parties. Which is advised the rest of the year too, come to think of it ... just that good efforts are magnified during Ramadan. That said, like Baha'iMama indicated, a huge part of the point is just meeting the minimum requirements ... everything else is extra credit. And regardless, Islam is a social religion -- the act of gathering together as a family or community for breaking fasts is encouraged, and while overeating is discouraged AFAIK there is no religious advantage in choosing plain porridge over a more elaborate spread so long as the point of the spread isn't showing off.

[smeisnotapirate]

Originally Posted by Liquesce

And regardless, Islam is a social religion -- the act of gathering together as a family or community for breaking fasts is encouraged, and while overeating is discouraged AFAIK there is no religious advantage in choosing plain porridge over a more elaborate spread so long as the point of the spread isn't showing off.

I like the way you explained that. Jews tend to do the same thing.

Jewish fasting falls under a few different categories.

The "monthly" fast days start at dawn and end at sundown. No food or drink, and pregnant, menstruating, and nursing women are exempt.

Tisha B'Av (the destruction of the temple) is a major fast. We cannot wear leather, bathe, study Torah, have sex, eat, drink, or sit in a chair. This also includes pregnant and nursing women.

Yom Kippur is a total fast. Sundown on Erev Yom Kippur to sundown the next day. No sex, water, food, or drink. Pregnant and nursing women must still fast, though they are exempted from attending services in order to do so. Of course, if your pregnancy is not routine, you can consult your rabbi. But this is the only Torah-ordained fast we have, so it is the most important.

There is another fast before Pesach (Passover) that is only applicable to firstborn males.

ETA: In Jewish fasts, once you break the fast (out of need, of course), you are free to eat for the rest of the day. I agree that the people around you should be prayerful and fasting while going about daily activities (for me) accomplishes next to nothing.

[kcstar]

As a Catholic post-Vatican II, we are advised to fast for 1 hour before taking Communion. My family fasted the hour before Mass began. For a usual (~1 hour mass), this isn't a huge burden, but pregnant women and those with illnesses/medical conditions are exempt.

We also abstain from meat on Ash Wednesday and every Friday during Lent. Fish is allowed.

There are certain days for fasting, including Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Fasting is defined as eating one ~regular (simple, not heavy) meal, and two light meals that combined add up to about one regular meal. Children under seven are supposed to be exempt from both, although abstinence from meat isn't too huge.

We usually did this while going about our day in a prayerful manner. Often the days would coincide with attending Mass.

As a Pagan, there is still a place for fasting for those who choose. The form may vary depending on the tradition one follows. Where Christians celebrate Lent as a time for fasting, cleansing, and self-reflection, Pagans may prefer to do these activities in the darker seasons: between Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice on the solar cycle, during the waning-to-dark moon on the lunar cycle.

Reconstructionists would follow the traditions of the culture they are attempting to re-create.

For certain big ceremonies such as Initiations, Pagans may undergo a "no-kill" fast, eating somewhere on the vegetarian-to-vegan spectrum for a period of time.

Before my eclectic Wiccanesque Initiation ritual, we did a graduated fast. About two weeks before, I dropped meat. One week before, I dropped milk & eggs. One or two days before, I ate only fruits & vegetables. The day of, it was clear liquids: maybe juice, mostly water. I'm a social drinker, usually 1-2 drinks per sitting, maybe 2 times per year. So while I certainly abstained from alcohol during this period, it wasn't particularly outside my normal routine.

In addition to looking at your own spiritual traditions, I would also suggest looking into your reasons for fasting. I understand it should be easy to find "detox diets" on the internet, if cleansing is what you want, but I would not recommend staying on one of those for long periods of time.

[Liquesce]

Originally Posted by smeisnotapirate

The "monthly" fast days start at dawn and end at sundown. No food or drink, and pregnant, menstruating, and nursing women are exempt.

I didn't know Judaism did the dawn-to-dusk no food/no water fasts too.