On Fasting
Great website for the low down on Fasting
"Fasting is the single greatest natural healing therapy. It is nature's ancient, universal 'remedy' for many problems. Animals instinctively fast when ill. When I first discovered fasting, 15 years ago, I felt as if it had saved my life and transformed my illnesses into health. My stagnant energies began flowing, and I became more creative and vitally alive. I still find fasting both a useful personal tool and an important therapy for many medical and life problems."
..."In other words, fasting is a multidimensional experience. Physiologically, refraining from eating minimizes the work done by the digestive organs, including the stomach, intestines, pancreas, gallbladder, and liver. Most important here is that our liver, our body’s large production and metabolic factory, can spend more time during fasting cleaning up and creating its many new substances for our use. Breakdown of stored or circulating chemicals is the basic process of detoxification. The blood and lymph also have the opportunity to be cleaned of toxins as all the eliminative functions are enhanced with fasting. Each cell has the opportunity to catch up on its work; with fewer new demands, it can repair itself and dump its waste for the garbage pickup. Most fasters also experience a new vibrancy of their skin and clarity of mind and body."
"Although the process of fasting may generate various results, depending on the individual condition of the faster, there are clearly a number of common metabolic changes and experiences. First, fasting is a catalyst for change and an essential part of transformational medicine. It promotes relaxation and energization of the body, mind and emotions, and supports a greater spiritual awareness. Many fasters feel a letting go of past actions and experiences and develop a positive attitude toward the present. Having energy to get things done and clean up old areas, both personal and environmental, without the usual procrastination is also a common experience. Fasting clearly improves motivation and creative energy; it also enhances health and vitality and lets many of the body systems rest."
..."In other words, fasting is a multidimensional experience. Physiologically, refraining from eating minimizes the work done by the digestive organs, including the stomach, intestines, pancreas, gallbladder, and liver. Most important here is that our liver, our body’s large production and metabolic factory, can spend more time during fasting cleaning up and creating its many new substances for our use. Breakdown of stored or circulating chemicals is the basic process of detoxification. The blood and lymph also have the opportunity to be cleaned of toxins as all the eliminative functions are enhanced with fasting. Each cell has the opportunity to catch up on its work; with fewer new demands, it can repair itself and dump its waste for the garbage pickup. Most fasters also experience a new vibrancy of their skin and clarity of mind and body."
"Although the process of fasting may generate various results, depending on the individual condition of the faster, there are clearly a number of common metabolic changes and experiences. First, fasting is a catalyst for change and an essential part of transformational medicine. It promotes relaxation and energization of the body, mind and emotions, and supports a greater spiritual awareness. Many fasters feel a letting go of past actions and experiences and develop a positive attitude toward the present. Having energy to get things done and clean up old areas, both personal and environmental, without the usual procrastination is also a common experience. Fasting clearly improves motivation and creative energy; it also enhances health and vitality and lets many of the body systems rest."
So last year right after my birthday I did a four day fast. Kevin and I were living on Arnold and I decided I wanted to do an experimental 'fast' mainly because I never had before. It was a long four days but I found it to be not just cleansing, but incredibly interesting. It was interesting to note the different changes and feelings in my body and to note my mental feelings and how they were affected by the loss of food. Interesting to feel physical sensations so far and removed from my Westerner's knowledge base... to sample in the most miniscule of terms, the sensations experienced daily and without the sure knowledge of an end date nor option to cease, by millions of millions of citizens of the world.
I have decided to fast again this year and like very much the timing of beginning my fast on the first of November. I like the tradition of having a full and decadent Halloween followed by a four day cleansing period into winter and the beginning phases of a new year cycle. It is reminiscent in some strangely appealing (for an anti-religion girl such as myself) ritualistic manner, of Mardi Gras and Lent, and seems like a highly appropriate time for a fast. (I also like that the break fast falls on my dear sweet friend's birthday!)
I encourage all reading this to join me.
I have decided to fast again this year and like very much the timing of beginning my fast on the first of November. I like the tradition of having a full and decadent Halloween followed by a four day cleansing period into winter and the beginning phases of a new year cycle. It is reminiscent in some strangely appealing (for an anti-religion girl such as myself) ritualistic manner, of Mardi Gras and Lent, and seems like a highly appropriate time for a fast. (I also like that the break fast falls on my dear sweet friend's birthday!)
I encourage all reading this to join me.
2 Comments:
I haven’t started the fasting yet, as I had/have far too many perishables in my fridge… seriously, but I am looking forward to it. I’m thinking Monday.
How’s it going for you???
it's fascinating... it really is...
i'm suprisingly UN hungry... I am even making sausages in garlic butter to add to the sauce for K's dinner...
i found this kick ass lemon ginger tea
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