Fasting, eh? What’s that then?

Fasting is usually associated with the denial of food and/or water for a period of time with the intention of disciplining the body. The aim is usually the pursuit of spiritual strength, perceived as being the ability to resist the temptation to give in to the fast. Fasting is often expressed as a means to escape becoming enslaved to our appetites.

It’s a practice that was once popular in Christian Europe but which since the Reformation has fallen into disuse. Great Lent, the 40-day fast before Easter, has become the denial of chocolate (if anything at all) in the West. The situation elsewhere in the world is, however, that fasting is alive and well.

From the Orthodox Christian Church to the Hindu Yogis, fasting is a practice recommended by most religions for the taming of the senses and the self-discipline.

This post presents five simple tips for those who want to start fasting. It has to be said, however, that if you are beginning a food-based fast that you should seek medical advice… or at least accept responsibility for your own health in doing so.

1. Start Small

Total denial of food and drink is too much for the beginner. In fact, denial of food might be too much for the beginner.

Consider setting a period of time, perhaps a day, in which you deny something that you feel you enjoy. That might be eating meat and fish, or watching TV, or (if you are like me) using your iPad or phone.

The aim is to slowly increase the degree of your fast (how much you deny yourself) over time.

It’s going to be unhealthy and dangerous to go from a steak-eating rabidly carnivorous diet to a vegan-style diet in a single day. Start small and make small steps as you master each challenge.

2. Set a Regular Rule

Set a regular time (or times) for your fasting. Do it once or twice a week, for instance.

Set a standard that you are aiming for. Perhaps you wish to eventually have two vegetarian days in the week. Start small, perhaps ceasing eating meat at first, and progress towards your goal.

Be patient with yourself… but also discipline yourself to reach for the rule.

If you are part of a faith, seek advice from your priest / mentor. It’s even better if the rule (or standard) is externally set and fits in with the community that you are part of. True spirituality often includes sacrifice to an outside standard.

3. Don’t Just Focus on Food

Consider the things in your life that “enslave” you… or at least the things you feel you can’t live without.

Looking at your lifestyle it may be that you are “addicted” to phones, TV, gaming, alcohol, drugs, caffeine, sex… well, frankly, almost anything.

Add a day of fasting from those things which you feel are necessities. The only true necessities are air, water and food… and even water and food can be consumed in reduced quantities.

4. Use the Fast as an Opportunity

When giving up meat, for example, there exists the opportunity to try out some new vegetable dishes. In giving up TV there is the chance to spend more time conversing with the family or friends. In giving up the phone there exists the opportunity to practice prayer or meditation in all the saved minutes you’re not texting.

The fast is not a negative. It’s a positive opportunity.

Hindu and Buddhist monks spend the time meditating. Christians spend the time in prayer. How will you?

5. Don’t Beat Yourself Up

Did you slip? Ok. Well… don’t give up. Get back in the saddle and stick to your rule.

Are you worrying about whether you are “doing it right”? Stop. Focus on doing it… and allow yourself the time to grow into the fast. See Rule 1.

Slower progress is better than no progress.

Ask for forgiveness, if you feel you need it, but don’t beat yourself up.