Fasting

“To love fasting…” –The Rule of St. Benedict

One of the core disciplines for life in the Spirit is fasting. Solitude, silence, prayer, study, and scripture memorization/meditation are central of course to any program of Christian growth, but today what is less understood is the place that fasting has in the life of the believer. While not an authority on such matters (I will defer to Willard and Foster), it may be helpful to some if I describe what I do know about practicing fasting.

Like all the disciplines, there is more than one reason to pursue fasting. I would argue that there are key reasons that a Christian in particular should fast, but I should mention the general effects on the mind, soul, and body which will be experienced by anyone who attempts to make this a part of his or her life. Undoubtedly there are more reasons than I am mentioning here.

For anyone, fasting increases the sensitivity of the mind– both in thought and in feeling. One is more sensitive during the fast, but increasingly so at all times after one has made fasting a habit. Extended fasting (e.g. three days) can in fact make it possible for the basic ideas of the mind to be altered, for better or for worse. Thus we want to be in the presence of good ideas and images when we first attempt such a lengthy task. Because of these effects on the mind, fasting was a part of most Greek and Roman educational plans in the ancient world, as well as in the Christian Philosophy of the first few centuries A.D. The Hebrew prophets and Christian saints fasted in part because it can actually open the mind to visions of things beyond our normal experience.

The body too receives good things from a fast. Although, as everyone knows, when one first goes without food one feels miserable and weak, those experienced in fasting actually find a certain strength, as the soul begins to recover and fill the body. Apparently those who are advanced in the practice of fasting feel a special rejuvenation through it.

The soul of man is not in full health when one first starts to practice spiritual/ philosophical disciplines. But as we fast (and do other things) the soul begins to be purified from some of the corruption that inhabits it. This leads to an improvement in our overall quality of life.

The spirit too gains strength and determination as it acts upon the body without the energy that comes through food.

Because of these general effects of fasting on the soul, body, mind, and spirit, fasting is found in virtually every religion: from Buddhism, Taoism, and Hinduism, to Native American religion, and the more familiar Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. Ancient religion, including classical paganism and classical Philosophy, heavily incorporated fasting in their programs for delivering the mind from ignorance and purifying the soul from the structures of evil that inhabit it under normal conditions.

The Christian of course has greater resources than these general ones when he or she fasts. To those who believe, Christ and His Spirit begin to fill the body and bring to the surface the evil in our wills. This is not always pleasant, but usually the lasting effects are well worth the effort. The Word of God, both as Christ and the Scriptures, has a spiritual energy and order to it. When one uses fasting in conjunction with study and meditation on the Scriptures one finds strength that one never knew was there. The way that fasting opens up the mind makes meditation a more profitable experience for several days after the fast.

The second benefit that a Christian receives from fasting is in conjunction with work and service: spiritual power. As Jesus said “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me.” This power is primarily a matter of God’s Spirit upholding our soul, spirit, and body, but also to some extent and after some experience the Spirit proceeds out from us to those whom we serve or with whom we live.

How does one practice it? Unless one’s soul is in some state of emergency it is best to learn how to do it slowly. Choose one day a week and only have fruits and vegetables. After several weeks try skipping a meal once a week; and several weeks after that skip two. When one is fasting a full day regularly (once, twice or three times a week) one can in general experience many of the things that have been described in this post. We should be sensitive to God’s speaking to our souls and minds at this time. When one is a beginner one should be gentle, and not try to be a hero. For the first few times fast on Saturday, and get plenty of rest before, during and after. This will maximize the positive effects on the body and soul.

Some people seem to be called to extended fasts; Moses, Elijah, Jesus, and men like St. Francis went 40 days without food on some occasions. But fasting is very powerful, and one would usually be severely injured if one tried to do it for that amount of time. Unless God speaks clearly to us, we probably should limit it to a maximum of three days, and usually only one day at a time. Methodist ministers in the 18^th and 19^th centuries were required to fast twice a week, separating the two days with a day or two of eating.

I do not claim to have had all the experiences I have mentioned; much of what I have said comes from observing and listening to others, and from reading. But hopefully it can encourage some to be experimental with the practice, and to find more of God’s life through it.