Fasting, a spiritual practice

Fasting is a practice that has been carried out since time immemorial in almost all cultures. At first it was carried out for basically sacred reasons. Fasting was done collectively, at certain times, with the purpose of paying homage to God or for some grace to be granted.

In fact, today that spirit is maintained in practices such as Catholic Lent or Muslim Ramadan. And with the time, It has been discovered that fasting can bring great benefits to both the body and the mind..

From many medical perspectives, It is approached as an exercise that allows the body to detoxify and contribute to the healing of different diseases. Likewise, fasting benefits the mind and spirit, as it requires a commitment to will and renunciation.

Fasting is an act of voluntary austerity. For this reason, it strengthens the mind and helps increase the ability to concentrate. In some way, it leaves the mind freer so that it can focus on knowledge and recognition of oneself. It is a test of the will that, in any case, should not be taken to the point of violating the body or the mind.

Fasting and the power of giving up

Although our society places great emphasis on deploying all potentialities towards having, the truth is that it may require many more capacities to give up. Some philosophies insist on the fact that the more a person has, the less free he is. His mind and heart must be occupied with those possessions, material and spiritual, and instead of putting them at his service, he remains tied to them.

It is said that “rich is not he who has the most, but he who needs the least.” This is true, to the extent that necessity puts us in a perspective of lack, of vulnerability.

And it is clear that much of what we need responds more to a market imposition and of society than to a real lack. However, we forget or ignore it too often and that is why many of us have become “chronic needers.”

Voluntarily depriving ourselves of food allows us to enter a new perspective. It is a practice that forces us to turn our eyes on ourselves, to perceive more clearly the signals that our body sends and to identify the emotions that accompany us.

Those who fast claim that perception and sensitivity are significantly increased. during periods of abstinence. The result of this type of practices, when carried out correctly, is very beneficial for the emotional world.

Greater power over oneself is experienced and this increases confidence and self-esteem. There is a feeling of well-being due to the achievement achieved and tolerance to frustration develops. Those who fast tend to be calmer, more self-controlled and sensitive to themselves.

Fasting and health

One of the scientists who has done in-depth research on the benefits of fasting is Mark Mattson, head of the UK neuroscience laboratory. His studies have allowed us to conclude that fasting is a healthy practice, which significantly promotes brain care.

For Mattson, Regular practice of fasting prolongs life expectancy and reduces the degenerative speed of neurons in diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. As it also reduces oxidative processes in all organs of the body and delays the appearance of chronic diseases related to aging.

But that is not all. Fasting also increases cognitive abilities and promotes the ability of neurons to establish and maintain connections between them. This is reflected in an increase in the ability to learn and a growth in memory. Mattson says that fasting offers benefits similar to those of physical and mental exercise and that it is recommended to practice it once or twice a week.

Likewise, researchers at the Heart Institute of the Intermountain Medical Center, in Utah, United States, have indicated that Fasting reduces the risk of heart disease and provides positive changes in cholesterol levels.

In this way, it is clear that fasting benefits you physically and emotionally. However, you should not forget that these types of practices must be carried out under medical supervision, especially if you suffer from an illness.

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