Saturday, July 23, 2011

GO FAST!

My mind is on fasting these days.  Taking inspiration from the documentary "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead", Harry and I are committed to a ten-day juice fast.  The film recommends the fast to "reboot" physically, and finish with a fresh resolve to eat and live better. 

"The best of all medicines are resting and fasting."  
Benjamin Franklin


 I am hoping to feel better as I progress in this experiment.  But, further, I hope this will be a good opportunity to re-align my life spiritually.


"Jesus has many lovers of His kingdom of heaven, but he has few bearers of His Cross. Many desire His consolation, but few desire His tribulation. He finds many comrades in eating and drinking, but He finds few hands who will be with Him in His abstinence and fasting...But those who love Jesus purely for Himself, and not for their own profit or convenience, bless Him as heartily in temptation and tribulation and in all other adversities as they do in time of consolation. And if He never sent them consolation, they would still bless and praise Him." 
Thomas a Kempis


“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.  But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." 
Matthew 6:16-18

"Our greatest victories are won on our knees and with empty stomachs."
Julio C. Ruibal


"Fasting confirms our utter dependence upon God by finding in Him a source of sustenance beyond food."
Dallas Willard 

"Seek the angel of fresh air, the angel of water, the angel of sunlight, and the angel of the earth, and invite them to stay with you throughout the fast!"
from the writings of the Essenes


"I often observe in fasting participants that. . .concentration seems to improve, creative thinking expands, depression lifts, insomnia stops, anxieties fade, the mind becomes more tranquil, and a natural joy begins to appear. It is my hypothesis that when the physical toxins are cleared from the brain cells, mind-brain function automatically and significantly improves, and spiritual capacities expand."   Gabriel Cousens MD

1 comment:

Harry and Flora said...

i thought the movie was inspiring. we've been juicing for five days now. it's going very well. i don't feel hungry at all, but i miss meal time. this is not cheap however. you would not believe how much produce we've gone through! harry, too, has been faithful to the plan.