More About Fasting
These two books are recommended for learning more about fasting and how to undergo a safe fast. Please do not attempt fasting without first educating yourself. There are different kinds of fasts to serve different purposes, guidelines for what to do and not do during a fast, and it is important to understand how to safely break a fast.
“The facts are that fasting has been practiced by man and womankind, as well as by the animal world, since the beginning of time…that fasting was employed by the ancients to clear the mind and body prior to undertaking great intellectual feats…that fasting was employed throughout Biblical history before, during, and after crises as a means of purifying the spirit and drawing closer to GOD.
Fasting was resorted to in 19th Century America by medical doctors as a means for allowing the body to heal itself and as a protest against the current blood-letting, drugging, and butchery practiced by their colleagues. These American revolutionaries were the founds of the Natural Hygiene movement as we know it today…they are the pioneers who blazed the trail for present day Health Seekers.
Under these ideal conditions of proper rest, the body engages in healing processes. Dr. Shelton recognizes the four main bodily activities during fasting that contribute to this “marvelous and seemingly miraculous reversal” of pathology and wondrous restoration of Nerve Energy.
1. Excess body fat is consumed; weight loss results.
2. Energy is diverted from digestive processes to other tissues where it is needed for repair and rejuvenation.
3. Deep physiological rest is secured for every organ and system of the body: Never Energy is restored, and the normal bodily functioning is resumed.
4. Breakdown of morbid tissue and elimination of waste occur. Deposits are broken down, and tumors are autolyzed and absorbed.
Other rejuvenating effect possible during fasting may and usually do occur. For examples, the skin color becomes more youthful and acquires a better color and texture. The eyes clear up and become brighter. Normal physiological chemistry and normal secretions are reestablished. The mind is cleared and strengthened. The digestive tract empties itself of putrefactive bacteria and decomposing food. And finally, surges of newfound, restore Nerve Energy are experienced!” Victoria BidWell
The Health Seeker’s Yearbook by Victoria BidWell (click image to order)
“Many raw food teachers have also remarked on spiritual powers improving with fasting. Arnold Ehret considered fasting the master key to mental and spiritual evolution. It was said of Dick Gregory that after extensive juice dieting, he lost not only weight, but also his anger. He claimed that as fasting cleanses the body, poisons are thrown off, releasing hatred and other sick emotions.
Steve Meyerowitz writes, “You may even discover some psychic abilities as waste products from undigested food and other materials no longer interfere with nerve linkages and your vital energies are free to center in your upper chakras instead of your stomach. Conquering your appetite and desires allows you to focus your thoughts on the discovery of the “heaven” within.”
Dr. Gabriel Cousens explains that fasting accelerates the purification of the body and thus allows the physical body to be a better conductor of the kundalini energy. Fasting “improves the alignment of the chakras and subtle bodies, which makes it easier for the cosmic prana to enter the body and increases the possibility of the awakening of the Shakti Kundalini.
Cousens goes on to describe in detail his own experience with a 40-day fast in which his mind “dissolved into the Light of GOD” and four hours of meditation seemed to go by in a few minutes. His crown chakra became one “whirling vortex of energy” connecting him with the dance of the cosmos.”
The Live Food Factor by Susan Schenck (click image to order)
