I never hesitate to come out of my comfort zone and experiment with things I believe could help me improve myself and my conscience. Recently, I heard about the elusive water fast, so I did a little bit of research and found some very interesting points and decided to try it.
This is my experience of fasting during Ekadashi.
Fasting is all about mind control Fasting is the restricting of foods or certain foods for a certain amount of time. It has been practiced for thousands
of years. Water fasting is a type of fast that restricts all food apart from water.
We are so used to eating throughout the day that sometimes when we miss even one of our meals of the day, our body reacts unkindly.
It is because our body is expecting food but when we don’t follow this, the body starts freaking out. During my first water fast, I went through this
but I was committed to it so I started to look for motivation to continue. That is when I asked God to give the meal I miss out on to someone who really needs it. That really helped me to change my mindset about food and just like that I accomplished my first water fast.
My subsequent fasts became easier. Slowly my body started adapting and I found it less of a challenge to do the water fast. Now,
I feel less exhausted, more energised and serene.
I felt so many benefits:
• My senses strengthened towards food during the fast (for example I could smell strongly)
• When I broke my fast, I was able to appreciate every bite of my food more
• My mind was calmer and thoughts were more controlled
• I was more mindful and I started using my energy in a more productive way
• My body felt detoxified and I was feeling light
• As a bonus I also lost some weight
So why Ekadashi?
Normally, when observing a fast I would usually just follow a ritual I learned from my parents and fast on days that make me
feel spiritual or serene during the year, like Navaratri. But I wanted to know why we put emphasis on particular days and not others;
I wanted to know the logic and scientific reasoning behind it, especially the meaning of fasting on Ekadashi as that was what I
chose to do.
Hindus follow a lunar calendar, that is to say, we follow the phases of the moon. Most of our ancient fasting systems are
based on the different stages of the moon’s cycle of waxing (increasing) and waning (decreasing). According to the Skanda
Purana, fasting on Ekadashi (the eleventh day of the moon’s cycle) serves as preventive medicine and is very beneficial,
not only to provide physical benefits but also spiritual benefits.
In the Mahabharata, shanti parva Vyasji said to Yudhisthira that “by observing a harder vow in regards to food, a man can
wash away his sins in 3 years, by living on one meal in a month, man can be cleansed in a year, and by observing an absolute fast,
one may be cleansed within a very short time.”
The spiritual significance of fasting as explained in the Vedas and Shastras is a method of purification to understand and
to become in tune with nature. This system came from our sages’ profound knowledge to enable us to raise our consciousness
to the higher realms. It is a proven fact that fasting makes the mind calm and serene. The mind becomes more sattvic and
receptive. With fasting, if we try to engage our body and mind towards devotion, Seva, and meditation, the low sensual
consciousness can be elevated to super consciousness.
So for me, fasting is not just about the health benefits, it is also a mental exercise to control our senses in a world where
pleasures are so easily accessible. A feeling of achievement is always a booster to explore further and experience new things.
Very good analysis .Keep on .