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Fasting is primarily the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food, drink,
or both, for a period of time. Concerning that from which one fasts, and the
period of fasting, a fast may be total or partial. It may be observed unbroken for
many uninterrupted days, or be observed only for certain periods during the day,
as is the Muslim practise during the holy month of Ramadan. Depending on the
tradition, fasting practices may forbid sexual activity as well as food, in
addition to refraining from eating certain types or groups of foods; for example,
meat may be refrained from. Medical fasting can be a way to promote
detoxification.
Fasting for religious and spiritual reasons has been a part of human custom since
pre-history. It is mentioned in the Bible, in both the Old and New Testament, the
Qur'an, the Mahabharata, and the Upanishads. Fasting is also practiced in many
other religious traditions and spiritual practices.
Contents [hide]
1 Religious fasting
1.1 Bahá'í faith
1.2 Buddhism
1.3 Fasting practice in Christianity
1.3.1 Biblical accounts of fasting
1.3.2 Denominations and groups
1.3.2.1 Charismatic
1.3.2.2 Eastern Orthodox Church
1.3.2.3 Protestant churches
1.3.2.4 Roman Catholicism
1.3.3 Latter-day Saints
1.4 Hinduism
1.5 Islam
1.6 Jainism
1.7 Judaism
1.7.1 Purpose of fasting in Judaism
1.8 Sikhism
2 Medical fasting
3 Political fasting and hunger strikes
4 Physical effects of fasting
5 Fasting in literature
6 Other
7 See also
8 References
9 External links
[edit] Buddhism
Buddhist monks and nuns following the Vinaya rules commonly do not eat each day
after the noon meal, though many orders today do not enforce this. This is not
considered a fast, but rather a disciplined regime aiding in meditation. Fasting
is generally considered by Buddhists as a form of asceticism and as such is
rejected as a deviation from the Middle way. However, the Vajrayana practice of
Nyung Ne is based on the tantric practice of Chenrezig. It is said that Chenrezig
appeared to Gelongma Palmo, an Indian nun who had contracted leprosy and was on
the verge of death. Chenrezig taught her the method of Nyung Ne in which one keeps
the eight precepts on the first day, then refrains from both food and water on the
second. Although seemingly against the Middle Way, this practice is to experience
the negative karma of both oneself and all other sentient beings and, as such, is
seen to be of benefit. Other self-inflicted harm is discouraged.
[edit] Charismatic
For Charismatic Christians fasting is undertaken at the leading of God. Fasting is
done in order to seek a closer intimacy with God, as well as an act of petition.
Some take up a regular fast of one or two days a week as a spiritual observance.
Holiness movements, such as those started by John Wesley, Charles Wesley, and
George Whitefield in the early days of Methodism, often practice such regular
fasts as part of their regimen.
Fasting during these times also includes abstention from animal products, olive
oil (or all oils, according to some Orthodox traditions), wine and spirits -- see
Eastern Orthodoxy (Fasting).
With exception of the Fifty days following Easter in the Coptic Orthodox Church
fish is not allowed during Lent , Wednesdays, Fridays and Baramon days. Other than
that Fish and Shellfish are allowed during Fasting days. See Coptic abstinence
The discipline of fasting entails that apart from Saturdays, Sundays and Holy
feasts should keep a total fast from all food and drink from midnight the night
before to a certain time in the day usually Three O'clock in the afternoon (The
hour Jesus died on the Cross) , Also it is preferred to practice the reduction of
one's daily intake of food (typically, by eating only one full meal a day). See
Coptic abstinence
Fasting can take up a significant portion of the calendar year. The idea is not to
suffer, but to use the experience to come closer to God, to realize one's excesses
and for alms giving. Fasting without prayer and almsgiving (donating the money
saved to a local charity, or directly to the poor, depending on circumstances) is
considered useless or even spiritually harmful by many Orthodox Christians.
Those desiring to receive Holy Communion keep a total fast from all food and drink
from midnight the night before.
On the other hand, churches of the Anglican Communion and some American Protestant
denominations, such as the United Methodist Church, affected by liturgical renewal
movements encourage fasting as part of both Lent and Advent, two penitential
seasons of the Liturgical Year.
Likewise, Lutheran churches encourage fasting during lent. They also encourage it
before partaking in the Eucharist, as Luther writes in his Small Catechism: Who,
then, receives such Sacrament worthily? Fasting and bodily preparation is, indeed,
a fine outward training; but he is truly worthy and well prepared who has faith in
these words: Given, and shed for you, for the remission of sins.[citation needed]
Pope Pius XII had initially relaxed some of the regulations concerning fasting in
1956. In 1966, Pope Paul VI in his apostolic constitution Paenitemini, changed the
strictly regulated Catholic fasting requirements. He recommended that fasting be
appropriate to the local economic situation, and that all Catholics voluntarily
fast and abstain. In the United States, there are only two obligatory days of fast
- Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The Fridays of Lent are days of abstinence: those
observing the practice may not eat meat. Pastoral teachings since 1966 have urged
voluntary fasting during Lent and voluntary abstinence on the other Fridays of the
year. The regulations concerning such activities do not apply when the ability to
work or the health of a person would be negatively affected.
Prior to the changes made by Pius XII and Paul VI, fasting and abstinence were
more strictly regulated. The church had prescribed that Catholics observed fasting
and/or abstinence on a number of days throughout the year.
In addition to the fasts mentioned above, Catholics must also observe the
Eucharistic Fast, which involves taking nothing but water and medicines into the
body for some time before receiving the Eucharist during the Mass. The ancient
practice was to fast from midnight until Mass that day, but as Masses after noon
and in the evening became common, this was soon modified to fasting for three
hours. Current law under Vatican II requires merely one hour of eucharistic fast,
although some Catholics still abide by the older rules.
Sunday worship meetings on Fast Sunday include opportunities for church members to
publicly express thanks and to bear their testimony of faith.
[edit] Hinduism
Fasting is a very integral part of the Hindu religion. Individuals observe
different kinds of fasts based on personal beliefs and local customs. Some are
listed below-
Some Hindus fast on certain days of the month such as Ekadasi (the eleventh day of
each lunar fortnight) or Purnima (full moon).
Certain days of the week are also set aside for fasting depending on personal
belief and favorite deity.
Thursday fast is very common in Hindu Religion of north India,They could be
Varshney, Agarwal or other caste. On Thursday devotees listen to a story before
breaking their fast. On the Thursday fast devotees also worship Vrihaspati
Mahadeva or Jupiter. They wear yellow clothes and shower yellow flowers. Meals
with yellow colour are preferred. Women worship the banana tree and water it. Food
items are made with yellow-coloured cows ghee.
Fasting during religious festivals is also very common. Common examples are
Shivaratri or the 9 days of Navratri (which occurs twice a year in the months of
April and October/November during Dussera just before Diwali, as per the Hindu
Calendar). Karwa Chauth is perhaps a form of fasting unique to the northern part
of India where married women undertake a fast for the well-being, prosperity, and
longevity of their husbands. The Fast is broken after the wife views the moon
through a sieve after sunset.
Methods of fasting also vary widely and cover a broad spectrum. If followed
strictly, the person fasting does not partake any food or water from the previous
day's sunset until 48 minutes after the following day's sunrise. Fasting can also
mean limiting oneself to one meal during the day and/or abstaining from eating
certain food types and/or eating only certain food-types. In any case, even if the
fasting Hindu is non-vegetarian, he/she is not supposed to eat or even touch any
animal products (i.e. meat, eggs)on a day of fasting. And fasting is also mean one
whole day (for those people can take) from morning until night of until the next
day too, with no food and water, or can breakfast in the evening with water, milk
and fruits too.
[edit] Islam
Main article: Sawm
In Islam, fasting for a month is an obligatory practice during the holy month of
Ramadan, from fajr (dawn), until maghrib (sunset). Muslims are prohibited from
eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual intercourse while fasting.
Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of Islam, and thus one of
the most important acts of Islamic worship. By fasting, whether during Ramadan or
other times, a Muslim draws closer to their Lord by abandoning the things they
enjoy, such as food and drink. This makes the sincerity of their faith and their
devotion to God (Arabic:Allah) all the more evident.
God says in the Qur'an that fasting was prescribed for those before them (i.e.,
the Jews and Christians) and that by fasting a Muslim gains 'taqwa', which can be
described as the care taken by a person to do everything God has commanded and to
keep away from everything that He has forbidden. Fasting helps prevent many sins
and is a shield with which the Muslim protects him/herself from jahannam (hell).
Muslims believe that fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink. It also
includes abstaining from any falsehood in speech and action, from any ignorant and
indecent speech, and from arguing and fighting, and lustful thoughts. Therefore,
fasting helps develop good behavior.
Fasting also inculcates a sense of fraternity and solidarity, as Muslims feel and
experience what their needy and hungry brothers and sisters feel. However, even
the poor, needy, and hungry participate in the fast. Moreover, Ramadan is a month
of giving charity and sharing meals to break the fast together.
While fasting in the month of Ramadan is considered fard (obligatory), Islam also
prescribed certain days for non-obligatory, voluntary fasting, such as:
[edit] Jainism
There are many types of fasting in Jainism. One is called Chauvihar Upwas, in
which no food or water may be consumed until sunrise the next day. Another is
called Tivihar Upwas, in which no food may be consumed, but boiled water is
allowed. Fasting is usually done during Paryushana but can be done during other
times. If one fasts for the eight days of Paryushana, it is called Atthai. Also,
it is common for Jains not to fast but only to limit their intake of food. When a
person only eats lentils and tasteless food with salt and pepper as the only
spices, the person is said to do Ayambil. This is supposed to decrease desire and
passion. Self-starvation by fasting is known as Sallekhana and is supposed to help
shed karma according to Jain philosophy. Another form of fasting is Santhara , the
Jain religious ritual of voluntary death by fasting. Supporters of the practice
believe that Santhara cannot be considered suicide, but rather something one does
with full knowledge and intent, while suicide is viewed as emotional and hasty.
Due to the prolonged nature of Santhara, the individual is given ample time to
reflect on his or her life. The vow of Santhara is taken when one feels that one's
life has served its purpose. The goal of Santhara is to purify the body and, with
this, the individual strives to abandon desire.
[edit] Judaism
Main article: Ta'anit
Fasting for Jews means completely abstaining from food and drink, including water.
Taking medication, or even brushing teeth is forbidden on the major fast days of
Yom Kippur and Tisha B'Av (See below), but permitted on minor fast days. Observant
Jews fast on six days of the year. With the exception of Yom Kippur, fasting is
never permitted on Shabbat, for the commandment of keeping Shabbat is biblically
ordained and overrides the later rabbinically-instituted fast days. Yom Kippur is
the only fast day which is explicitly stated in the Torah.
Yom Kippur is considered to be the most important day of the Jewish year and
fasting as a means of repentance is mandatory for every Jewish man and boy above
the age of bar mitzvah and every Jewish woman and girl above the age of bat
mitzvah. It is so vital to fast on this day, that only the very sick and women who
have just given birth may be given a dispension from a rabbi. Fasting on Yom
Kippur is considered more important than the prayers of this holy day. If one
fasts, even if one is at home in bed, one is considered as having participated in
the full religious service. In addition to fasting and prayer, Yom Kippur--as the
"Sabbath of the Sabbaths" has the same restrictions regarding "work" as the
Sabbath. Carrying outside of the home, using electricity, cooking, riding in a
car, using the telephone, writing, etc. are all forbidden. No leather shoes are
worn on this day. Men wear a white gown over their clothes, symbolic of a burial
shroud on this Day of Judgement. Women often wear a large white scarf over their
heads and do not put on make-up or Jewelry. The aura of the day is serious,
humble, sacred and repentant yet happy in the knowledge that sincere repentance
brings redemption.
The second major day of fasting is Tisha B'Av, the day nearly 2000 years ago on
which the Romans destroyed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and the Jews were banished
from their homeland. Tisha B'Av ends a period of nine days in which Jews do not
participate in happy events, wash clothes, eat meat except on the Sabbath, cut
hair or swim. In general, these nine days and to some extent the entire three
weeks before Tisha B'Av are considered a time of danger for Jews. Historically,
this timeframe has been ripe with persecutions and other tragic events. Unlike the
fast of Yom Kippur, there are no restrictions on activities, although one should
try to avoid doing regular work the first part of the day, sit in a low chair or
on the floor, and wear no leather shoes. This is also the day when Orthodox Jews
remember the many tragedies which have befallen the Jewish people, including the
Holocaust. The atmosphere of this holiday is serious and deeply sad.
Both of these holy days are considered major fasts and are observed from sunset to
sunset the following day by both men and women. The remaining four fasts are
considered minor and fasting is only observed from sunrise to sunset. Men must
observe them, and women should observe them, but a rabbi may often give
dispensions if the fast represents too much of a hardship to a sick or weak
person.
On the two major fast days it is also forbidden to engage in any sexual relations,
wash or bathe, apply cosmetics or creams, and even wear leather shoes, which are
considered a symbol of extravagance. Partial or total exemptions apply in many
cases for those who are ill, those for whom fasting would pose a medical risk,
pregnant women, and nursing mothers. Those who would be endangered from fasting
are forbidden to do so, as endangering one's life is against a core principle of
Judaism.
Aside from these official days of fasting, Jews may take upon themselves personal
or communal fasts, often to seek repentance in the face of tragedy or some
impending calamity. For example, a fast is observed if the scrolls of the Torah
are dropped. The length of the fast varies, and some Jews will reduce the length
of the fast through tzedakah, or charitable acts.
Be glad with Jerusalem, and exult in her, all those who love her; rejoice with her
in celebration, all those [who were] mourners over her.
The third purpose in fasting is commemorative gratitude. Since food and drink are
corporeal needs, abstinence from them serves to provide a unique opportunity for
focus on the spiritual. Indeed, the Midrash explains that fasting can potentially
elevate one to the exalted level of the Mal'achay HaSharait (ministering angels)
(Pirkei d'Rabbi Eliezer, 46). This dedication is considered appropriate gratitude
to God for providing salvation. Additionally, by refraining from such basic
physical indulgence, one can more greatly appreciate the dependence of humanity on
God, leading to appreciation of God's benificience in sustaining His creations.
Indeed, Jewish philosophy considers this appreciation one of the fundamental
reasons for which God endowed mankind with such basic physical needs as food and
drink. This is seen from the text of the blessing customarily recited after
consuming snacks or drinks:
You are the Source of all blessing, O' Eternal One, our God, King of the universe,
Creator of many souls, who gave [those souls] needs for all that which You
created, to give life through them to every living soul. Blessed is the Eternal
Life-giver.
[edit] Sikhism
Sikhism is probably the only major organised world religion that does not promote
fasting except for medical reasons. The Sikh Gurus discourage the devotee from
engaging in this ritual as it is considered to "brings no spiritual benefit to the
person". The Sikh holy Scripture, Sri Guru Granth Sahib tell us: "Fasting, daily
rituals, and austere self-discipline - those who keep the practice of these, are
rewarded with less than a shell."(SGGS page 216). So most Sikhs have never
undertaken a fast of any kind.
Another reason for medical fasting is for certain medical tests, such as
cholesterol testing (lipid panel). People are often asked to fast so that a
baseline can be established. In the case of cholesterol, the failure to fast for a
full 12 hours (including vitamins) will guarantee an elevated Triglyceride
measurement.
A longer fast for health reasons typically lasts a week or longer and includes
some food intake, such as fruit or vegetable juices, as part of a detox diet.
Some doctors believe that pure water fasting can not only detoxify cells and
rejuvenate organs, but can actually cure [2] such diseases and conditions as
cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, type 2
diabetes, colitis, psoriasis, lupus and some other autoimmune disorders when
combined with a healthy diet. They believe that "Fasting is Nature's Restorer."[3]
Recent studies on mice show that fasting every other day while eating double the
normal amount of food on non-fasting days led to improved insulin and blood sugar
control, neuronal resistance to injury, and health indicators superior to mice on
40% calorie restricted diets.[4][5] This may mean that alternate-day fasting is an
alternative to caloric restriction for life extension. However, it has not been
tested on humans.
People who feel they are near the end of their life sometimes consciously refuse
food or water. The term in the medical literature is patient refusal of nutrition
and hydration. Contrary to popular impressions, published studies[6] indicate that
"within the context of adequate palliative care, the refusal of food and fluids
does not contribute to suffering among the terminally ill", and might actually
contribute to a comfortable passage from life: "At least for some persons,
starvation does correlate with reported euphoria."
One of the most famous people to go on a political fast was Mohandas Gandhi. Some
people see a difference between a hunger strike, a pure political act, and
fasting, a political and religious act. By fasting, they intend to take some of
the responsibility of the problem in question.
Hunger strikes have been used by personalities all over the world, including
Martin Luther King Jr., Bobby Sands, César Chávez, and Lanza del Vasto (during the
Algerian War, Vatican II and the struggle of the farmers of the Larzac plateau).
Today, hunger strikes are often used by refugees seeking political asylum.
A crossover between the religious fast and the political fast can be seen in 30
Hour Famine, an event run annually by the Christian relief organization World
Vision Australia, in which participants fast for 30 hours to raise awareness of
world hunger and funds for World Vision's relief efforts. Each year the 30 Hour
Famine draws hundreds of thousands of participants throughout the Pacific Rim and
beyond.
Short term fasting causes a starvation response that encourages the body to store
fat once eating is resumed. This is one of the pitfalls of Yo-yo dieting. The
starvation response is the switching of the body from carb+fat energy generation
to amino acid+fat energy generation. The amino acids are synthesised from the
breakdown of muscle tissue. Since muscle tissue is always metabolically active and
requires energy to function, the reduction of muscle tissue also reduces the Basal
Metabolic Rate (BMR). Basal metabolic rate is the absolute minimum energy
requirement of your body while at rest. it can be compared to a car's fuel
requirement when idling the engine. One of the effects of fasting is to reduce the
body's energy needs during times of scarcity, analogous to turning the idle lower
or replacing a big engine with a small engine. Thus, when the same amount of food
is eaten, fewer of the calories are required for basal metabolism, but the rest, a
greater percentage than before the fast, are stored as fat.
[edit] Other
The Bridegroom Fast - This fast was initiated by the leaders of the International
House of Prayer, and is observed on the first Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of
each month. Based on Matthew 9:15, its focus is intimacy with Christ, who is
described in the Bible as the bridegroom of the Church. The fast is accompanied by
services in Kansas City, which are freely accessible by webcast. It is observed
largely in charismatic circles.
Jeûne genevois (lit. "fast of Geneva") is a public holiday and day of fasting in
the canton of Geneva, Switzerland, occurring on the Thursday following the first
Sunday of September.
[edit] References
^ Isaiah 58:3-13biblegateway.com
^ Fuhrman, Joel, MD, Fasting and Eating for Health : A Medical Doctor's Program
for Conquering Disease 1998, pp. 1, 3, 21-23, 56-59, 70-72, 79-81 ISBN 0-312-
18719-X
^ Fuhrman, Joel, MD, Fasting and Eating for Health : A Medical Doctor's Program
for Conquering Disease 1998, p. 13 ISBN 0-312-18719-X
^ Anson, R. Michael; Rafael de Cabo, Titilola Iyun, Michelle Rios, Adrienne
Hagepanos, Donald K. Ingram, Mark A. LaneDagger, Mark P. Mattson (May 13, 2003).
"Intermittent fasting dissociates beneficial effects of dietary restriction on
glucose metabolism and neuronal resistance to injury from calorie intake".
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
100 (10): 6216-6220. DOI:10.1073. pnas.1035720100. Retrieved on 2006-11-30.
^ Wan, Ruiqian; Simonetta Camandola, Mark P. Mattson (June, 2003). "Intermittent
Food Deprivation Improves Cardiovascular and Neuroendocrine Responses to Stress in
Rats". The Journal of Nutrition (133): 1921-1929. Retrieved on 2006-11-30.
^ DyingWell.org
^ Shelton, H M, Fasting Can Save Your Life. American Natural Hygiene Society Inc.
1964, Fourth Printing 1991, pp. 38-9, 160-3. ISBN 0-914532-23-5
^ Shelton, H.M., page 107-13.
^ Shelton, H.M., pages 122-4.
^ Shelton, H M, Fasting Can Save Your Life. American Natural Hygiene Society Inc.
1964, Fourth Printing 1991, p. 34. ISBN 0-914532-23-5
[edit] External links
Fasting - Longer than one day
40 Hour Famine
Therapeutic Fasting - Worldwide Links
Ramadan - Fasting in Islam
The fast of Karwa Chauth
Western Orthodox Fasting Rules
Why Spiritual Juice Fasting
Fasting in Ramadan
Picture Gallery of Santhara fasting : Jainism
Fasting and Sun Bathing -- Shelton
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting"
Categories: Articles with unsourced statements since March 2007 | All articles
with unsourced statements | Nutrition | Alternative medicine | Asceticism |
Biologically based therapies | Religious behaviour and experience | Eating
behaviors | Diets | Fasting
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