joedirt wrote:Having done a few day fast in the past I can personally attest to the benefits, but I've never done a full 7 day's much less 30 or longer. Those in the fasting know say that once you get into a good fast the hunger will stop...and I can attest to that, but they also say that there will come a point when you feel as though you must eat...and that is the proper time to break the fast.
Well, it's been some time since I did any lengthy fasts. Although I could really use one at this point in my life! The majority of my fasts have been just 2 or 3 days, because it's not easy to hold down a full-time job and go without nourishment. Right? Primarily because I've be in the work force for most of my adult life, 2 or 3 days is just about perfect for the weekend shaman's schedule. It's my personal opinion that this is the optimum duration, unless one is undergoing radical sadhana. Then, it is another story altogether.
Back in the day, I did a series of: 3-day, 5-day, 7-day, 9-day, 12-day and even a couple 14-day fasts. My longest one ever, was 16 days on water only (nearly 30 years ago). This was preceded by a series of gradually increased periods without eating. One should incrementally expand the duration of the fast, until the body is able to process so much an extreme change in behavior. After 3 years of assimilation, my body was ready for some deep purging.
It's true, after 3-5 days the nagging hunger stops. I agree that there is a fine line separating fasting and starving. I personally not longer feel the need to go more than 3 days, as I have been through most of my extreme sensory deprivation stages. On of the most important aspect of fasting, for myself, was always the change in perception. Let's face it, after a stretch... you are not yourself anymore. Much of our consciousness is spent in
organic mode. That is, the cyclical mechanism of our biological organism's natural pattern of existence. When we look deeper in the nature of said existence, without maintaining the
normal pattern of behavior and breaking the continuity of the repetition, we glimpse into something quite extraordinary.
I would advice you to add some time in a steam room or sauna to your fasting experience. Make sure to be extra hydrated and you'll be plenty good to go. The fruit juice is a very good idea. You might also consider herbal teas? Peppermint or spearmint and chamomile are excellent, as is any hibiscus blend.
One important factor to consider is this, the longer the fast, the slower your re-entry into eating food again. There is a descending and ascending pattern to the fasting process. That is, the preparation to the fast should be 20% of the period of the fast and the return to food consumption should be approximately 20% of the duration of the fast. It's not like turning a light switch off and back on again.
Good luck Brother. I wish you many benefits from your purification rite. BTW, it's not cheating to get high while you are fasting. I'm guessing you will be spending quite a bit of your time in deep meditation? This combined with pranayama and Kriya yoga should be a great help in your piercing into another level of consciousness. I assume you practice hatha yoga, so this will help you quite a bit when you push the boundaries of the fasting experience.
Movement is key! If you do any martial arts, like taijiquan (or really any martial style, for that matter), this helps to keep the Qi flowing throughout your body. Tai chi is my favorite but I am partial to it's roots in Taoist principles. So, whichever activity you engage in, it should include
the flow. I addition, adding a little Sacred Medicine would be the most natural thing in the world.
Although, for myself, I only did that occasionally. Hashish was a nice way to highlight the peak of the fast but only after the craving for food had dissipated. Honestly, I've broken a few fasts when the munchies hit me. Best to be careful of any cannabis intoxication until you loose the hunger first. I did eat mushrooms a few times but it wasn't my usual thing. It didn't seem like I was fasting if I was having a small meal of shrooms. LSD was way too much of a voyage to take when I was in that fragile a condition. But then again... I had no access to DMT in those days, so I couldn't take advantage of it's short-but-intense duration. Just saying, that's all.
In fact, a lift-off with Spice might be the most illuminating accent you could blend into your fasting process? I'd recommend it at the apex of the session or not at all. It's certainly worth considering, eh? What a nice way to explore yourself and merge into a profound immersion with the
Clear Light of the Void? :idea:
Peaceful Visions, Brother There is no self to which I cling, for I am one with everything.