I have posted many photos on Zero Hedge of the food we have raised, prepared, and served at our home, as well as a couple of full-length articles on raising rabbits [2] and owning a family milk cow [3]. We love to eat good food! We also love to be healthy. Although eating right and exercising regularly are the two biggest keys to health, for me, I am learning that a regular cleansing of my body is also important. No. I am not talking about bathing. I am talking about fasting. I will tell you that in addition to the physiological benefits, I have also experienced very powerful spiritual and psychological benefits through fasting.
What is fasting?
Readers may recall that fasting was mentioned, by Jesus, in a recent post of mine:
Concerning Fasting
"And whenever you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces so as to show others that they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting may be seen not by others but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-10-06/law-suit-porn-addict-divorcing-... [4]
The Internet Guru of Fasting, Nathaniel Hawthorne Bronner, Jr., tells us that:
Fasting is the abstaining from ALL FOOD. Fasting means taking in nothing but WATER. NO JUICE, NO FRUIT, NO TEAS, NOTHING BUT WATER.
Dear reader, I will tell that the primary purpose of this Zero Hedge article is to convince you to read Bronner's very short book, available free online:
http://quickfasting.com/ftp/quikfast.pdf [5]
I strongly believe that if you read this book, today, then the chances of you wanting to try a fast, like I did, and actually doing it, successfully, are quite high.
I would like to share a few excerpts with you.
First, what answers will you find in Bronner's book?
Why should I fast? How long should I fast? Is fasting a good way to lose weight? Should I work while I fast? Can fasting hurt me? Am I too skinny to fast? Am I too fat to fast? How do I prepare for a fast? What is a quick way to tell if my body is in condition for a fast? Do I exercise while I fast? Can I have sex while I fast? These are just a few of the questions this book will answer.
Second, why do we need to read a book to learn how to stop eating?
We spend much time figuring out what to eat but when we decide to stop eating, we don't have the proper knowledge to get the most out of our fast. Often, instead of the fast benefiting our bodies, it does us harm because of our lack of knowledge. Proper knowledge can turn a potentially harmful experience into a blessing that is beyond price.
Observing religious beliefs, seeking God, and maintaining and/or improving one's health are the major reasons for fasting. Fasting is recognized by every major religion. The benefits of fasting are universally recognized for spiritual development but how many times have you heard anyone tell you how to properly conduct your fast?
Third, what can we gain from fasting?
We may talk about sex being the strongest fleshly drive, but it is not. We may think ego is the strongest of the fleshly impulses, but it is not. From the day we are born, the desire for food reigns dominant. We eat too much. Gluttony, the lack of discipline of the appetite, causes us to look old prematurely, to feel old before we get old and to suffer many different diseases.
Fasting allows us to gain control of the appetite. When you can develop the discipline to fast, you automatically develop the discipline not to overeat. When you can control your strongest carnal appetite (the desire for food), you can then gain control of the other carnal appetites.
For me, learning to gain control of my carnal appetites...my animal instincts...my sinful nature...has been an exciting challenge that is leading to significant and real improvements in my physical, psychological, and spiritual well being. When I fast I have felt myself dancing with the Devil in the pale moonlight as I stand in front of the open refrigerator, at two in the morning, saying, "God help me!" He does.
Setting spiritual warfare aside, Bronner talks about two very Earthly matters regarding fasting that I also want to address with you: enemas and shitting.
Bronner recommends enemas to help with the physiological benefit of fasting, which is cleansing your body. I had never had an enema until I tried fasting. Don't be afraid, but others recommend that you do keep good OpSec...lock the bathroom door...your friends and family may have a hard time understanding, although mine all know me well enough that mrs_horseman didn't even raise an eyebrow.
This is the same unit I purchased and use. They are about $20.
At the end of his book, appropriately located, you will also find that Bronner has a short section titled: "How to properly BM."
I can hear you saying, "I may not know a lot about fasting, but I know how to BM. I have been BMing all of my life." I know you have been BMing all of your life, but you probably have not been BMing properly.
In summary:
Here is another good article on the internet that delves into the art and science of taking a better shit:
I hope you try fasting. Embrace the challenge. Seek the benefits.
Peace!