Fasting

Taking food everyday is a man’s common practice . Food helps him to sustain his life and continue doing his activities, he is said to have observed fast on the day when he abstains form food for one reason or another. Fast has absolutely has nothing to do with religion. It is true that on certain religious occasions we observe a fast by taking or abandoning certain food –items , but it cannot be called fasting in its true sense or from scientific point of view.
On the fast-day, compelled by religious sentiments, we keep control over our natural desires and avoid taking regular food . However , I its substitution we take nutritious heavy foods like milk, milk products, sabu Dana, fruits etc:

A fast actually means total absentation from taking any kind of food . It is essential not to take solid or liquid food, cereals, fruits and sometimes even water during a fast. A fast means absolute absenatation from from taking any kind of food for a definite period with a view to giving rest to the different organs of the body and their processes, thereby helping them to get cleansed.

Some words commonly connected with fasting are deceptive ‘Water fast’ is one such word. Water fast in literal sense would mean that water should not be drunk. But this meaning is false. The true meaning of ‘Water Fast’ is only to drink water and nothing else. Fruit-fast and juice fast are also such words.

Fasting does not mean starvation. Fasting and starving are two different conditions. It is true that in both the conditions food is not taken, however as their causes and purpose are different, their meanings are also different. Fasting is a condition accepted voluntarily by an individual, while starvation is a condition arising out of circumstances.

Benefits of fasting

There are two main functions of food:
1.To provide the body with nourishment and heat
2.To produce new cells to take the place of the cells destroyed caused by routine activities

During illness the body uses its full energy I its fight against the disease. During this period as the body requires nom particular nourishment, we feel also of appetite. During illness, the elimination of toxins of foreign elements from the body is outmost importance. If food is taken during illness precious energy is used up in digesting it.

Like the body needs definite food regularly, in the same way it needs fasting at definite intervals. Food provides the body with energy and heat while fast bestows health and purity on the body. Moreover , a fast gives rest to the various processes going on in the
Body.

Observing birds and animals around us we may perhaps think that they never fall ill. Like human beings birds and animals also fall ill, but the extent of illness among them is much less. When bird or an animal falls ill, first of all it instinctively leaves food i.e. observes a fast. It gets cured of its illness merely by observing a fast without any kind of medicine or therapy.

The digestive system gets rest:

A lot of energy of the body is used up in digesting the food taken, but when there is no function of digesting food , this energy gets anew direction. It is employed in eliminating a disease.

Elimination of Toxins speeds up:

When the digestive system is at rest, the toxic elements accumulated in it get disintegrated. The natural curative power of the body takes up the task of removing these toxic elements from it.

The liver is activated:

The liver is the laboratory of the body. Whatever we eat, first of all gets digested by the process of the digestive system. Then it gets absorbed in blood through mucous membrane of the intestines. The food thus digested reaches the over through certain blood vessels. Here it goes through a number of processes. The liver is the main organ which eliminates poisonous elements. As no food goes into the body during the period of fasting, toxic elements are not produced. At such time the liver use their full strength in the body of eliminating old toxins inhabited in the entire body

The resistance power increases.

When on account of fasting, toxic elements begin to be eliminated from the body, there is an increase in the natural resistance power of the body.

The mental power is enhanced:

It has been observed that most of the person observing a fast experience the firmness of the mind and self-confidence during the fasting period.

Thus fast effect a natural cure. If man follows regularly he can keep fit and remain healthy. A fast not only maintains health but can also cure most of the chronic disease and much acute disease. A fast is appositive energy which should be incorporated regularly and faithfully in modern life

Preparation for Fasting

One , who desires to keep fast of short or long duration should first of all determine the purpose or object of fasting. What one desire to achieve or what accomplishment does one long for by observing a fast should be clarified at the outset.

Fasting is generally kept for the removal of physical ailment. In some cases prolonged fasting is planned to get rid of chronic diseases. Moreover sometimes one takes resort to fasting also for mental peace and spiritual progress. Thus one who observes a fast should have a clear conception as regards the aim and its purpose. Then one should determine to observe the fast with full faith in oneself.