does fasting truly work to find answers to spiritual questions?

Answer 1

I am on the third day of a fast. And I am not an overly spiritual person, but I can see how people have spirtual experiences. Your body feels kind of slow, but other parts become more alert and awake.

Actually when I woke this morning I even felt a little bit...like I was under the influence, which was sort of fun once I realzed what was going on.

Maybe it just brings people to an altered state where they can see things form a different angle. Maybe in the same way old Mexican Indians use peyote for vision quests.

Have you ever fasted?

Answer 2

Fasting is the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food and in some cases drink, for a period of time. Depending on the tradition, fasting practices may forbid sexual intercourse, masturbation, as well as refraining from eating certain types or groups of food (e.g. meat). 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, in the Mahabharata, in the Upanishads and in the Qur'an.

Fasting enhances mental acuity.

Answer 3

Fasting alone is not the answer, but can be an important part of a spiritual journey.
For me fasting has been a way of reminding my whole self (body, mind and spirit) of who's in charge. ie; my appetite is not in charge. my appetite for food, sex, pleasure, new boots is not in charge, they are not the guiding force, they do not make the decisions for me. The spirit of God is in charge and it's His will that is the guiding force, decision maker of my life.
Fasting and prayer have been times of declaring the above and seeking direction and reconnecting.
In short, yes, it can work to find answers to spiritual questions as part of a larger plan.
Hope this helps-it's my take on the subject.

Answer 4

It is a way of controlling your ego which only pursues self interest. When you are fasting you get a real life personal experience of what life is like for the millions of people in this world who go to bed hungry. So in a sense it's a humbling experience that makes you understand that a blind pursuit of material gains is useless. I'm not muslim. I'm hindu and we fast on various days of the week not just 1 month a year. On Navratri some people eat just one clove a day and live for nine days on just water. No food even after sunset.

Answer 5

Fasting truly works in making you hungry. I'd suggest looking in yourself for answers to spiritual questions, and it's much more comfortable to do that without hunger pangs.

Answer 6

For some. Prayer usually works for me...I think the point is to temporarily override the preoccupation with self so that you may have access to the knowledge of spiritual things...

Answer 7

My mom does this sometimes when praying for a special purpose. She believes it works. I have never tried it, but I believe in the power of prayer and it seems like fasting would make you even more focused.

Answer 8

it provides a sense of thought to what we take for granted every day like food water ect, no one think of those who go hungry on a daily bases fasting provide smpathy to those and out of our hearts we give to the poor all year round because we are all the same as human and need the basic of life

Answer 9

Yes but it is a frightening experience. I did it and got answers. I won't do it again if I can find another way.

Picture the entire Universe, with all it's horror and beauty, opening up and revealing itself to you.

Answer 10

fasting (as long as it isn't for the purpose of weight loss) can be be beneficial ... especially if accompanied by Bible Study and prayer.

The fasting provides more time for searching the Scriptures, and it is where you are more apt to find the answers.