Re: Experiences with Fasting
 

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Just to clarify, fasting is not a Buddhist practice, and various Zen masters have specifically advised against it. Also, Buddha Sakyamuni himself rejected fasting and asceticism after trying them both thoroughly (as well as rejecting a life of luxury and indulgence, passing on both in favor of following "the Middle Way").

A brief "cleansing diet" of 2-3 days can be a good thing (you can look up details of "cleansing diet" on the web), as far as removing toxins from the system and accumulated garbages from the bowels, but fasting itself is actually physically harmful.

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What about the tapering off method I had mentioned and then just juice for one day? I can't see how cleansing your colon would be bad.

craig

Re: Experiences with Fasting
 

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What about the tapering off method I had mentioned and then just juice for one day? I can't see how cleansing your colon would be bad.


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Sure, the tapering-off method you suggested sounds fine. It is the going with no nourishment at all that does your body harm. Also, it is wise to work in at least some protein during a cleansing period (a small quantity of beans may be sufficient), as your body cannibalizes its own muscle tissue when you have zero protein intake over an extended period.

Re: Experiences with Fasting
 

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What about the tapering off method I had mentioned and then just juice for one day? I can't see how cleansing your colon would be bad.


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Sure, the tapering-off method you suggested sounds fine. It is the going with no nourishment at all that does your body harm. Also it is wise to work in at least a tiny bit of protein during a cleansing period (a small quantity of beans are sufficient), as your body cannibalizes both fat and muscle tissue when you have zero protein intake over an extended period.

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I agree, I think with the work schedule and what not, it is too tough on the body to not eat anything all day. I am sure I am not the only one that gets panicky and anxious (if i don't eat every 6 hours i will get very nervous and after 12 i better have some xanex). Beans would be good (fresh, no salt) because they would help with the cleansing process and they are the magical fruit.

craig

Re: Experiences with Fasting
 

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High school wrestling.

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I'm working on 153-145 for the next 8 days [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Experiences with Fasting
 

Yes, beans are really great for you.

Nothing wrong with cannibalizing your own fat on a cleansing diet (unless maybe you're John Cole;-)), but destroying your own muscle by fasting is not good (although it does happen unavoidably, to some degree, when we sleep). Also, the brain functions better when it has some blood sugar to work with, which is another reason why total fasting is not good for you.

Re: Experiences with Fasting
 

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Yes, beans are really great for you.

Nothing wrong with cannibalizing your own fat on a cleansing diet (unless maybe you're John Cole;-)), but destroying your own muscle by fasting is not good (although it does happen unavoidably, to some degree, when we sleep). Also, the brain functions better when it has some blood sugar to work with, which is another reason why true fasting is not good for you.

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Well, that and there is the proverb (I don't know from where): eat when hungry, sleep when tired".

Re: Experiences with Fasting
 

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Well, that and there is the proverb (I don't know from where): eat when hungry, sleep when tired".


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Yeah ;-)

Just to clarify, my understanding is that very low-calorie cleansing diets (which could be considered a sort of near-fasting)can be quite good for you on occasion. It's just the total fasting that is damaging.

Also, there is considerable evidence that a very low-calorie diet prolongs life considerably (I really should follow my own advice;-) [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img] ). The very best and healthiest way is frequent small nourishments.

Re: Experiences with Fasting
 

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Well, that and there is the proverb (I don't know from where): eat when hungry, sleep when tired".


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Yeah ;-)

Just to clarify, my understanding is that very low-calorie cleansing diets (which could be considered a sort of near-fasting)can be quite good for you on occasion. It's just the total fasting that is damaging.

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okay, what about this, don't eat one day, then the next day have a nice cocaine salad (minus the greens or any other vegetable), then lose a little more wait, more cocaine salad (once again, minus the vegetables). Oh man, I just created a new diet: Do I call it the Kate Moss or the Lindsay "Herbie" Lohan?

Re: Experiences with Fasting
 

I had a meal at about 6pm and am going to the casino in about 1/2 an hour. I won't eat until Saturday evening or later. I will have several bottles of water, a few diet cokes, a couple of coffee, and a pack of cigarettes. Do you consider this a fast?

I also wrestled in University. Living hell to make weight. Running around a gym with in a garbage bag is not fun. But my diet wasn't that bad because I did learn the nasty but extremely effective weight loss technique of barfing which I preferred compared to the widely used laxative route. The weight I wrestled was probably underweight for my size and muscle mass but it still beats being 20 pounds overweight which is what I'm working on now. Maybe a 3 day fast at the casino will take care of half of that.

Re: Experiences with Fasting
 

First thing, "...some reasons listed by book "Hunger" the religions Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Morons , Christians, Muslims and Taoists and fast on some days." , I don't know if this is Freudian or hilarious. Well, either way, it's funny.

Secondly, I thought you told me that you did a fast? If what you told me was your camping experience, then you haven't really fasted. You can't just go without food and expect to gain any benefits from the experience. You have to utilise your time on self reflection and meditation. That is the point of it. Depriving yourself is supposed to open your consciousness to channels in your mind that are blocked or ignored. There are a thousand different philosophies on what fasting is and what it can do for you but nearly all of them have active participation in the fast as a prerequisite.