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|| Shri Swminryano Vijayate ||

Inspirer: Pramukh Swmi Mhrj

Overview: This presentation explains the

Benefits of
commonly known Hindu ritual of fasting,
including its spiritual implications and
benefits on physical and mental health.
Fasting

INTRODUCTION
Humans are considered to be unique and above all other members of the Creativity Tip
animal kingdom. So what exactly is it that makes human beings so Ask the sanchalika to email the
special? manan point to kishoris on the day of
the next ekadashi. In this way the
Some would argue that its our ability to adapt to environments and kishoris can actively introspect on the
situations, but there are plenty of other animals who are able to adapt benefits of taking on a fast.
well to their surroundings. Perhaps we can pin-point our uniqueness to
the simple fact that we have opposable thumbs. However, this cant be
the source of our exceptionality since the gaint panda species have N athis way
bone in their hand that functions like an opposable thumb.

The answer to the question is quite obvious when you think about it.
The source of our uniqueness and individuality is the place where our
uniqueness and individuality stems from, our brains. The human brain is
unlike that of any other animal. It is because of our unique brain that we
are able to do things like think about the meaning of life, play sports,
paint, write novels or even play Angry Birds on our smart phones.
While other animals might have larger brains, their brains are not built
for doing things beyond the basic necessities.

So now that weve established that our brain is what allows us to do the
things we love and its what allows us to be humans. We need to figure
out a way to keep our brain healthy and protect it. The next question
that needs to be asked then is how exactly do you increase the health of
your brain? The not so obvious answer to this is by fasting!

According to a study done by the Department of Immunology and


Microbial Science at The Scripps Research Institute, short term fasting
promotes and induces neuronal autophagy. Autophagy is a process by
which cells recycle waste material, down regulate wasteful processes,
and repair themselves. This process of autophagy is very important for
the human brain and brain health is very dependent upon autophagy.

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The authors of the study state that they believe that sporadic fasting
might represent a simple, safe and inexpensive means to increasing this
Matter Note
process. For more information about this
study, check out:
Simply put, fasting allows your brain to recycle, repair and reuse. Now http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/ar
that we have mentioned the physical benefits of fasting, lets learn about ticles/PMC3106288/
some of the other benefits of fasting.

FASTING
Creativity Tip
Starving vs. Fasting: Is there a difference?
Show parts of the Gerson Miracle
Did you know that the Alaskan Fur Seal bull goes without food and
video
water for three months during the breeding season of each year?
Fasting is known to be natures best solution for dealing with certain 22:30- 25:30
physiological and biological problems. Man is no exception to this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
natural healing method.
=sbIixJI_oa4
Why is it that when an animal is severely wounded, it will refuse toNeat
this w
and yet its wounds heal? This is because the food reserves, which are
stored as complex chemical substances, are first autolysed (broken
down) at the site of storage. This then mixes with the blood, which
represents food and are sent to the site of the wound to repair the
damaged tissues. Throughout fasting and starvation autolysis is rigidly
controlled by the body. Thus, digestive functions are temporarily
suspended and that conserved energy is directed to places that may need
it more. This allows the various areas of the body to gain complete rest,
thus enabling bodily damages to be healed. Fasting is thus, a controlled
way of healing illnesses.

How to Break a Fast


Although there are many benefits to performing a fast, as you will see,
there is also a method to breaking a fast appropriately. This will help
one refrain from illnesses caused to improper breaking of a fast. To start
off, it is recommended that one break the fast by slowly sipping a glass
of fresh fruit juice. About an hour later, another glass can be sipped and
if need be a very light meal of natural food should be taken. Also, it is
greatly recommended that one steer clear of canned foods, soda type
drinks, overcooked, fried, oily and spicy foods, sweetmeats and
chocolates.

A 24-year-old man fasted for 27 days because he was suffering from


chronic constipation and indigestion. After finishing the fast, he decided
to break the fast by consuming beef-steak, potatoes, and bread and
butter with coffee. This is exactly what one should not eat while

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breaking a fast. The 24-year-old man, as a result, suffered from violent
vomiting and could not tolerate even a teaspoonful of water!
Therefore, we can see that after fasting, the invariable craving to over
eat without proper mastication should be avoided. Consuming heavy
foods immediately after a fast will only lead to harm.

Of course, there are conditions in which fasting or extended fasting is


inadvisable. There is an art and a science to fasting and under
experienced hands it is very safe. As Dr. Herbert M. Shelton in Fasting
Can Save Your Life says: The fast should not be misused but the result
of its misuse should not be used to condemn the whole process.

THE BENEFITS
Physically
A fast gives rest to various processes in ones body. These things include
digestion, blood circulation, and, metabolism. During this rest period
these systems also revitalize so they can more efficiently take on tasks
daily.

The digestive systems at rest: Large amount of energy used by ones


body is lost in the process of digestion. When this system is not in use,
the energy is in inevitably used elsewhere.

The liver is activated: The liver is the cleansing system of the body.
Once food is taken into the body it goes to the digestive system, where
several enzymes work to extract important vitamins the body finds
useful. Thereafter, the left over mass ends its journey at the liver. The
liver works to eliminate poisonous elements present in the body. Liver
cells, known as parencynemal cells, clean toxins in the entire body. As
no food goes into the body during a fasting period, new toxic elements
are not produced. The liver takes advantage of this situation and uses its
complete strength to eliminating the old toxins.

Natural Resistance power increases: as toxic elements begin to be


eliminated from the body there is an increase in natural resistance
power. Thus, a stronger resistance power means direct extermination of
a disease.

Benefits of fasting:
1) Provides the vital organs with rest
2) Stops the absorption of foods that decay in the gut
3) Empties the digestive tract and facilitates elimination of wastes
4) Promotes the breakdown ad absorption of diseased tissues,
deposits, and other abnormal growths

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5) Increases the powers of digestion and assimilation (the usage
food)
6) Re-establishes normal body chemistry and secretions
7) Helps the excretory organs become stronger, which allows them
to remove toxins from the body
8) Creates a environment which allows organs to perfect their
work
9) Improves mental powers generally e.g. the ability to reason is
increased and attention and association are quickened when
fasting. The Romans believed that a full stomach does not like
to think.
10) Tends to increase ones control over all appetites and passions
11) Ideal for meditation

Mentally
Increase in self-confidence: It has been observed that most of the
persons observing a fast, experience a firmness of mind and self-
confidence during the fasting period. The development of mental power
has favorable influences on the body and thus, relief for various diseases
becomes attainable.

WHAT THE SCRIPTURES SAY


Spiritually
Shriji Maharaj has stated in Vachnamrut Gadhada II-8 that, if one takes
on a fast with no understanding, then it is as good as not fasting. So why
is it an agna to fast on ekadashi? It is in this very vachnamrut that Shriji
Majaraj tell us the answer to this question. He begins with a story. Once
god was asleep, his ten indriyas and his mind drawn inwards. Quote
Thereafter, Mur Danav, the son of Nadijangh arrived to parttake in a
battle with God. Instantaneosly, a female figure arouse from the divine Without proper diet, medicines are of
light of Gods eleventh indriya, the mind. Upon seeing her, Mur Danav no use. With proper diet,
ask for her hand in marrige. The figure proposed that she has a vow; she Medicines are of no need
will only marry one who will defeat her in a battle. And so a battle was ~Ayurvedic Proverb
called and as predictad the female figure won. Please with her victory,
go ask her for a boon. She asked that since she was brought to life due to
the light of the 11th indriya, she should be named ekadashi and a should
be entitled to her. On this day, devottes should sacrifice eating grains
and incorparate all 11 indriyas in the devotion of god. This is was the
story of ekadashi.

Charak, an ancient, renowned practitioner of Ayurveda, the old Hindu


practice of combating diseases, had said that, Langhanam

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Paramaushadhum i.e. fasting is the ultimate medicine. The entire
philosophy of Ayurveda which has its roots in the Vedas, rests on the
foundation that self-restraint of the senses leads to tranquility and puts
forth one fundamental principle that without fasting, nutrition is never
possible.

As we delve deeper into the concept on fasiting we come across some


points the atman benefits from. We understand the mahima so this day,
but when does one truly benefit? Just as Maharaj prescribed, just as we
restrict the tongue with delicious foods, our eyes are nourished with
what one shows them, our ears are replenished with what one listens to
etc.

Even the shastras agknowledge, that a true fast is only considered for
any benefit when the endevors of lust, anger, and greed for wealth are
sacrificed.

CONCLUSION
To wrap things up, this pretention summarized the key reason why we
as Hindus perform fasts. Remember to think about this the next time a
fast comes by.
Physically the main organs of the body are given rest
Mentally, the qualities of self-confidence and firmness of the
mind are achieved
Spiritually, one is deprived from food, music, movies etc to
strengthen their focus on god

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