What can be given to me, I don’t want.
What can be taken away from me, I don’t need.
-paraphrased after Eric Baret
In traditions that viewed the body and sensual pleasures as corrupting forces, fasting was a way to mortify the flesh—to make it suffer, so its hold over the “pure” soul would weaken. But this often led to an ongoing struggle with the sensual desires, sometimes leading to far worse crimes than simple indulgence—think of the abuse scandals in the catholic church, sometimes leading to a Pyrrhic victory: the operation has succeeded (the senses are subdued) but the patient is dead (all sensual vitality and aesthetics are lost).
Transformative fasting, however, does not necessarily require the body to suffer. It needs to foremost be a fasting of the heart. At it’s core, fasting is about ending violence against ourselves - the violence of resisting or denying our lived experience in pursuit of social approval, understanding, or fulfillment. The inner conflict caused by rejecting our own experience is often projected outward as a threatening world, something to defend ourselves against.
Instead of this cycle of self-denial, projection, and defensiveness, we can choose full acceptance of our experience, without resistance. We can allow ourselves to be fully devoured by the moment, to feel everything without numbing ourselves with substances, concepts, or distractions.
The purpose of fasting is to alter our lived reality—often by simplifying it—so we can see more clearly and honestly who we have become. It is a slowing down, a listening to what is present. It is a return to essentials, a letting go of all else. It is an invitation to be available.
Fasting and renunciation open diverse pathways to ending inner violence
Fasting from sensual pleasure – stop seeking fulfilment.
Fasting from blaming others – own your projections.
Fasting from seeking social approval – embrace social rejection.
Fasting from control – let go of the need to understand, to make anything happen, or prevent anything from happening.
The practice of fasting -witholding fulfilment- creates a liminal space in which our habitual (irrational, unconscious) patterns become visible. Here we can look at ourselves with raw honesty, align ourselves with what we know to be true, and practice love - the essence of who we are.
Fasting is a way to create the conditions to see through confusion and free ourselves from mind created suffering. When we stop seeking fulfillment, we break our compulsive self-preoccupation and become available for genuine connection and support, opening ourselves to a deep listening—to ourselves and others.
Fasting is an act of love.
***
With our resurrection retreat about a month away, this is an invitation for our community to prepare by fasting. Here are some suggestions:
simplify and return to what Is essential
begin each day with the question: What, in the face of death, is worth living for?
… and align your life with your answer.
commit to simplicity:
stop buying comfort or pleasure.
stop numbing yourself with drugs, entertainment, or consumption.
let go of what you don’t truly need.
stop seeking fulfillment.
slow down and listen
take time to do nothing (beyond prayer, meditation, or contemplation).
transform “being busy” into truly listening—to yourself and to others.
practice love
extend yourself in connection with others by radically owning your experience.
commit to supporting both your own and another’s existential development each day.
May you fast in search for the truth, out of love for yourself and for all.
Be well.
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