From: REXLEX@linac.fnal.gov
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Fasting
Date: 26 Aug 92 06:25:31 GMT
Organization: Fermi Lab

In article <Aug.23.19.23.08.1992.20909@athos.rutgers.edu> amanda@intercon.com
(Amanda Walker) writes:

>My experiences with fasting (and the context in which I made my warning 
>posting) involved continuous fasts of 48 hours or more.  An 18 hour/day fast 
>will probably give you a mild case of low blood sugar for the first couple of 
>days, until your body adjusts, but is otherwise harmless for anyone in 
>reasonably good health.  If you're looking for an exercise in discipline, 
>this isn't a bad approach--under 24 hours should be quite safe.  I 
>occasionally go 24 hours without solid food as a simple result of not getting 
>around to it :).
>
>However, going more than 24-36 hours without anything but water or clear 
>liquids *does* cause significant changes in body chemistry as the body shifts 
>its metabolism into 'starvation mode', and over 48 seems to produce 
>noticeable changes in consciousness (which, in some cases, is part of the 
>point of the exercise).  If you are healthy and have good nutrition, you can 
>go up to a week or so without food without any long term ill effects, but I 
>reiterate that you should *never* do so without supervision.  A fast of 
>several days will cause subjective mental effects of the same order as 
>psychotropic drugs, combined with reduced endurance.  Not something to play 
>with.
>
I would agree with Amanda as to the seriousness of fasting, but I have had
different experiences at different times of my life.  I have twice in my life
time done 30 day fasts.  It really wasn't any big thing once you got past the
craving stage.  I found the hardest thing, next to getting through the craving
stage,  was to come back off of the fast.  I was so enjoying the fast that I
literally had to force myself to eat.  It should be noted that I was younger
then, (23 & 24) and was in great shape.  The first took place during a TDY in
Hawaii.  I had to drink plenty of liquids, and (maybe this will disqualify me)
some times grab a piece of mangoe off a tree as I walked to the beach. (I
justified fruit as being 99% water) 
Also, during these times, I didn't notice any notable loss of endurance.  I did
sleep better, so feel I actually became stronger because of it.  I don't
remember exactly when there was a time of some disorientation within the longer
fast.  I do know that it didn't last longer than a day.  By disorientation, I
mean "just not quite with it."  Sort of like working for 36 hrs straight.   If
I work around the clock, when morning comes and we go over to the diner for
breakfast, I'm rejuvinatied for a while. I notice that it is at the 18-20 hr
mark I start to consciously feel "drunk." Breakfast or day light brings me out
of it for several hours.   However, I then go into a period of disorientation
at the 30 - 36 hr mark which I never seems to get over. (I notice that I can't
do long shifts like this as I did 10 years ago.)  
So I've also noticed that now that I'm older, that my body doesn't respond so
well to long fasts.  I don't think I would now push past 2 wks unless I had a
vision to. (Just kidding) That's another thing.  Consciousness did not change
for me as Amanda mentioned.  It definitely wasn't a drug high.  In fact, I came
off of drugs partly because of the "high" that I achieved from fasting. (I call
it a straight high)  Don't get me wrong.  I don't really like the term "high"
but I guess it could apply.  What I experienced was an accute sense of
awareness.  Senses were sharpened, not distorted.  (I played my best game of
chess ever during one my 30 dayers)  Bible devotions were, well lets just say I
feel like John in Revelation in having to resort to imagery.  It was bliss.  It
was personal with nothing seemingly eclipsing fellowship.  There was a sense of
accomplishment is removing personal barriers to communion.  I also felt like I
was allowed to see things more clearly, or had things revealed to me, both via
the Scriptures directly, and  life itself.  Many things that seemed important
all of a sudden became incidental. 
 
Well enough.  If you are healthy, and have had a doctor tell you such, go for
it.  My body pretty much told me when enough was enough.  But let me just add
this, don't make it a "work."  Do it because you have leading.  To often we do
things for the Lord in the power of the flesh instead of being led in in the
power of the Spirit.  Look in Luke 'cause I think its in the 2nd chapter that
the word "led" is specifically used there as Christ goes onto His fast in the
wilderness.  

If you chose to go on a fast, stay in touch.  I'd like to hear of your
response.

Rex
rexlex@fnal.fnal.gov