Fasting and Meditation
My fasting and meditation journey began with the commencement of intermittent fasting. This was in an effort to regain control of my weight and physical health. After completing quite a few of these sessions, my body felt rejuvenated in ways I had not experienced before. It effectively enhanced my strength training and cardio workouts. I noticed I was able to focus and exert myself more in my daily physical activities.
Spiritual Needs Awareness
This gain in physical well-being revealed a lack in mental and spiritual strength. While my body was energized, there was still something missing. I learned that fasting is not just the abstinence of food, but it must be done in conjunction with praying, studying, and worship. From my devotionals, I learned that the ministry of fasting and meditation is directly related to spiritual power. This led me to understand that if I could effectively tame my hunger while feasting on the word, I would always be full - full in the knowledge and wisdom of God.
In the Sanctity of Solitude, Pray and Listen
Disciplinary Requirements
I began with a daily fast and actively supplemented the hunger pangs with the word of God, praying, and learning. I started to feel the mental and spiritual benefits of fasting. It became clear to me, after constantly wrestling with thoughts of giving in, that spiritual fasting takes discipline. It takes discipline to pray to God at predetermined times (i.e., making it a definite part of your day) and to have open communication with Him. This is essential because consistent prayer, especially in privacy, opens you up to be in communion with God. It takes discipline to study the word, to delve into scripture, and to allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you, blessing your understanding and achieving the wisdom of God. This discipline is devotion to worship.
Key Learnings and Takeaway
In summary, what I have learned from my experience with fasting and meditation is that:
· It expands one's capacity to receive God's wisdom.
· It increases one's spiritual stamina and closeness to God.
· It takes an investment of time for praying and learning.
· It becomes easier over time (taming one's hunger and feasting on the word).
· It takes discipline:
o to begin,
o to create and stick to a routine,
o to remove any emotional attachment to indulgences not aligned with your fast (such as food, meat, wine, candy, treats, etc.).
Daily Reflections
During the initial stages of my fasting and meditation sessions, I would do a check-in at the end of the day by writing down the activities and recalling the challenges I faced. I would reflect on my reactions towards these challenges, my interactions with others, and how I handled them. This gave me insight to be better prepared for the next fasting period, by being present in the moment and asking for God's guidance when situations arise. This is the process in which one draws nearer to God, ultimately developing a personal relationship with Him.
Experiencing Grace
One of the most favorable graces I receive, that comes with repetition, is the ability to notice trials as they appear, to realize how frequently they come. This leads to developing and exercising the spiritual fortitude to reduce them to nothingness, while still appreciating their existence. It turns out that worry and fear is effectively diminished in the presence of God and the love of Christ with the reward being a joyful human experience and the promise of eternal peace.
Biblical References
Daniel 1:17; Knowledge and Wisdom
Matthew 4:1-11; Jesus fasted for 40 days
Matthew 6:6; Pray in silence
Luke 18: 1-8; Pray and not be discouraged
Corinthians 9:27; Discipline of the Body
