A sincere friend of mine, a Sri Lankan, who works and lives in Kuwait sent me a WhatsApp Ramadan Greeting message with a request for me to ‘do fasting’at least once during the month of Ramadan. She said, “Bounties of Ryan Paradise await those who fast. Please don’t miss out on the endless bliss. May the Almighty Creator help you to fast this year- Amen”.
Naturally, she is a dedicated and a resolute believer of Islam, and one who never forgets to pray five times a day, like clockwork. I would not like to call her a fanatic, because each individual has his/her own convictions that are very personal to them, and others do not have any business or right to interfere or question about another person’s religion, caste, creed or race.
Naturally, I did not pay much heed to her request, as I am a Buddhist, but never thought she would take my silence so seriously and amiss. Then, came the bombshell message stating thus:
“As a friend who likes you, and who is concerned about you, I wrote to you advising on fasting. At least what I expected from you was a courteous reply. Alas! till this moment, I never heard a word from you”. Naturally, she seemed to have been offended over my silence, and she wrote back to me again
“I am humble in that I respond to every message I receive here. Lots of my contacts love me for that, being courteous is a great quality in life”.
Finally, I wrote to her diplomatically, thanking her for her kind advice and being concerned over my next birth, and putting it mildly saying that “ it would have been wonderful to fast, but I did not !
Despite stringing together, a flimsy excuse for my avoidance of her request on fasting, it did drive me to research on fasting, as all human beings do fast in some form or the other, irrespective of their religious beliefs. It is believed to bring about healthy results.
The most popular and disciplinary aspect of fasting appears to be in Islam (Oneness of God). Fasting is an act primarily to abstain from food, which is done during the month of Ramadan. From a religious context fasting has been identified in Vedic and Dharma faiths in Hinduism and Buddhism too. “Fasting is prescribed in the Quran (Chapter 2, Verse 183) so as to educate man of self-restraint. In Buddhism it is known as ‘mindfulness’
In terms of Judaism and Christianity, there are numerous references in the Bible, which quotes thus: “Blessed are they, which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled(Mathew 5:6)”
The principle behind fasting holds the removal of indulgences from the diet and brings merit to the one who fasts. Some who fast, have extended the period gradually, over the years, to include fasting for up to seventy-two days. In a physiological context, fasting is the metabolic state of a person who has not eaten overnight and the metabolic status is achieved after a complete digestion and absorption of a meal. Fasting has been recommended as a therapy for various conditions by health professionals of most cultures, throughout history, from ancient to modern.
Scientific research on fasting suggests major health benefits such as reduced risks of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, insulin resistance, immune disorders, and more generally the slowing of the ageing process, and the potential to increase in one’s maximum life span.
Other religions
The Buddha was emaciated after undergoing severe ascetic practices. Buddhist monks and nuns who follow Vinaya rulescommonly do not eat daily, after the mid-day meal. It is not considered as a fast, but rather a disciplined regimen aiding in meditation and good health. Once when the Buddha was touring in the region of Kasi, with a large group of Sangha, he addressed them thus: “Oh Monks! I do not eat a meal in the evening. By not eating a meal in the evening, I am aware of good health, maintaining good health sans illness; instead, developing buoyancy and strength to live in comfort. Oh Monks! You, too, do not eat a meal in the evening. Oh Monks! Be aware that by skipping a meal in the evening will help to build good health and to live in comfort.”
Fasting is a practice in several Christian denominations too. Those factions who do not practice fasting consider it an external observance, yet many individual believers choose to observe fasts at various times at their own behest.
The Lenten fast is observed by the Eastern Catholic Orthodox Church for a forty-day period to commemorate the fast observed by Christ during his temptation in the desert. Fasting during Lent was more prominent in ancient times than today.
Fasting can take up a significant portion of the calendar year. The purpose of fasting is not to suffer, but according to Sacred Tradition to guard against gourmandising, greed, impure thoughts, deeds and words.Fasting must always be accompanied by increased prayer and charity directly to the poor.
Detox and effects
Taking a complete break from food means that one’s body goes into self-cleansing mode. The energy normally used in digestion can get to work elsewhere, thus removing built up toxins, healing old wounds and building new cells. The body is forced to feed upon its own stored up energy in the form of glycogen. As more stored fat is broken down, the chemicals and toxins absorbed from the food one eats, and the environment one lives in, are released and eliminated from the body. The detoxification that occurs normally in the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands and skin, also goes into overdrive while one is fasting.
As the body cleans by itself, the one who fasts may notice during fasting times certain side effects such as bad breath, body odour, headaches and a general sluggishness. For those who fast during Ramadan, especially the first week of the process can be specifically tough, but it can be the ideal time, as my friend suggested, to detox, lose weight and be healthier as long as one remembers to eat well after breaking the fast.
When it comes to eating, it is always recommended to eat small portions and snacks throughout the evening rather than a heavy meal in one go, because after a large meal, usually the blood sugar levels surge.
After a large meal, blood sugar levels dash, causing pancreas to secrete a lot of insulin to bring the levels back down. This extra sugar is stored as fat. So, in order to maintain an even level of blood sugar, even Prophet Mohamed is said to have recommended eating in moderation. Abstinence from water for 8 to 10 hours is not necessarily bad for health as the body has its own water conservation mechanism. But, by ensuring that one consumes plenty of water through the night will help to keep oneself hydrated during the fasting hours.
During Ramadan, Muslims are supposed to empathise with the poor and needy; so, over-indulgence and elaborate feasts go against the very principles of the month of Ramadan.
pic credit: Ceylon Today
A sincere friend of mine, a Sri Lankan, who works and lives in Kuwait sent me a WhatsApp Ramadan Greeting message with a request for me to ‘do fasting’at least once during the month of Ramadan. She said, “Bounties of Ryan Paradise await those who fast. Please don’t miss out on the endless bliss. May the Almighty Creator help you to fast this year- Amen”.
Naturally, she is a dedicated and a resolute believer of Islam, and one who never forgets to pray five times a day, like clockwork. I would not like to call her a fanatic, because each individual has his/her own convictions that are very personal to them, and others do not have any business or right to interfere or question about another person’s religion, caste, creed or race.
Naturally, I did not pay much heed to her request, as I am a Buddhist, but never thought she would take my silence so seriously and amiss. Then, came the bombshell message stating thus:
“As a friend who likes you, and who is concerned about you, I wrote to you advising on fasting. At least what I expected from you was a courteous reply. Alas! till this moment, I never heard a word from you”. Naturally, she seemed to have been offended over my silence, and she wrote back to me again:
“I am humble in that I respond to every message I receive here. Lots of my contacts love me for that, being courteous is a great quality in life.”
Finally, I wrote to her diplomatically, Thanking her for her kind advice and being concerned over my next birth, and putting it mildly saying that “ it would have been wonderful to fast, but I did not !”
Despite stringing together, a flimsy excuse for my avoidance of her request on fasting, it did drive me to research on fasting, as all human beings do fast in some form or the other, irrespective of their religious beliefs. It is believed to bring about healthy results.
The most popular and disciplinary aspect of fasting appears to be in Islam (oneness of God). Fasting is an act primarily to abstain from food, which is done during the month of Ramadan. From a religious context fasting has been identified in Vedic and Dharma faiths in Hinduism and Buddhism too. “Fasting is prescribed in the Quran (Chapter 2, Verse 183) so as to educate man of self-restraint. In Buddhism it is known as ‘mindfulness’.
In terms of Judaism and Christianity, there are numerous references in the Bible, which quotes thus: “Blessed are they, which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled(Mathew 5:6)”.
The principle behind fasting holds the removal of indulgences from the diet and brings merit to the one who fasts. Some who fast, have extended the period gradually, over the years, to include fasting for up to seventy-two days. In a physiological context, fasting is the metabolic state of a person who has not eaten overnight and the metabolic status is achieved after a complete digestion and absorption of a meal. Fasting has been recommended as a therapy for various conditions by health professionals of most cultures, throughout history, from ancient to modern.
Scientific research on fasting suggests major health benefits such as reduced risks of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, insulin resistance, immune disorders, and more generally the slowing of the ageing process, and the potential to increase in one’s maximum life span.
In other religions
The Buddha was emaciated after undergoing severe ascetic practices. Buddhist monks and nuns who follow Vinaya rulescommonly do not eat daily, after the mid-day meal. It is not considered as a fast, but rather a disciplined regimen aiding in meditation and good health. Once when the Buddha was touring in the region of Kasi, with a large group of Sangha, he addressed them thus: “Oh Monks! I do not eat a meal in the evening. By not eating a meal in the evening, I am aware of good health, maintaining good health sans illness; instead, developing buoyancy and strength to live in comfort. Oh Monks! You, too, do not eat a meal in the evening. Oh Monks! Be aware that by skipping a meal in the evening will help to build good health and to live in comfort.”
Fasting is a practice in several Christian denominations too. Those factions who do not practice fasting consider it an external observance, yet many individual believers choose to observe fasts at various times at their own behest.
The Lenten fast is observed by the Eastern Catholic Orthodox Church for a forty-day period to commemorate the fast observed by Christ during his temptation in the desert. Fasting during Lent was more prominent in ancient times than today.
Fasting can take up a significant portion of the calendar year. The purpose of fasting is not to suffer, but according to Sacred Tradition to guard against gourmandising, greed, impure thoughts, deeds and words.Fasting must always be accompanied by increased prayer and charity directly to the poor.
Detox and effects
Taking a complete break from food means that one’s body goes into self-cleansing mode. The energy normally used in digestion can get to work elsewhere, thus removing built up toxins, healing old wounds and building new cells. The body is forced to feed upon its own stored up energy in the form of glycogen. As more stored fat is broken down, the chemicals and toxins absorbed from the food one eats, and the environment one lives in, are released and eliminated from the body. The detoxification that occurs normally in the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands and skin, also goes into overdrive while one is fasting.
As the body cleans by itself, the one who fasts may notice during fasting times certain side effects such as bad breath, body odour, headaches and a general sluggishness. For those who fast during Ramadan, especially the first week of the process can be specifically tough, but it can be the ideal time, as my friend suggested, to detox, lose weight and be healthier as long as one remembers to eat well after breaking the fast.
When it comes to eating, it is always recommended to eat small portions and snacks throughout the evening rather than a heavy meal in one go, because after a large meal, usually the blood sugar levels surge.
After a large meal, blood sugar levels dash, causing pancreas to secrete a lot of insulin to bring the levels back down. This extra sugar is stored as fat. So, in order to maintain an even level of blood sugar, even Prophet Mohamed is said to have recommended eating in moderation. Abstinence from water for 8 to 10 hours is not necessarily bad for health as the body has its own water conservation mechanism. But, by ensuring that one consumes plenty of water through the night will help to keep oneself hydrated during the fasting hours.
During Ramadan, Muslims are supposed to empathise with the poor and needy; so, over-indulgence and elaborate feasts go against the very principles of the month of Ramadan.
pic.credit: Ceylon newspaper Ltd
