Fasting is an ancient practice. It has been a part of the Christian tradition since before John the Baptist pointed his finger heavenward and started yelling, "Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord." Jesus himself fasted for 40 days in the wilderness and often went off alone to fast and pray throughout his ministry. Fasting has been a part of every major religion - and most minor ones too. In fact, since August 1 and until the 30th, faithful Moslems are currently observing the month of Ramadan, in which they have no food and no water at all until the sun goes down each day. Islam is one faith that hasn't let the practice of fasting fall by the wayside! I have fasted for a day here and there - often on Good Friday, but I've never really done a prolonged fast, even though I know darn well that they are extremely good for one's physical, mental and spiritual health.
On Thursday, I saw the movie "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead" for the second time. If you haven't seen this wonderful documentary, I heartily recommend it. It is the story of an Australian fellow named Joe Cross who decided to take his life back by getting healthier. The way he does it is to embark on an extended journey across America while also embarking on an extended juice fast. It's the kind of fast in which the only thing you take in besides water is freshly juiced fruits and vegetables (not prepared juice - you have to make it fresh in a juicer). So it's not a complete Ghandi-like fast. You are actually taking in some really good nutrition. But it's very simple nutrition from veggies and fruits - and no chewing is involved. You are definitely fasting from eating as we normally know it.
The central message of the movie is that the way to change the world is to change yourself. And it conveys, in a variety of ways, how as people invite more wellness into their lives, they not only get better themselves, but also invite healing into their communities. I particularly liked that theme, because this is just what what seems to be emerging here at Grace Church. We are working toward becoming a gathering place for healing and wellness - not just for our own church members - but for the entire Trumbull community. We're planning all kinds of events having to do with nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, spiritual practices, etc. in the coming year. We hope God's healing and wholeness will start here and then move outward from our church like ripples on a pond.
So, I found the movie very uplifting and inspiring. The first time I saw it, I was inspired by Joe's story. But the second time I saw it (last Thursday), I was inspired to start a juice fast myself. Though I've always known - at least with my head - that fasting is an important spiritual discipline, I guess it took this movie to get me to actually DO one. I guess sometimes God speaks through unlikely channels - even movies with funny names.
So today is the second day of my own 10 day juice fast. As expected, yesterday I had some detox symptoms - fatigue, headache and irritability. I was just darn hungry by the time 4 pm came around. I faded fast in the evening and went to bed around 7:30 and slept right through until 6:30 this morning. Some people get some pretty serious detox symptoms for up to 3 days when they do a fast, but I guess I was lucky. Today is my second day, and I feel pretty darn good, my hunger is less bothersome and I am feeling quite satisfied by the juice. I've been making fruit juices in the morning (this morning I juiced fresh watermelon, cherries, limes and cucumbers. Delicious!) and I've had vegetable juices for the rest of the day (yesterday I made a whammo juice with tomatoes, chard, celery and hot peppers - very bracing.)
Why am I doing this? Well, I have a lot coming up this fall, and I thought it would be a good idea to be at my best - to be clearer and cleaner - to do a "reboot" as they say in the movie. I'm also doing it to lose the 10 -15 pounds I've gained since moving to Trumbull two years ago. But I think the most important reason is that I'm approaching this as a spiritual discipline. I'm doing it to empty myself out - like cleaning out a messy closet - so that God can reorder my insides, and fill me with the good things that I haven't been leaving any room for. I know it'll be a challenge, but I also hope it'll be a great experience. I'll keep reporting how it's going this week. If all goes as planned, I'll be juice fasting until some time on Monday the 29th.
In the meantime, talk to me if you'd like to see the movie - I've got it at my house and I'm happy to watch it again anytime! Also, let me know if you're interested in doing a juice fast yourself. I'm happy to help in any way I can. Let's heal together.
No comments:
Post a Comment