Monk Fasting

 

“Everyone can perform magic, everyone can reach his goals, if
he is able to think, if he is able to wait, if he is able to fast.”
― Hermann Hesse, Siddhartha

I've been fasting for years, and a few months ago, I learned about a kind of fasting known as monk fasting. This kind of fasting requires you to drink nothing but water for 36 hours once a week. Of course, it's challenging, and not everyone can follow it at first. You can achieve it with a few practises. I've tried a couple times so far, and each time I got fantastic results.

You can do this by having dinner on Friday at 9 o'clock at night. You must fast for the entire Saturday and break your fast at 9 on Sunday morning. Lime juice and very light food are good ways to break the fast in the morning. Later in the day, you are free to eat your typical lunch.

This monk fast helps the body to enter ketosis , a metabolic state that occurs when your body burns fat for energy instead of glucose . Certain studies claim that it helps with weight loss, immune building, lowering the growth of cancer cells, and longer lifespans.

Here is my latest experience of Monk fasting : I had dinner at 9.30 PM on 29th Aug 2024 , Thursday and fasted until 31st Aug 2024 Saturday 9.30 AM. About 7:00 PM on Friday, there was a mild headache.My headache has disappeared after taking a pinch of salt.I stayed completely hydrated the entire time I was fasting.

Usually, I read books, watch TV occasionally, and take an hourlong walk.To finish a 36hour fast, you need to have strong emotional reserves.In the beginning, it's not at all simple. You want to break the fast earlier than usual.That's alright.Increase the fasting period gradually and with caution.

You may experience occasional cold during a fast. This is because, in order to conserve energy during a fast, our bodies may slow their metabolic rates. This may result in less heat being produced, which would make us feel cooler. Another explanation would be that during a fast, the body directs blood flow to the heart and brain first. This may lead to decreased blood flow to other areas, such as the hands and legs, making those areas seem colder.

People fast for a variety of causes. For religious purposes (fasting on every Ekadashi), weight loss, detoxification, and health advantages.

You might experience mood swings due to lack of food . If you are new to fasting , I suggest you try first 12 hours fasting , then 18 hours and 24 hours before attempting this 36 hours fasting so that it will give you confidence .

One word of caution: not everyone may find it appropriate. Before attempting this Monk fast, please consult your physician if you have any underlying medical disorders, such as diabetes, hypertension, or thyroid issues.

Have you tried water fasting ? How was your experience ? Feel free to reach out to me in case if you have any questions or comments . All the best .