Fasting for God is a fundamental guide to scriptural fasting, tracing the history of fasting in the major world religions and examining the rare convergence of the spiritual and the material, the mystical and the medical. It is a compilation of the words of fasting advocates and proponents throughout history. These are the words of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and of scholars, scientists, doctors and philosophers
This book is probably the most inclusive and complete compilation of fasting quotes available in print. In contrast to most contemporary diet and health books, it highlights the reasons people have fasted for thousands of years, and the remarkable spiritual changes fasting produces in a person's lifestyle.
This compilation of fasting quotes is also a valuable tool for interfaith discourse and for academic research and study. While advocating interfaith dialogue, the book does not propagate theological doctrines authoritative to any religion, nor does it endorse health remedies or dietary therapies. It doesn't try to make anyone a vegetarian, eat kosher food, fast Ramadan or observe Lent.
Fasting is much more than mere food deprivation. It is less about weight loss and more about gaining Divine awareness. If you need motivation and inspiration to embark on a fast for the first time, or to resume a neglected practice, then knowing the true purpose and comprehensive benefits of fasting will go a long way to overcoming the obstacles that arise in your mind.
The distinction between a spiritual fast and a therapeutic or cosmetic diet can be nebulous. Physical health facilitates worship, while spiritual awareness enhances physical joy and well-being. Both are essential to total health.
However, the physical need for food, hunger, is not the same as appetite, the desire to consume, which in modern times is often driven by stress and emotions and manipulated by media and technology.
Although a fundamental practice of the early Church, spiritual fasting has declined significantly in modern societies. This decline is manifested in the obvious increase in obesity, in diminishing moral self-restraint and in widespread clerical turpitude.
Fasting for God not only documents traditional wisdom and principles of the world's religions, but also helps in examining our lives to determine what role fasting can play in our own personal spiritual development. Describing the transformative qualities of fasting, the quotes lead us to a deeper understanding of this ancient practice, thus, bringing us closer to ourselves, to our faith and to intimacy with God.
Something in the process of fasting elevates our consciousness, carrying us into a closer relationship with the Divine, and providing an extraordinarily satisfying encounter with sacred reality. The Sanskrit word for fasting, upvas, literally means sitting near or close to God. As the early Christian author, Tertullian, noted, if practiced with the right intention, fasting makes one "a friend of God."
