How To Prepare for an Extended Fast: Body, Mind, Heart, and Spirit

Fasting is about change. It strengthens the will, the identity, and the core of our beings. This is true for all aspects physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Through the re-creation of self...

Spirit

Intention: The power of will.

Fasting is about change. It strengthens the will, the identity, and the core of our beings. This is true for all aspects physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Through the re-creation of self, we bring about a manifestation of our needs, dreams, hopes, and desires into the world around us. As you prepare to fast, realize with purposeful intention that you are catalyzing change. This is spirituality in its purest essence, the exchange between yourself and the universe.

Mind

Understanding: The power of thought.

Equip your mind with an arsenal. Prepare a personalized library of motivating media: the written word, video, audio, still images, and social media. Definitely include a healthy helping of facts in your information diet. Knowing what is happening can power you though a rough spot.

The facts ARE fuel! When a moment of weakness comes up, curl up with some good information and lean into your community.

Heart

Hope: The power of belief.

Most of us are plagued by limiting beliefs that we seldom bring into our conscious thought. It can be frightening to face our inner demons because they can be intensely charged with fear and other uncomfortable emotions, but consider this. Every limiting belief has an equal and opposite liberating truth. Reconstructing negative and limiting beliefs may reveal and express your deepest, most important truths.

Follow this tip: Express every statement as a positive.

For example: instead of saying, “I don’t deserve to be punished for making mistakes”, rephrase it affirmatively by saying something like, “I am worthy of forgiveness and patience every time I try to accomplish my goals”. Prepare for your fast by examining some of the beliefs that may be holding you back. There is no one like you. No one will say the things you would say the way you would say them. Find your voice. Follow your heart. Feel hope.

Body

Virtue: The power of being clean.

The legend of Sir Lancelot tells the story of a man with super human strength born of his virtue. There are many ideas about how best to prepare your body for a fast, but one thing everyone seems to agree on is that you will benefit more effectively if your body is clean. Moderate exercise, sufficient rest, clean eating before your fast, and provisions for self care during your fast should all be considerations. Hydration is key, which includes both the water and the minerals your body needs to balance its function. Use Real Salt! Consulting a trusted health care professional is advised.

Observe constantly that all things take place by change, and accustom thyself to consider that the nature of the Universe loves nothing so much as to change the things which are, and to make new things like them.

- Marcus Aurelius

As you fast, you are reorganizing the elements of your being, inviting conformity with the DNA plan of who you are meant to be at the prime of your health. You are going out of your norm to generate an improvement in your health that is significant and lasting. This is a new you that better expresses the true you.