Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
In the Indian tradition, fasting has always been regarded as a spiritual discipline. But somewhere along the way, the deeper essence has been forgotten. For many, fasting has become a way to please the Divine. But in truth, it has a far more practical and transformative purpose. Fasting is a powerful means to cleanse the body, sharpen the mind, and restore balance within. So, what is the right way to fast?
We do not fast to please God. We fast to purify the body which is a remarkable instrument that is constantly at work. The digestive system is active day and night, breaking down whatever we consume. Fasting is a way to give this system some respite, to allow the liver, pancreas and stomach to rest and recharge.
Thousands of seekers have shared how light, fresh and energized they feel after a day of fasting. Fasting activates the body’s natural detox mechanisms. It eliminate the toxins and rebalances the flow of energy in the body. It simply uplifts your state of mind.
What is True Fasting?
If the mind is constantly thinking about food during a fast, then that is not fasting. It becomes a performance. All of us have experienced moments where we are so deeply engaged in something meaningful, that hunger simply disappears. We forget to eat.
In the same way, when the heart is immersed in love, when the mind is turned inward toward the Divine, food becomes secondary. That is the real fast.
Stepping Beyond the Familiar
It is not wise to stay bound to the patterns of the body and mind all the time. Every once in a while, it is good to step beyond them. Only then do we discover that the body is not a rigid structure. It is flexible, it can adapt. We have simply forgotten this intelligence.
Fasting shows us that the mind is far more powerful than the body. It is not just the body that feels lighter during a fast; the mind also becomes clearer, more alert, more refined. You will see this for yourself-thoughts settle down, you become emotionally stable, and self-awareness deepens. This inner clarity naturally leads to introspection.
A Gateway to Deeper Prayer and Meditation
In every spiritual tradition across the world, fasting is accompanied by prayer. Why? Because when the body is lighter and the mind quieter, sattva or the quality of purity rises. And where there is sattva, prayer becomes alive. Meditation deepens naturally, and prayer becomes more heartfelt, more vibrant.
Fasting is not about resisting food for a day and then feasting on a plate full of “allowed” items like sago or buckwheat. That is not fasting. That is simply entertaining the mind under a new label. Fasting means withdrawing from all that pulls you away from your centre. It is a way to move inward, to reconnect with your true nature.
The Value of Moderation
Some people fast too much, others eat excessively. Both are forms of imbalance. I’ve seen people turn fasting into a kind of punishment-enduring hunger, exhausting the body. That is not how it should be done.
Fasting should come from a space of joy, not struggle. It is a conversation with your own body, your own Self. If the body is not ready, don’t force it.
Each person is different. The body is intelligent. Before you begin any kind of fasting, listen to what it is telling you. If you have any health condition, consult a doctor-preferably an Ayurvedic practitioner.
When practiced with the right understanding, fasting becomes a sadhana, a means to transform life. It is not a compulsion or a social ritual. It is an opportunity to turn inward. To realise that the strength and nourishment we seek is not out there, it is already present within us.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
