Comments on: Spiritual Fasting: How To Appreciate Life Through Temporary Deprivation

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 18:49:25 +0000

Thanks for the kind words everyone. I am glad that this piece was able to provide a little food for thought for some of you.

Just a few comments here.

Mat–You’re absolutely right, this style of fasting isn’t too terribly demanding. It’s for this reason, however, that the ‘Ramadan Style’ fast is such a great tool to enrich the lives of your everyday average Joe. Just about anyone can directly implement this strategy without too much rigor yet still begin to understand the world through a more relativistic lens and feel that much needed struggle–even if it’s just for a few days. The relative ease of this style of fast is what makes it such an attractive option to the fasting novices of this world…

On another note, one of my friends, Rich, made a very interesting insight regarding fasting. He told me that after reading my article he came to the realization of the reason behind is love for travel. The sites and the people, these things were great, but all secondary for his desire to travel. At its core, to Rich traveling strips down all the clutter and ‘noise’ so pervasive in his everyday life: cell phones, emails, and the 25-7 connection to the world that he is attached to. Traveling frees him from this ball and chain and makes him appreciate much of the things in his life that have become monotonous and mundane. Much like fasting, Rich views traveling as a means of detoxification which enriches the quality of his life.

Ian–just wanted to tell you how much I love this site. You really have provided some great reads for your travel hungry readers…

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By: Ian MacKenzie

Ian MacKenzie — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:17:05 +0000

hey all – great points! glad you found the article of interest. tara, i agree, travel is the perfect opportunity to get out of our comfort zones and explore ourselves to the fullest.

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By: Tara

Tara — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 11:51:21 +0000

My initial thoughts when I read this post was sympathy for anyone to be stuck in Hanoi without money for food as I think Hanoi is one of the most wonderful culinary cities to visit. Cheap pho, Paris-worthy baguettes – Hanoi has it all!

But with regards to the fasting I think this is a fantastic thought-provoking article.
Wellness travel is such a growing industry, with the idea of travelling and going without (whteher it be completely fasting or just detoxing) for personal development really hitting the mainstream.

One of the reasons I love travel is for the space it allows to explore such parts of yourself.

Great article.

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By: Marco

Marco — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 12:48:53 +0000

The poster above has entirely missed the point, Tim is not making a commentary on how great of a person he is because he underwent some unearthly struggle. Neither is he saying anything specific about Muslims. He is simply making a point that a little struggle in one’s life can go a long way towards building one’s character. Tim is no pariah, but I agree with his point that everyone should struggle with life a little bit before they can consider their life complete.

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By: Shantanu

Shantanu — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 07:09:50 +0000

Great post, Tim! Thought provoking. BTW, many Hindus fast too (I am one) but these fasting days are spread over the year and usually happen one day at a time. Many Hindus do not eat non-vegetarian food on Tuesdays (the 50%, who like me, do eat meat). This tradition has spiritual roots too, but not to ‘experience suffering’ but rather as a detox process to cleanse the body and fine-tune your senses before praying.

I know Catholic Christian communities (at least in India) have a practice fasting for a month during Lent too.

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By: Mat

Mat — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 02:50:58 +0000

Interesting post but the particular fast you are talking about is quite easy.

I did it, just as a way to build discipline and within 2 days was used to it. And I didn’t go crazy eating heaps and heaps of food at night as all the Muslims in my area do. (I suspect this might make it worse, though. You gotta keep the stomach small so your body is used to the lack of food.)

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By: Tim Patterson

Tim Patterson — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:05:56 +0000

What a wonderful post, Tim. This is exactly the kind of thoughtful, considered essay that simply doesn’t make it into more mainstream travel publications. Thanks, and I look forward to more.

-tim

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