Long-duration Fasting Methodology

Fasting is a wonderful, natural process with a great potential to heal the body & mind.  

Accumulated toxins, filth and germs etc. can get cleared if fasting is followed in a process oriented way. It becomes easy and safe to practice, without any side effects then. Fasting is quite effective too. This earlier blog post introduces this ancient healing process, a bit more.

It is important to start the fast at a slow pace, reducing food intake and holding onto each phase for a short while, as best possible. Similarly, while coming out of a fast, going slow is essential too. This approach allows body to attain full benefit of fasting, and grow strength, instead of facing any issues with sudden, excess intake of food etc. 

Here is a 5 day Fasting process methodology :

1. Day 1 : Be on Fasting diet - 

What is fasting diet ? 

In India, fasting accompanied religious celebrations, since ages. There are certain foods that we avoid / allow, during fasting  These work great for cleansing and giving required support to body-mind system, during the process.

Whatever your grandmother preferred to eat & give during religious fasting should generally be fine, to consume, in case you come from that culture. Chosen diet should preferably be light to digest, health-oriented and restricted to allowing few chosen items, as considered best. Food ingredients which are either difficult to digest or good for taste only, are willingly forbidden, during such practice. 

Day 1 is more like an easy to digest, more natural & healthy feast, for many. Eat fresh and 'satvic' or pure vegetarian dishes and enjoy. 

Do not take any stress, about this procedure. Keep it simple and go by what you consider as fasting food. This post gives some guidance, too. 

2. Day 2 : Fruits diet. 

This diet was considered really good for regular fasting in many Indian households, for long time. Saints and rishis also suggested fresh, organic cow milk and similar curd as good addition, along with fruits. 

You can consume fresh, seasonal and if possible, organic fruits, whenever hungry, throughout the day. If you feel like having a drink, and have access to pure milk, and prefer to add it, that makes it a complete meal, actually, Fresh curd is a great option too, for non-Vegans. 

It's not recommended to add other milk products like sweets, 'khova' or milk solids, ghee etc. on Day 2, Here onwards, it is better to keep it simple, basic and lighter than Day 1, if possible. This might bring more health benefits. 

As per Ayurveda, most fruits cannot be consumed with milk, so better to avoid a mixed platter of milk along with fruits, during the fast. If you are sure certain combinations work completely fine and have tested it earlier, for yourself, then you may consider, taking in small quantity, only.

While fasting, as body is getting cleaned-up, and very few foods are taken in, the effect of any intake may be more pronounced. Hence one needs to be careful, with food choices and how they are taken-in.

3. Day 3 : Be on water. 

You may have regular drinking water, throughout the day. 

Boiled water is recommended as best for drinking in Ayurveda, To prepare this: Boil some water, and keep it aside, let it cool down to normal temperature, for your intake. 

No other food, no eating/or drinking anything else is suggested now, in this phase. Just be on plain water throughout the day, if possible and allow proper cleaning to take place. 

Those who can't fast on only water, may consume fruit juices and fruits diet, (as suggested for Day 2). 

Keep time for some extra rest, for 1-2 days and do not overwork. Let yourself be free and ready for cleaning and healing. Avoid using social media, mobile etc. Do the needful tasks, while taking good care and sleep timely.

4. Day 4 : Continue & start backwards 

You can be on water for a few more hours, if it's easily possible for you and seems to be helping your health condition. 

Some cleansing may be taking place, already, so one may expect detoxification, additional excretion from the body and mind etc. If it's not uncomfortable and you are ready to give some more time for the process, first half of the day might generally be okay, to continue on water. 

However, keep a good check and observe your hunger, carefully. Whenever you feel hungry on Day 4 (or even Day 3 (if needed), start consuming fruits diet (same as day 2), once again. 

Many of you might find yourself in a better condition of health, energy and peace, by now. 

Those driven to go an extra mile, may add dry fasting (without water) for 1st few hours of this day and then continue similarly, coming back on water, followed by fruits etc. in the reversal process, of breaking the fast on Day 4, itself. 

5. Day 5 : Fasting diet, same as Day 1. 

Start eating light and healthy, fasting meals with some restrictions, and continue on 'satvic', pure vegetarian, fresh diet, until end of day 5 or as best possible.

Thus, following the entire process, you would have given yourself, a proper & flowing, fasting schedule, over 5 days. This methodology works beautifully, to enable cleaning, healing and rejuvenation, You shall not feel tired or weak rather replenished, after taking such simplified, step-by-step, careful fast. 

If you need to fast for a longer timeframe, like 9 days, the same process can be extended. For example: 2 days on Fasting diet, 2 days on fruits, 2 days water fasting and another 3 days for breaking the fast, via reversal process, should work good. 

Similarly , for taking a shorter fast like 3 days - 1 day for slowly reducing food & getting onto fruits diet. 1 day of Water fasting and another day for reversal of the process, can be quite helpful, for some people too. 

Though, fasting is extremely good for health in general, however people with weak constitution, too young or old and those with any medical condition might reduce the time of practice and take extra precautions, as well. If possible,  consult your healthcare provider / physician and seek inputs about your plans of taking a longer fast. Prepare yourself to avoid any issue or discomfort. 

When you like to adopt & practice this process of fasting, please feel free to send your queries. You may also request Swaadhin Org and avail free support, during your fasting practice.

Thanks!

Email: swaadhin.org@gmail.com

Read more about Fasting