Comments on: Lessons from Fasting Failure

By: jleecbd

jleecbd — Thu, 06 May 2010 19:08:57 +0000

You might be interested in this small quote from Met. Kallistos from “The Meaning of the Great Fast” in the introduction to the Lenten Triodion:

“The primary aim of fasting is to make us conscious of our dependence upon God. If practised seriously, the Lenten abstinence from food – particularly in the opening days – involves a considerable measure of real hunger, and also a feeling of tiredness and physical exhaustion. The purpose of this is to lead us in turn to a sense of inward brokenness and contrition; to bring us, that is, to the point where we appreciate the full force of Christ’s statement, ‘Without Me you can do nothing’ (John 15:5). If we always take our fill of food and drink, we easily grow over-confident in our own abilities, acquiring a false sense of autonomy and self-sufficiency.”

I grant you, this is in reference to the Lenten fast (the first few days of which, if following the rule for those days, is extraordinarily difficult for us in our pampered society), but the same principles apply.

By: Holly Ordway

Holly Ordway — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 03:46:40 +0000

I ended up having to stop fasting before the Eucharist. I ended up feeling really lousy, even if I had a snack on the way to work, so that it made it hard for me to have enough energy to teach my classes at 100%. On the other hand, I realized that it wasn’t a “failure,” because the experience did cause me to reflect on my own weakness and face up to my own limitations, even if in a very limited way.

By: pwgilbert

pwgilbert — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:54:42 +0000

I too have tried fasting, but I always end simply up eating less than normal which is, to be honest, not a true fast. I rather like the idea of fasting from TV or mindless novel reading; I might have more success than the fasting from food. One year I tried “giving up” coffee, but that lasted less than a half day since I couldn’t function without it. Perhaps if I’d persisted, I could have done it. This year my disciplines have been pretty punky–in fact I can’t even remember what my pledge was. Writing these things down might be a good thing for next Lent!

By: Holly Ordway

Holly Ordway — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:21:21 +0000

One of the challenges for me is to not make the discipline into an end in itself… and not feeling guilty if I don’t “get it right” or “do it perfectly.” If I found that skipping a meal really did make me ill (as it would if I were diabetic, for instance) then I’d have to recognize my own weakness and accept it…which is probably harder than the discipline itself

Another part of my Lenten discipline this year is quite simply to get sufficient rest. I tend to work too hard (and too much) and so I am working on accepting that I am not strong enough to do without sleep! Giving up overwork is actually turning out to be a real challenge in its own right.

By: Ali

Ali — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 14:27:46 +0000

I admire your attempts to take on greater discipline in your religious life. That is to be commended. As an Orthodox, I am expected to fast after midnight when I want to partake of Communion. However, I take several medications, and this is not possible. But I will say that not eating before Communion is very difficult for me. It has not gotten easier.

And I will agree with you that saying, “Your will be done, not mine,” is so hard for me; there are many areas in my life where I currently do this–and I want to be able to control what is going on around me in my life.