5 Min in My Head VBLOG ep2

In this episode, I let you in on what I was thinking a few years ago.  This was a brilliant idea (I say so myself) but perhaps ahead on it time (not by much though).  The Idea was so good I forgot about it until a little over a year ago when my friend from grad school reminded me of it.  I was so inspired by the idea I had forgotten that I decided to make it real.  So that is what I'm working on now.     

Fasting and Prayer

Fasting and Prayer

Prosit (May this be for your benefit)

This will be the third year that I practice a fast. The first time was during the week of my 35th birthday, which also happened to be during Holy week. I went to the woods to meet Jesus Christ.  He told me His story and it was good. Last year I returned to nature to fast on the advice of my wife and I am glad that I did.

This year I started the fasting process bit late, but I am desperately in need of the Lord. I will again go to the woods to meet Christ Jesus in a few weeks. I plan to write a bit more about the experience later, but for now I just what to write down my general process.

I hope this my serve as a guide or inspiration for others that wish to seek the Lord through fasting and prayer.

Phase 1: Removing Luxuries

• Timing: I start some time within a week after new years day removing 1-2 luxury/vice/appetite per week.  This usually involves some withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability or changes in mood and/or energy levels.  Withdrawal is usually start 24-48 hours after the stimulant vice has been removed.  Withdrawal symptoms usually last 3 days.  So it helps to have 5-7 days between each vice removal to regain equilibrium, before hitting the next withdrawal period.  
• Order: I remove things from my life in order of difficulty.  Starting with the easier stuff and moving to the more difficult, for me to part with.  I find that I have a tendency to over compensate with remaining vices on the week I am removing one.  The rough order for me is smoking, coffee, alcohol, meat, sugar, television. (TV includes non work related internet entertainment such as YouTube and social media)
• Forgiveness: I try to drop 1-2 things per week leading up to the beginning of Lent (Ash Wednesday.) The general goal is to maintain abstinence from these luxuries/appetites during the period of lent.  However if I slip up, I find that forgiving myself and getting back on the path is more effective then berating myself and feeling guilty, which in my case usually lead to more vice indulgence, not less.  This year I started late, and that is OK.

Phase 2: Preparing for the fast.

• Subtraction: It may be good to remove some other foods or habits while staging down to the fast, but this is less critical then removing the major stimulant appetites.  A step down might look like removing wheat/refined flour from the diet, removing fish/seafood from the diet, removing eggs, removing dairy, going raw, then full fast.  At some point before and during the fast abstinence from sexual activity is also important.  This is very difficult for men.  It is easier to abstain from sexual activities and thoughts if you are already abstaining from other appetites and stimulants such as caffeine, simple sugars and fatty foods. 
• Addition: This is also a time of reflection, repentance, and reading.  I find it useful to journal, read religious texts, and take an account of my life.  Adding reading, journal writing, exercise and/or meditation fills the voids from TV and other vices.  This also helps me cope with the urges to self medicate with food or other vices.
• Preparations: If not already done, then this is also the time to make retreat arrangements.  In my case that means booking a primitive camp site that requires at least a 1 mile hike in.  I go during the week not the weekend.  This way I don't run into as many people and have the ability to maintain silence for a few days.

Phase 3:  The Fast/Retreat

• Location: There are retreat centers that offer guided retreats and nice places away from home to stay, such as vacation homes, but for me I find God in Nature.  Also I prefer the mountains over the ocean, but that is not what is important here.  What is important is that I go seeking God with ardent heart.  Also that the location afford long periods of time in silence, alone with the Lord.  For the past 2 years for me that means primitive camping.  At a hike-in site, with no amenities.
• Duration: I go for a week (5-7 days), because that is long enough to get out of my head and listen to the Lord, but also probably as long as I can reasonably leave my family and work at this stage of my life.  I have taken weekend guided group retreats before and find that they are great for fellowship, reflection and recharging.  However, I always felt that I just getting to God when the weekend was over.  Also. it seemed very difficult to bring the wisdom of the mountain back to the valley of my daily life.  This longer retreat with the long period of preparation seems to help me get closer to God and stay in God's presence and Glory longer before again being consumed by delusions of the world.  From the science side, fasts less then 3 days doesn't really get you there.  It is safe for most people to fast up to 40 days without any negative medical effects. (disclaimer: I got this "science" from a documentary on Netflix that looked at studies done in Germany and Russia.  In both cases they do not recommend fasting unsupervised. What do they know?)   
• Activities:  The first year I did consume a small meal before sun rise and after sun set consisting of a handful of granola, a small apple, a clementine(small orange), and a cup of tea. Then only water during the day.  The second year I intended to do the same but on the first night raccoons ate all my food.  I did not eat for 3 days, consuming only water. My intention was to be still and listen to the Lord.  That is difficult for me.  I find that I must walk (hike) enjoying the beauty of God's creation, until my body is exhausted.  Which is usually 15 mile a day for 2-3 days, then I can sit for a whole day.  Also I read.  I asked the Lord, how will I know when the voice I hear is your voice.  He said read all four gospels in a row.  If the voice you hear is consistent with My voice in the gospels. you will know it is Me.   

Phase 4: Reentry

• Keeping in the Spirit: This is important and I hope to cover it in more detail later, when I compile my notes from the actual retreats.  That being said, here is a few tips that might help:  Leave at a leisurely pace.  Do not have any fixed plans on the day you return from retreat, so that you can travel slowly.  Stop somewhere before you get home and have a light meal and review the notes from your journal, that you kept during the retreat.  Pray.      
• Easing in: The first year I had a huge American breakfast the first day back home with eggs and bacon and coffee.  Later that day I had a cheese burger and big piece of pie. This was a terrible idea. I felt very sick.  The second year I eased back in with light meals for the first week and refraining from meat and booze for a little longer.  This year I plan to try to reverse the vice subtraction method by adding one thing a week back. we will see if I can adhere to that.
• Share the blessing: When you go to seek the Lord and ask for His blessing you are fundamentally changed.  That was my experience anyway.  Ask and you shall receive.  The Blessing is for you, but not only for you.  Your cup is over flowing and you must share your blessing with others.  I hope this helps you.  

 

5 Min in My Head VBLOG ep1

Happy 37th Birthday to me. and Happy Birthday to my VBLOG! what what!
Corny people are happy people.