Day 3
Matthew 6:16 says, “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full.” In the Bible, Jesus articulates a similar principle in regard to prayer, and to generosity. When you do these things, fasting, prayer, or giving to the poor, don’t make a big deal out of it. Do it clandestinely, and don’t announce it to the world, is the general message, for so many are so hung up on the impression they make on others, and what others think of them, that it is of highest importance that everyone knows about the good things that they do. In the end, they do these things not for their intrinsic benefits, but for their social benefits.
I have now not eaten anything solid for two days, and very little in the two days before that. For me, this is a real challenge. My dad sure isn’t any help, as he constantly tells me how wonderful his latest meal was, or what he’s going to eat in the next few days! It also doesn’t help to be working in a pizza store, where the aroma of food surrounds me for my entire shift! So far however, I’ve stuck to my maple syrup lemon/lime juice cayenne pepper solution. I haven’t really paid any heed to the admonishment in Matthew to fast clandestinely, it’s pretty much impossible not to talk about it when I haven’t eaten for two days; also, this is a different type of a fast. It’s not really a fast at all; it’s actually a cleanse, done largely for the physical benefit to the body as opposed to the spiritual benefit the fasts alluded to in Matthew are intended for. For some, fasting is a spiritual act meant to temporarily deny the things of the flesh and to build mental resolve. For me those are fringe benefits at best, and I really do this to permit my body a chance to take a rest from constant digestion, and to focus on removing accumulated toxins which are so prevalent in our society. So I will go ahead and tell all the people I jolly well feel like that I’m cleansing, and not think twice about it. As Thoreau writes in Walden “I am resolved that I will not through humility become the devil’s attorney.”
I do not know whether I’ll go the full 10 days, or merely six or seven. I will see how I feel. Thus far, aside from the very sincere knowledge that I will enjoy food more than I ever have 10 days from now, I feel great. I have plenty of energy, and though I’m avoiding intense physical activity, I’ve noticed no undesirable side effects so far. The one concern I have is that this “diet”, if you will, appears to very acidic on the surface, and it’s known that it’s best to strive for an alkaline diet for best health.
