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Fasting for health and spiritual growth.

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The spiritual significance of fasting is being forgotten today as man is losing contact with his inner being. Fasting or Upavasa encompass the act of abstaining from consuming food for the greater good of one’s soul and body. Known as Upavasa in Sanskrit, Upa means “near” and Vasa means “to stay”. The word suggests that  “stay near the lord”. It forms an integral part of Hinduism and is an act of sacrifice, where one sacrifices worldly pleasures like food for the greater good of attaining peace and self-control in their life. The practice of fasting is a major part of Hinduism and can range from light restriction to extreme self-control.  In the Vedic period, Students of the Vedas practiced fasting as part of their learning and self-discipline. The choice of days and the method of fasting are not imposed but depend on the community, the family, or the individual. Hinduism is marked by several periods of fasting. The most commonly- practicing fasting is, Ekadashi, which is respected approximately twice a month, on the eleventh day of each ascending and descending moon. The celebration at the beginning of the year, in honor of Shiva, is another important occasion. During the months of July and August, many Hindus adopt a vegetarian diet and fast on Mondays and Saturdays until the evening. Many Hindu women fast on Mondays in order to have a good husband. In the past, fasting had always been a religious and spiritual practice. In Hinduism, religious fasting is usually done to please a deity to obtain rewards or fulfill one’s desires. In today’s world, fasting is helpful in dieting and weight loss. Recent studies indicate the beneficent effects of fasting. Fasting can be used both as a preventive method and a cure or healing process to correct the imbalances in the mind and body. Nutritionists and health care professionals say that fasting is very effective in calorie consumption and stay fit. Scientifically,  Fasting has proved to improve mental health by making people feel good about themselves with increased self-esteem, self-confidence, willpower, and discipline.

The Health Benefits of Fasting.

1. Fasting helps to control Blood Sugar     

Several studies have found that fasting may improve blood sugar control, which could be especially useful for those at risk of diabetes. Meanwhile, another review found that both periodic fasting and alternative day fasting were as effective as limiting calorie intake at reducing insulin resistance. Connecting with the potential blood sugar-lowering effects of fasting could help keep your blood sugar steady, preventing nails and smash in your blood sugar levels. Some studies have found that fasting may impact blood sugar levels differently for men and women.

2 . Fasting is Better for Health, it Fighting Inflammation

While intense irritation is an ordinary resistant cycle used to assist the battle with offing contaminations, persistent aggravation can have genuine ramifications for your wellbeing. Exploration shows that aggravation might be associated with the improvement of constant conditions, like coronary illness, malignancy, and rheumatoid joint pain. A few investigations have discovered that fasting can help irritation levels descends and assist with advancing better wellbeing.

3.   Fasting May Boost Brain Function

Though research is mostly limited to animal research, several studies have found that fasting could have a powerful effect on brain health. Because fasting may also help relieve inflammation, it could also aid in preventing neurodegenerative disorders.

4.      Beneficial for Weight Loss by Limiting Calorie Intake and Boosting Metabolism

Certain foods and beverages should decrease your overall calorie intake, which could lead to increased weight loss over time. In fact, one of the reviews showed that whole-day fasting could reduce body weight by up to 9% and significantly decrease body fat over 12–24 weeks. Fasting was discovered to be more successful than calorie limitation at expanding fat misfortune while at the same time safeguarding muscle tissue.

5. Fasting reduces our sinful actions slowly.

It is believed that if your body undergoes suffering, your sins would lessen. It is like punishing yourself. So, instead of God punishing you, you punish yourself. This would lessen some of your sins and you would have a more good time in your life.

6. Self-enlightenment

Fasting helps us attain a clearer mind and a lighter body. This helps us focus better and accomplish self-enlightenment.  As per the sacred text, fasting assists with making a joyful boning between singular spirits and the preeminent soul – The God. The aim of doing fasting is to purify the body and mind to acquire divine grace.

7. Spiritual growth.

Fasting is good for the upliftment of everyone’s spiritual, mental, and emotional strength. Since the Vedic times, Hindus are observing as per their faith and tradition and also for spiritual growth. Fasting is a fundamental piece of love. Emblematically, fasting is a demonstration of penance. Fasting cleans the brain, controls energy and the faculties, and checks feelings. Fasting cleans the brain, controls energy and the faculties, and checks feelings.

Last words.

Fasting should be worked on as per an individual’s age, wellbeing, resilience, and common principles. The body is a place of divine beings. The gods who live in it rely on the body for sustenance. The body is a shrine. Our lives will not be perfect without finding Him in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Fasting is an integral part of Sanathan Dharma. It is a most extreme devotion to focus on their divine beings and God. The spiritual significance of fasting is being forgotten today as man is losing contact with his inner being. The science of fasting, which was preserved in the Vedas and Shastras, is a method of purification that can aid man in his mundane and spiritual life. These ancient texts were inherited from our ancestors, who understood and explained the relationship between man and nature and the supreme being. Fasting controls energy. It checks the feelings. . It is incredible retribution. It refines the psyche and the heart. It annihilates a huge number of sins.

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