Fastings Explained - Sadguru Atma Malik

                               

  Sometimes it seems a difficult path, it seems to have too many distractions and we often feel there are other matters that have greater priority. When we accept that the “foods” we consume have a deep influence on our body, mind and thought, we will appreciate who and why the simple diet of “dal rice” is prescribed by our Sadhguru for Aatma Darshan. The Sadhguru brings us into an environment that is nurturing to the mind, thoughts we have, and words we listen to. What we eat is our choice, so Gurudeo asks us to consume foods that are detoxifying to the body and mind. Mug dal and rice diet has the capabilities to detoxify the body of physical undigested residual stuff. It also has the power to remove and reduce the daily thought patterns that cause irritation, anger and fear.Mung dal has the capability to reduce and remove the “pitta” toxins and nurture the body cells to stability. Water is the essence of “life” and the medium of transformation of all energies.

                                        In the pursuits of Spiritual path, it is very important to reduce and remove the vices of fears, subdues anger, hidden pride, unexpressed and suppressed emotional hurt and the over powering misguiding ego. Dal rice diet over a prolonged time period will gradually reduce the burden of these emotions and memories. Sadhana on the inner light, Aatma Jyoti will gradually replace every negative mental and emotional aspect to bring Hope, Strength, Compassion, Humility and Steadfastness. This effort of diet control and meditation is fondly called “fast” …… simply because to hastens the process to Aatma darshan.

                                        As we all know, we sit for meditation, for introspection and begin very well with Guru darshan in our heart. But the old memories and the dancing prankful MIND and restless BODY will soon detract this meditative depth and the thoughts begin to wander around aimlessly or more often, in negative pursuits.

                                       Gurudeo knows this and urges us to continue this special ‘fast’ that will help strengthen the mental resolute for stillness and keep the body energized. Some sadhak are asked to go on this Anushthan (internal promise) for 45 days and some need to undertake it for longer periods of time. This is not to deny us the pleasures of life, it is to prepare us for the next step in harnessing our Internal powers of Shakti and Aatma Dyana that we seek with our Sadhguru.

                                        A diet of dal rice is representation of removal of weakness of anger, doubt, fear and misunderstanding. Rice enforces the strength of transformations and Dal enriches the steadfastness required for introspection. Water will support all the needs of the body and will assist the mind, emotions to transform universal energies for our progress. Water will wash out the un-necessary unwanted from our being. The body is gently detoxified and the mind and mental restlessness, angers and fears transform into happier, positive thoughts and an experience of silence, energized stillness pervades each moment.

                                         During this specific Anushthan, many sadhak who have done it earlier will surely agree. In the first few days the hunger memories fade away into a satisfaction of better health when the body becomes “lighter” and the mind calmer. In few more days, the need to eat reduces and the body is happy with more energy to do daily work. The pains, swellings, discomforts of sitting for longer periods during meditation reduce and the body and mind are restful in stillness. After about 10 to 12 days, the need for Dal rice further reduces, but is continued to nurture the body till the full time of the Anushthan process but the sadhana is completed only when Gurudeo asks the Sadhak to “fast” on water alone. By this time, the mind is free from negative thinking. Anger, fear, ego is replaced with calm thoughts, positive disposition, enriching perceptions and a very different kind of energy that helps the Sadhak reach greater, more divine depths of introspection, Aatma Darshan.

                       Our Sadhguru has made it very simple for us, every day people, in a short span of time to gain so much spiritual progress, resolve lifetimes of discord to reach the true, Universal energy. The success is in honest trial. This is an experiential path. Each experience more enriching and empowering towards our destination of Sat Chit Anand. All that we seek lies within.