Yes, I'm an Orthodox Christian so bit more than half of the year is fast day. Fast day means that I eat vegan food moderately (with some exceptions, like fish allowed on some days) and also don't use oil when cooking. There are four longer lent periods around the year and each Wednesday and Friday are fast days. Although after some big feasts and before the Great Lent (which is before Eastern) there are weeks that are fast free.
At the beginning of Great Lent there are also three days that I try not to eat anything but usually it's not possible for me because of work, so I pick something small in the evening. Also during Great Lent I don't eat breakfast (to not break my fast ;)). Oh, and on Sunday if I attend Eucharist in the church I don't eat and drink anything before that.
Trying to follow these rules gives me a lot of joy and rhythm to my life. It makes me appreciate food, and also has made my diet simpler also in days that I'm not fasting. But the point isn't to restrict food but to be able to focus more on the spiritual struggles and tame your passions.
As a Muslim, this is so interesting. Fasting is such a big part of Islam too, with Mondays and Thursdays being recommended fasting days. Different implementations, sure, but very similar idea and also gives me rhythm in life plus focusing on the spiritual self. Thanks for sharing!
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Yes, I'm an Orthodox Christian so bit more than half of the year is fast day. Fast day means that I eat vegan food moderately (with some exceptions, like fish allowed on some days) and also don't use oil when cooking. There are four longer lent periods around the year and each Wednesday and Friday are fast days. Although after some big feasts and before the Great Lent (which is before Eastern) there are weeks that are fast free.
At the beginning of Great Lent there are also three days that I try not to eat anything but usually it's not possible for me because of work, so I pick something small in the evening. Also during Great Lent I don't eat breakfast (to not break my fast ;)). Oh, and on Sunday if I attend Eucharist in the church I don't eat and drink anything before that.
Trying to follow these rules gives me a lot of joy and rhythm to my life. It makes me appreciate food, and also has made my diet simpler also in days that I'm not fasting. But the point isn't to restrict food but to be able to focus more on the spiritual struggles and tame your passions.
As a Muslim, this is so interesting. Fasting is such a big part of Islam too, with Mondays and Thursdays being recommended fasting days. Different implementations, sure, but very similar idea and also gives me rhythm in life plus focusing on the spiritual self. Thanks for sharing!