The Sacred Art of Fasting by Thomas Ryan

This book is about doing something deeply human-fasting-and the reasons people from almost every religious tradition in the world do it.įasting, abstention from food and often drink for a designated period of time, has been practiced for centuries in connection with religious observance. Inspiring personal reflections, helpful advice, and encouragement from people who practice fasting answer your questions, allay your fears, and reveal how you too can safely incorporate fasting into your spiritual life. The Sacred Art of Fasting invites you to explore the practical approaches, spiritual motivations, and physical benefits of this ancient practice by looking at the ways it is observed in several faith traditions. And it doesn’t have to mean going weeks without food. But fasting doesn’t have to be intimidating. Though fasting is practiced in some form by nearly every faith tradition throughout the world, it is often seen as scary or something only for monastic life.

It is a wellspring for the spiritually dry, a compass for the spiritually lost, and inner nourishment for the spiritually hungry. It is a discipline of self-restraint, a ritual of purification, and a sanctuary for offerings of atonement.

It is an invitation to awareness, a call to compassion for the needy, a cry of distress, and a song of joy. Open your mind and heart and discover how the sacred art ofįasting can strengthen your spiritual appetiteįasting as a religious act increases our sensitivity to that mystery always and everywhere present to us….

The Sacred Art of Fasting by Thomas Ryan