the heart of fasting

The gift of fasting is offered to embark on a journey of spiritual unification and delight. It's an extremely powerful tool used during times of need and transformation, to instruct and connect us to the divine and create last changes in our own lives and the lives of those we touch. To take such a journey should never be executed in a disrespectful manner...or with-out setting some clear intentions and focus. Before beginning a fast take time to reflect on why you are doing it. It easy to say I am doing this to receive blessings or visions or healing but none of these should be your primary desire or reason for doing so. Above all your desire to fast should be ruled by the desire in your heart to sit and be closer to spirit... to God, for through the journey of a fast you will be challenged to make spirit your source of food and not your physical, emotional, or mental bodies. Pay attention to how you feel and respond to the idea of fasting because if you think it's a high spiritual attainment or discipline to place a check mark on your list then you're feeding your ego and pride. Search your heart... are you being called to fast? Is spirit impressing upon you a time to focus connection and energy on higher things to witness the power of spirit and love transferring through your heart? If so then it is time and the fast is available to anyone who chooses this path of spiritual maturity and focus. 

Fasting is never a command it is always a movement of spirit and through this movement you will be guided by your heart. To enter into a fast any other way would yield very little results with the exception of maybe pushing one further away from spirit. We fast because we are called by spirit and by following the call we receive... not because we are seeking to receive but because we follow the call of spirit through our hearts. It a symbiotic relationship. 
In this relationship like any relationship it's purity is built on love. An unconditional-love that expects nothing in return but to give love and more love. And so we offer our sacrifice of unconditional love through the absence of physical food for spiritual food and through this I offer you a few protocols to consider on your journey...
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• Motives: What is motivating you to do this are there hidden reasons?
• Set your intensions: Why are you doing this fast?
• Give no-attention to ego! Do not go around telling people or advertising that you are on a fast...go about your daily business with no concern. If you find your-self hungry do not give a way to the temptation of advertising your physical state. Every-time hunger, fatigue or even anger in-sues you are to turn inward to the heart and call on spirit to support and nourish you. Remain quiet and composed, ego will try its best to find a way to rob you of your power to connect to a force greater than it!
• Stay away from social media and movies, turn to prayer and contemplation
• Drink plenty of water preferably warm water
• Do not over exert yourself and rest when you need to
• When your thoughts move to your stomach turn your focus to spirit and offer your prayers and supplications for connection and/or the transformations taking place
• Be aware of distractions for we are masters of distraction!
• Be open to receive nothing and everything... allow spirit to dictate your journey
• Move into gratitude!

Here is link to the Pran Mudra to assist during your fast. I also recommend the Breath of Fire to fuel the body and using frankincense oil on your face to maintain your composure by not attracting on lookers. I have faith that as you enter into a fast you will find your heart and your devotion to spirit and through this you may be blessed, Ria-Mae.