When Fasting Becomes Shadow Work

But thou, when thou fastest, annoint thine head, & wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy father which is in secret, shall reward thee openly.

-Matthew 6:16-18

So when it comes to practicing any form of abstinence whether that be celibacy or dietary fasting, we consider it sacred. In the mindset that were tapping into the frequency of our higher nature for select reasons. The process in itself is a very intimate & spiritual experience, not likely to be understood by a lot of the people in our daily lives. For this reason alone, I usually make effort at keeping my abstinence private. Journaling or sharing the experience with others like-minded is one thing, but when it comes to those around us, I find it better reserving our intention as a shadow work.

The thing about the shadows is that once you do begin a spirit work, its not unusual that we find the people closest to us (often family & friends) becoming one of the main obstacles contrary to the progression of us achieving our goals. I find it usually the case that they become the distraction or the person attempting to prevent a thing without them even realizing they’re doing it. But understand that this doesn’t necessarily make them the “bad guy” when they do these things. More than likely they’re coming from a place of concern at the sense of your irregular behavior, & may be unable to perceive the spirit working within you.

In this I hear precept as it’s written:

“For they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward” - vs. 16

So even though our Peers are likely unable to perceive from spirit, it is likely that they sense the shift especially within our irregular behavior which then feeds their concern. This “irregular behavior” is what I would consider the “disfigured face” in the idea that you become non-recognizable in your actions. The next step to this is near toward gazing stock of weird looks & interrogation, much like being in the hot seat. To be of a sad countenance all the while enduring these things would only add fuel to the flames. In precept that they which do these things, “have their reward.” But we who strive for sincerity of spirit strive toward a more exceeding reward.

Learning to Manuver

So how do we maneuver ourselves in these situations according to spirit? There’s a calling for Patience over matter, that we be sure not to lose our own temperance in the process. Reason being that these things are often reflected back toward us as a lack in humility. I’m starting to see this form of fasting as a sort of spiritual training experience. One where our peers become our “Dojo.” That when we tap-in, those closest to us unknowingly help us at building up mental/emotional self-discipline in the process. Keeping this perception encourages healthy conscience, in which we’ll root-in with sincerity of spirit. The mindset that this experience builds a character with-in us more suitable to endure a higher form of fasting. Producing higher results with higher rewards with-in our Journey.