Fasting in Mystical Traditions: A Method for Achieving Altered States of Consciousness

Fasting is a common practice in many spiritual and mystical traditions around the world. It involves voluntarily depriving oneself of food for a specific period of time, often with the aim of raising consciousness, achieving a state of mental and physical purification, or drawing closer to the divine. This ancient method has been used in many cultures to prepare the body and mind for profound mystical experiences.

Fasting and the transformation of consciousness

In most traditions, fasting is seen as a way to free oneself from material needs in order to focus on what is essential: the spiritual dimension. By depriving the body of food, attention is diverted from physical desires, allowing the mind to open to altered states of consciousness. These states may include greater mental clarity, visions, spiritual experiences, or a sense of oneness with the universe.

Fasting in the Vedic Traditions of the Seven Rivers Civilization

In the Seven Rivers civilization, which encompasses the Rig Veda culture, fasting was an essential preparation before sacred rituals. An interesting example is that of Vedic sacrifices, where fasting played a key role in accessing elevated spiritual states.

Before the consumption of soma, a sacred drink used to achieve altered states of consciousness, the sacrificers – those who offered the sacrifice – followed a strict diet for four days. They consumed only yogurt, a simple and pure food. This fast was intended to purify their body and mind, preparing them for the intense experience that would follow. This deprivation, combined with the fatigue due to the lack of sleep during the night of the 4th to the 5th day, allowed the effects of soma to be felt more quickly and more intensely.

The Role of Fasting in Other Mystical Traditions

Besides the Seven Rivers civilization, fasting is practiced in other cultures for similar purposes. In Christianity, for example, fasting is used to draw closer to God, while in Buddhism, it is practiced to detach the mind from material distractions. Sufis, a mystical branch of Islam, also use fasting to purify the soul and achieve ecstatic states of consciousness.

Conclusion

Fasting, by limiting food intake, creates a fertile ground for spiritual elevation. It allows the mind to free itself from physical constraints, and when combined with rituals such as those of the Seven Rivers Civilization, it becomes a powerful tool for achieving altered states of consciousness.