For me, one of the greatest benefits of fasting is that it makes you realize that our beloved body works also very well for a few days without food intake.
In our consuming disordered world, this realization is (unfortunately) something very special. It’s about renunciation. But not completely.
The hunger (the one in the head not in the stomach) actually demands something completely different than food: rest, tenderness, relaxation or just time for ourselves. Sometimes we just want to reward ourselves, for an exhausting day or for an achieved goal.
While I look at the beauty of nature, I do never feel hungry e.g. during our walks on the beach, or while hiking through the forest or through the vineyards of the Penedès region, whether I am fasting or not. It is as if the needs of our soul are satisfied by the beautiful view from the mountain, the melody of the waves or the energy of contemplating a sunset. That feels great.
Fasting is for me the opposite of consumption, and has so many other benefits.
When this hunger comes to our mind our soul cries for virtual food: a barefoot walk on the beach or in a meadow, a walk through the forest or a short hike through the mountains, with rosemary scent.
I think we should eat much more virtually.
And best of all, it’s free, like almost all the nice things in life.
