FASTINGFOR THE SOUL
Technicallyspeaking,thesoulistheentirecomplexmakinguptheindividualpersonalityasacondi-
tionedexpressionoftheUniversalSpiritduetoignorance.However,inourstudy,wewillconfine
ourdefinitionofthesoulastheunconsciouslevelofmindthatcontainstheimpressionsofindividual-
ity,whichcausethecreationofthesubconsciousandtheconsciousmind,whichinturnsustainsthe
physicalbody.Theseimpressions,calledAri’sinKemeticPhilosophy,arethekarmiccausesofthe
inclinations,desiresandtendenciesofthepersonality.Theimpressionssurfaceasdesiresinthemind,
andengenderthoughtswhichimpelthepersonalitytoperformactionsintheworldoftimeandspace.
Amongthisgroupofimpressionsaretobefoundthemaincausesofdisease,theimpressionsthat
promotetheideaofindividualityandthedelusionofmortalexistence.Iftheseimpressionswere
cleansed,themindwouldunderstanditstruesourceandnature,andthusbecomeenlightened.Thisis
theultimategoalofallspiritualpractices.Therewouldbenomoreburdenandpressureontheper-
sonality.Therewouldbeanexperienceofsupremepeace,joyandhealth,sincetherewouldnolonger
beanyobstructionbetweentheSpiritanditsenergy(LifeForce)reachingeveryaspectofthe
personality.
- Practicemeditationdaily-thesoulneedstranscendentalfood
thatisnotavailableintheworldoftimeandspace.Itneedsto
imbibeofitsowndivineandeternalnature.Nocar,house,boat,
relationship,fameorfortunewillsuffice.Thisiswhypeoplewho
seemtohaveitallstillremainmiserableandunfulfilledinlife.
Practice a minimum of 20 minutes of meditation each day.
- Traintheintellecttorefrainfromallowingnegativethoughtsto
remainlodgedintheunconsciousmind.Donotharborfeelings
of anger, hatred, and greed towards anyone or anything.
- Discoverthepathofdetachment.Sinceyouareultimatelyone
withtheUniversalSelf,inrealityyouareonewithallthingsso
youneednotdesireanythingoranyone.Discoverthefullness
that is within you already.
The Sublime Dimensions of Fasting
Fastingpromotesthedevelopmentofwillpowerandcontroloverthemindandsenses.Italsopro-
motestheabilitytoconcentratethemind.Theseareprerequisitesonthepathtowardsspiritualen-
lightenment.Therefore,itisnosurprisethatalmostallspiritualtraditionsadvocatesomeformoffast-
ing as part of the spiritual disciplines.
Itisawonderthatmostpeopletalkaboutfastingasadisciplineofabstainingfromfood,butthey
reallyarereferringtosolidfood.Inessence,thedisciplineoffastingreallyincludesfastingfrom
everythingthatimpedestheexperienceoftheDivine.Thismeansthatyoumustthinkoffoodasmore