Fasting in the monastic community is considered an ascetic practice, a “dhutanga” practice. Dhutanga means “to shake up” or “invigoration”. The Buddha, as is well known, emphasized moderation, the Middle Way that avoids extremes, in all things. Fasting is an additional method that one can take up, with supervision, for a time.
Life without freedom is like a body without a soul, and freedom without thought is like a confused spirit…
Many people know so little what is beyond their short range of experience. They look within themselves and find nothing! Therefore, they conclude that there is nothing outside themselves, either.
If we sincerely want to become a liberated person, then we have to be willing to be independent in a world where so few truly think for themselves.
