| "I grew up in a Catholic family in a small town of 1,200 called Bird Island in southern Minnesota. I first learned about fasting in 1953, when I was in the second grade and preparing for my first Holy Communion..." (from the first line) Introduces fasting as a spiritual practice that anyone can do, regardless of religious background. The Sacred Art of Fasting serves as a welcoming introduction to the whys and ways of fasting. This ancient practice has roots in nearly every religion around the world. In different forms in different faiths, people fast as an expression of God-consciousness, humility, repentance, purification, and concern for others. A companion for the reader's journey as well as a practical guidebook, The Sacred Art of Fasting shares helpful insights that will inspire readers to begin or deepen their own fasting practice through a comprehensive look at fasting as practiced in many spiritual traditions, inspiring reflections from people who practice fasting, and advice on how to incorporate fasting into spiritual life.
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"An ancient treasure awaiting discovery," is how Thomas Ryan describes fasting in this guide for beginners who want to include fasting in their spiritual practice. Without any attempt to be trendy or modern, Ryan conveys the spiritual dimensions of fasting, seeing it as a voluntary action with great spiritual and therapeutic effect. He places fasting in the various religious traditions--Judaism,Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, and Latter-Day Saints--with a chapter on each that explains the rituals and practices involved. (In Judaism, for example, fasting is used in purification, and in mourning; in Islam, for Allah-Consciousness, self-restraint, and social solidarity.) Next, Ryan offers practical instruction on fasting, along with FAQs. Finally, he includes alternative forms of fasting ("Fast with your eyes; fast from judging others.") that do not relate to food but can have positive behavioral benefits. In THE SACRED ART OF FASTING, which is part of a series that brings ancient practices to modern audiences, Thomas Ryan provides an encouraging and informative overview that should serve as good grounding for further study.
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