Swami Vishwananda talks about Fasting

Sri Swami Vishwananda says "If you fast for the Self, to elevate it, this is the fasting that is put in front of all during the feast time in all religions. You don’t find it only in Hinduism. You find it in Christianity, you find it in the Muslim tradition, you find it everywhere; fasting is very important. What is happening during fasting is that in our head, something gets changed. During fasting time people are quieter within themselves. It is not the food that we are eating, it is not what we are drinking, but it’s our attitude. It’s the power that we have given to ourselves – that makes everything strong.

During fasting time you go through a purification of your mind. Of course, when pure things are put inside the body, the mind gets pure also. This purification helps you to become positive, so that whatever you do, you become more within yourself, discovering who you are in reality. That’s why you will see that scriptures say that one – at least once a week – should have a day that one fasts. It’s not to please God, you know. It’s to please your true Self."