[Salvation]

HOW TO FAST

Fast from judging others;
Feast on Christ dwelling in them.

Fast from apparent darkness;
Feast on the reality of light.

Fast from pessimism;
Feast on optimism.

Fast from thoughts of illness;
Feast on the healing power of God.

Fast from words that pollute;
Feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from anger;
Feast on patience.

Fast from worry;
Feast on Divine Providence.

Fast from unrelenting pressure;
Feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from negatives;
Feast on positives.

Fast from complaining;
Feast on appreciation.

Fast from hostility;
Feast on non-resistance.

Fast from bitterness;
Feast on forgiveness.

Fast from anxiety;
Feast on hope.

Fast from yourself;
Feast on a silent heart.

[MantillaMilitant]

Thanks for the Fast/Feast, I had never seen it before.

[Kolokotronis]

Your suggestions are fine, S. But frankly, denying the self through fasting and abstinence, will lead to the virtues and practices you list...and many, many more.

As you know, the Orthodox fast for Great Lent means no meat or meat products (eggs, dairy), no fish with a backbone, virtually no oil, virtually no wine. Most of us do it, at least the no meat part. Of course, we are very bad people and need it. But going the 40+ days without that food is frankly, tough. It makes the joy of Pascha all the greater, however, so much more so that most of us actually look forward to Lent.

[dsc]

“Fast from yourself”

Don’t understand that.