Have you ever fasted (gone without food and/or water for a specific purpose)? What did you fast for? Was it beneficial to you? Additional thoughts?

My best friend is Muslim – I fasted with him for Ramadan except I only did it for a couple of days each time – the MSA (Muslim Student Association) always held special fasting events at NYU as fundraisers for specific causes (Darfur, Myanmar, etc.) and I always really liked attending these gatherings. I believe there is something important in Ramadan’s message that everyone should tune into: what is abundance, what is scarcity, how do these manifest themselves in our lives and in the lives of others?

As a young woman, I used to fast from sundown to sundown on Yom Kippur. I found it very difficult and distracting. But, as always. @Simone_De_Beauvoir makes salient points.

I fasted for four days once in middle school in order to rapidly lose weight. I’d been going on pro-ana websites; you know the drill.

Anyway, I passed out in geography class.

Yom Kippur. Is this an outing? ~

As a teen, I was made to fast with my guardian from Thursday through Saturday a couple of times, which she said was a requirement of her sect. It was supposed to purify and teach the parishioners to not be so gluttonous, supposedly, but I get the feeling that most of her coreligionists at the church didn’t do this fast every week like she did.

I used to work Thursday and Friday night so I would fast from Wed eve until Fri evening or Sat morning every week. Once a month I would fast Tue-Fri or Sat AM. I did it for the spiritual feeling and the extra energy I felt. Sounds strange but it worked for me.

I’ve fasted for different charity events to raise some funds.
I’ve fasted as part of Ramadam as I was staying with a Muslim family. I only took part for a couple of days.

The LDS fast once a month and it is for the prayers of the congregation. I have fasted for someone that is sick to help give my prayers and thoughts to their healing.

@JustmeAman
Beyond that, LDS/mormon members use fasting as a time to reflect on how fortunate they are to have food to eat and what it is like for people who are less fortunate. They donate the money they would have spent on food to those who are needy.

Thank you @phaedryx I left that out. Lurve to you

I fast on christmas Eve. My fam doesnt eat for the whole day. and on the next day we cant eat meat, same with easter