Ash Wednesday Fasting: Taking a Break the Reiki Way

Thinking about fasting during this Lenten season? Not a practicing Christian, but interested in Reiki and other spiritual paths? This article talks about how to abstain in a safe and healthy way.

1.        Make a commitment to abstain from one habit for a certain period of time.  Whether that be drinking alcohol, smoking, eating sweets, meat, surfing the Internet  or TV mindlessly, etc.  It could be one week, one month or longer.

2.       During that time of abstinence, reflect on how that habit has impacted your life in the past-positively and negatively.

3.       With #2 underway, you might discover that keeping a journal as you go along to be helpful to record thoughts and feelings about the habit that has been a part of your life.

4.       Practice good self-care.  Get a massage, practice self-Reiki, meditate.  Take this time for you to go within and explore how  this new space (absence of a habit) feels within.

5.       Find others who are also taking such a commitment-online or in person.  12 step recovery groups might work for some, Moderation Management might work for another.

6.       If you end up ‘cheating’ and going back to the habit during your commitment, don’t beat yourself up.  Reflect on what lead to the ‘slippage’.  What was the trigger?  Start over.

7.       When you reach the end of your commitment period, celebrate it.  Not with an overindulgence of the habit you abstained from, but a good pat on the back.  Receive some more self-care and nurturing.  You did it!

8.       As time goes on, notice if you want to take another extended commitment.  In Reiki, the founder, Mikao Usui fasted for 21 days before tapping into the source that is this healing art.  He had done fasts as part of his practice for many years.

9.       It usually does take 21 days to shift a pattern in one’s psyche, so be prepared to be surprised if you do go that long.

10.   Finally, remember, making a commitment to letting go of that which does not serve you is a powerful step in your healing.  Give credit where credit is due�"to you!