There is always a competition between the mind and the heart. Heart is emotional and mind is rational. The heart desires, the mind controls the desires, discussing the consequences of those desires. In most cases, the heart wins the argument.

Our temptations stem from the emotional side not rational side. When you undertake fasting, the mind starts winning over the heart. Gradually, a time will come when your heart and mind are aligned. Your mind will not be clouded by the desires of the heart; you will be able to focus, get clarity of thought and therefore take the right decisions.

I advocate fasting for the following reasons.

1) We dump too much of food in our system. It is not worth it. We are just brain-based workers and should take less food. Manual labourers who toil strenuously should take more food. For us, it is enough if we take light food like juice, fruits, salad.

2) During fasting your food intake will be less. And your system will relax from the well-deserved holiday; (Baba quips ‘that is why holy days are holidays!)

3) Unnecessary fatty substances will be burnt in the heat of fasting, because the digestive system in our body is fire. If you have any negative elements, those will be burnt during fasting. Health will be restored.

4) Controlling the desires of the heart through the mind. That is the training program to focus on the right direction.

 

( Baba's replies to other questions continues next week....)