Restricting the body

Posted 4/22/07 (By Travis)

Restricting the body, Elevating the mind

4/22/07 Neoperspectives.com

In past posts, we've discussed the importance of constantly bettering oneself, thus achieving happiness, through careful introspection and monitoring of the mind, facilitation of positive habits, and meditation.

Along with this, there are also a number of 'exercises', if you will, that in both theory and practice can aid us in moving in positive directions. These practices are widespread across religious and eclectic spiritual practices, even if there is tendency in common culture to portray such practices negatively, or at very least, somewhat eccentric.

The common underlying theme is restricting the body of a want or, more commonly, a need, with deliberate and spiritual intention. For some examples, there are breathing exercises in Yoga where one holds the breath until near unconsciousness, fasting, abstinence, or other methods employed by various religious traditions, such as the Catholic Lent and Good Friday or the Muslim month of Ramadan.

The goal is that by performing such acts, we gain a deeper understanding of our mind, body, and consciousness, and more control over our thoughts, thus increasing our happiness. During a fast, one cannot help but constantly think of food. Of course, this is rather obvious and predictable; when one abstains from eating, hunger is experienced! Yet, when fasting we do not give into this hunger. We allow our mind to control our body, for once. But actions are of little importance and consequence, it is really our thoughts we are after, for it is possible to have a fair level of control over our actions, but remain in relative cognitive misery.

However, the focus should not be on eliminating our hunger pangs, or any other thoughts of tasty foods and fasting, but rather on a detached, peaceful, and happy observation of life itself and of these arising thoughts. There is a very important difference between 'being hungry' and 'observing that one is hungry'. The latter thought distances one from the part of the self that thinks "I, I, I, me, me, me" and instead of being a reactive robot in an environment, like an instinctive mindlessly experiencing animal, you operate at a higher level, like a thinking choosing human being. You are truly self aware and alive!

If we can achieve even incremental advances on such a powerful biologic thought churning force as hunger, then might we not in turn find it easier to stay reaction to the many subtle negative emotions and attachments constantly arising in our everyday experiences?

There exists common misconceptions that the purpose of denying the body is to suffer; some even seek to emulate the perceived 'suffering' of Christ, Buddha, and/or other spiritual or religious figures. But if these folks were the great saints or spiritual leaders their followers claim, then 'suffer' is certainly the one thing they did little of. Men and women of great spiritual caliber exert overwhelming joy and happiness, exhibit tremendous freedom of will, and exude great discernment and understanding. They soar on waves of joy, free from attachment to the self and body, and experience negligible negative emotions, thoughts, and judgments.

These positive feelings and thoughts are to be welcomed and encouraged during a fast. When the mind strays, gently bring it back. If said thoughts can be generated during a time of great physical upheaval, against these turbulent underlying biological pulsations, then how much easier will these positive states be to obtain in our normal mindsets?

So, the point of a fast is joy, not suffering. We do not withhold the breath to feel suffocation, but to feel lightness, and I don't mean headedness :), even over the protestations of the body.

Yet, isn't it a bit curious, this need to undergo these exercises in order to achieve positive advancement towards these goals? Can we not undertake these mental evaluations and exercises every day? When we are contentedly full, why do we reach for that extra bite? Why do we live to eat, live to breath, live to procreate etc.., instead of the other way around?

Certainly there exists the danger of becoming caught up and fanatical with spiritual exercises, becoming attached to outside perceptions about ones actions or image, excessive pride in ones lifestyle or advancements, to the point that one forgets the root reason for it all. These restrictions we undertake are reflective only of our weakness and difficulty maintaining sufficient regular motivation. The need to 'fast', for instance, is an admission one is not making spiritual headway elsewhere. This humility, hopefully reinforced by the pounding resurgent cravings experienced in restrictive states, is a necessary requirement for facilitating the continuation of the more important constant self monitoring, reflection, and improvements, and should continue even after the body has been denied its wont.