Spiritual fasting: A link between spirituality and mental health

• Main Authors: Go, Andrea Heather, Nadal, Anna Katrina, Ong, Oscar U.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 2007
• Subjects: Fasting; Spirituality; Mental health
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/7592
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study focuses on the experiences of spiritual fasting by studying the individual meanings, reasons, experiences and effects one undergoes. 15 participants were obtained using purposive, non-probability sampling and were subjected to one on one interviews. The data gathered from these interviews were then categorized through content analysis into themes that best characterized the spiritual fasting experience. Results show that some people fast because of obligation, petition, and psychological disequilibrium. During this time they experience physiological changes and changes in mood, of which they perform acts of devotion and acts of contemplation. The result is that spiritual fasting has certain effects on the mind such as clarity, awareness, perseverance, humility, and a stronger, deeper connection with a higher being. The researchers concluded that spiritual fasting was indeed able to promote positive change and growth in those who practiced it.