Let’s remember that nobody can know more about your health, than your own family doctor and any suggestions here must not replace any advice given by your doctor. Your doctor will know what is a healthy diet for you when you are pregnant. Everybody is different and every pregnancy is different. The doctors advice is the best to take and the following are guidelines only.

Getting a well balanced diet is not only important for the pregnant women but for her unborn baby as well. The saying “eating for two” jumps into mind and visions of a fat pregnant women stuffing herself with all the food she can get in her mouth. Of course, her doing so shows a total disregard for herself and her unborn child.

Eating a healthy diet the pregnant women is not only looking after herself, which isn’t a bad idea, but also she is building a strong foundation for the health of the unborn child. This being what all mothers want for their children, a strong healthy start to life can be reflected on how healthy the mother is during pregnancy. Of course sometimes this can be out with her control due to many other factors too numerous to mention here.

Over eating can be a mistake easily made by the mother to be and she should refrain from such a habit. Not only is this an unhealthy practice but can lead to weight problems during and after pregnancy. It’s easier to keep the weight off rather than having to fight to get it off later. The new baby in your life will keep you occupied enough without you having to worry about losing weight.

When feeling a bit peeved or frustrated fight the urge to have chocolate cake, during pregnancy, which will only make you gain weight that will be rather more difficult to lose later on. Try snacking on a bit of fruit or have a bowl of muesli, even beans on toast would be a better alternative.

The healthy diet for a pregnant women referred to here, is not one for you to lose weight rather to eat healthily for you and obviously for your unborn child. What food should you eat to stay healthy? Well, the obvious foods would be fresh fruit and vegetables. Remember that dark green vegetables are rich in iron and should always be part of at least the main meal of the day.

Vitamin supplements are used in conjunction with food not as an alternative, people tend to forget that natural food has an abundance of nutrients that you can only get through a balanced healthy diet. Staying away from sweets seems like common sense but if you are accustomed to the odd sweet or two then you may have to build up your willpower to refrain from eating them.

Being pregnant means the food you eat is kept in your intestines for longer. This is caused by hormones in your system that prevent you going into labour early and means you get more nutrition absorbed into your system. Keeping constipation at bay could easily be done by drinking lots of fluids. Your body’ s system needs frequently flushed out.

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There is a very strong and direct relationship between nutrition and your dental health. The vitamins and minerals you consume have the ability to strengthen or weaken your teeth and gums. By consuming a well-balanced diet you can experience the benefits of better oral health. A well-balanced diet is one which is rich in fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, meats, dairy products and whole grains. By limiting the amount of processed and sugary foods you consume can also help the health of your teeth and gums.

If you are not getting the required amount of vitamins and minerals in your diet, this can have a very serious effect on your body’s ability to fight off infections. Infections such as gingivitis, and periodontitis, a bacterial infection which destroys tissues and bones which support teeth, can be very detrimental to your overall dental well-being. A healthy immune system is required to fight infections and the immune system requires good nutrition be supplied to it in order to work properly.

Calcium is a major mineral which affects the health of your teeth. Calcium is used by the body to build strong teeth and to build strong bones, including the bone which holds your teeth in place. If your diet is lacking in calcium you are much more likely to suffer from tooth loss. An average American diet should include at least 1000 milligrams of calcium each day. You can easily consume enough calcium by eating dairy products and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Vitamin C also plays a very important role in the health of your body as well as your teeth and gums. Vitamin C helps to strengthen your body’s immune system in addition to being a wonderful antioxidant. The average person should consume approximately 60 milligrams of Vitamin C each day. This is about as much as is found in a single orange. Without adequate Vitamin C in your body you will be much more likely to develop gingivitis. Gingivitis is a mild form of periodontal disease and causes gums to be painful as well as causing bad breath. To get enough Vitamin C in your diet you will need to eat fresh fruits and vegetables or drink their juices.

Drinking lots of water is good for your overall health and for your teeth and gums as well. Drinking water keeps your mouth moist and helps to ward off tooth decay and gum diseases by washing away food and neutralizing plaque. If you choose to drink juices or other drinks which contain sugar, you will want to brush your teeth after consuming them, or at least follow them with water. The acids in juice, as well as the sugars, can cause tooth decay if allowed to sit on teeth too long.

By eating foods high in fiber, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, you can increase the saliva flow in your mouth. This increased saliva will help to neutralize acids and clean teeth of any left behind food particles.

If you are diabetic, or pre-diabetic, it is vitally important to control your blood sugar levels through careful monitoring and medication if necessary. When blood sugar levels go unchecked it increases the risks of periodontal diseases which can lead to overall decreases in your health as periodontal diseases can lead to heart attacks, strokes and other systemic infections as well.

If you are pregnant you will want to watch your nutrition very closely because the nutrition of the mother directly affects the developing teeth of the unborn child. You need to insure you are getting enough calcium for your teeth and for the development of your unborn child’s teeth too.

As you can see there is a strong relationship between nutrition and your dental health. By making sure your diet is rich in healthy foods and that you drink enough water each day, you can help to ensure your teeth and gums will be as healthy as possible.

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Eating healthy can be difficult, especially if you are a person who is constantly on the run. Today, more than ever, people are finding it necessary to try to maneuver around busy schedules, while still maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The busier you are, the more difficult this is, but it is not an impossible fete. Because you are on the go, it is extremely important to give proper attention to eating as healthy as possible. Below are ten tips that will help get you pointed in the right direction.

Eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods. You need over 40 different nutrients for good health, and no single food will supply them all.

Eat plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. There is a wide variety out there from which to choose, so you should have no problem finding some you like.

Maintain a healthy weight. Your appropriate weight will depend on many different factors such as body type, size, your height, gender, and heredity. This is very important for maintaining good health, and is easy to ignore when you are constantly on the go.

Eat food in moderate portions. If you keep portion sizes to this level, you will be able to maintain a good weight. You will also get used to eating those portions.

Eat meals on a regular basis. When you are on the go, it is easy to skip meals, or substitute eating healthy foods for fast food.

Reduce certain foods instead of eliminating them altogether. Elimination is why many diets do not work. Here, people often cut out certain foods altogether in order to [http://www.toneamatic.com/]lose weight. Once they have lost the desired amount of weight, they assume their previous eating habits, which only results in subsequent weight gain. By eliminating certain foods, you also runt he risk of not getting important nutrients.

Balance your food choices over time. Not ever food must be perfect, but you want to create a balance that will help you get the food groups you need, while helping to cut back on unwanted fats or sugar. This does not mean you should eliminate them altogether.

Know your diet pitfalls. Before you can identify what is wrong with your eating habits, you must first identify them. To do this, write down everything you eat over a three-day period. Then, compare what you ate with what you should be eating. This will help you figure out where you are going wrong.

Make changes gradually. Revamping your diet habits is a process that is accomplished over time, not overnight.

Keep in mind that foods are not necessarily good or bad. When selecting foods, do so with your total eating patterns in mind, not on whether or not an individual food is “good” or “bad”.

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Eating healthy is important to avoid becoming fat and health problems. Foods for students can be a challenging subject because kids tend to eat sugar, sugar, sugar!

Whether your child is in kindergarten or college, making healthy food choices throughout the day will certainly make a positive impact on their life and even their academic achievement. Providing your child with a balanced diet full of nutrients will go a long way towards helping them succeed. Simple changes and improvements can be very beneficial.

Instead of allowing your students to buy school lunch each day, which can often times be high in fat and calories and lack nutritional value, pack students lunches from home. Include sandwiches on whole wheat bread and fresh deli meats. Instead of chips, pack whole grain crackers and yogurt for dessert! As an alternative to soda, encourage your student to drink low fat milk or flavored water with added nutrients. If you do allow your child to eat the school’s lunch, only do so once or twice a week.

All kids love to nibble and with so many enticing but unhealthy snacks on the market, it can be hard to make good choices. Keep unhealthy snacks such as cookies, chips and other foods high in sugars and fats out of your house! Instead, stock up on fruits and vegetables with fat free dip and other low calorie snacks. Cheese and whole grain crackers as well as sugar free popsicles are both tasty alternatives to other high calorie options. When your students deserve a treat, be sure to enforce moderation control and emphasize it as key in a healthy diet.

If you are a college student, chances are you have a hard time finding affordable and healthful foods. All of those prepackaged meals and the food served in the dining halls are hardly what the dietician ordered! Eat plenty of salads loaded with healthy elements such as raisins, carrots, cucumbers and even sunflower seeds. When you add lots of alternatives to the lettuce, your salad will become as tasty as the burger and fries down the buffet line! Go easy on the dressing or choose a vinaigrette alternative. If you are out with friends for pizza, skip the double cheese and fatty pepperoni on your pie. Go for similarly tasty but more healthful alternatives such as pineapple and ham Hawaiian pizza. Have only two slices instead of three! For snacks, choose an apple or baked chips instead of macaroni and cheese or cookies.

With simple and affordable alternatives to unhealthy foods, it is easy to be a student and still eat healthy foods and live a nutritious life. Fight temptation and when you just can’t, don’t forget to eat in moderation.

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1) Are you eating too much – If your total calorie intake is still too high, you may need to eat slightly less each day to get your weight loss moving. Just 150-200 calories a day might just do it! It is very easy to exceed the amount of calories your body can actually “use” just by having those extra biscuits everyday, the drinks in the evening. Having treats and little extras once a week isn’t going to hurt - but if you have a small “daily extra” eating habit, it will make a difference to your weight loss. If you are already eating small amounts, read on…

2) Have you balanced your protein, CHO and fat to suit YOUR body? Macronutrient balance is crucial to effective fat loss. Some people are particularly sensitive to carbohydrates in their diet and store fat easily with carbs. These are the people who gain weight easily and often say “I have a slow metabolism”. Be aware of the potential to gain weight with too much carbohydrate.

3) Are you eating “quality” nutritious food? You need plenty of nutrients to lose weight effectively, so make sure the foods you are eating are natural, unprocessed and nutrient-dense foods.

4) Are you exercising enough times in the week – You know one of the best reasons to exercise, is you can eat more, without worrying about gaining fat! Exercise increases levels of fat-burning enzymes and regulates hormones involved in fat metabolism. If you are existing on very few calories, but not losing weight, you really do need to exercise more often than you are, as well as eat small balanced meals very regularly throughout the day – maybe 5 to 6 times. This is a great way (and possibly the only way) to drive your metabolism back up. The less you eat the more you drive your metabolic rate down. It is always better to burn your excess fat by exercising, not try to starve it away! For effective weight (fat) loss, try and be active daily, but specifically, do at least 3 “aerobic” exercise sessions 30-60 mins 3-5 times a week. My ideal recommendation would be 5 sessions of 45-60 minutes.

5) Are you exercising for LONG enough – Read the above again! If you are already doing 30 minutes, 3 times a week, then increase those sessions to 45 minutes. You will see a difference in a few weeks, if you not compensating by eating more!

6) Have you thought about changing the TYPE of exercise you do? The body adapts very quickly to a mode of exercise. If you always cycle, try power walking and progressing to running, or try and build up your stamina in the pool, or a stair master or cross-trainer. There are many ways nowadays to find effective modes of cardiovascular exercise.

7) Have you thought about incorporating intervals into your aerobic exercise sessions? “Intervals” are repeated bursts of higher intensity exercise, lasting anywhere between 1-5 minutes. Not only do they make an exercise session more interesting, they help the body burn more calories during exercise AND more fat after exercise. Not a bad deal for simply “stepping out of your comfort zone” once in while!

If you are trying to lose weight and get fitter, don’t worry if you feel you haven’t got EVERYTHING right. Work on the important aspects that relate to YOU, and if you need help – ask.

Lucy-Ann Prideaux MSc BSc RNutr is a registered Nutritionist in the UK. She runs a nutrition consultancy “Simply Nutrition”, and is author and founder of YeartoSlim, a popular year-long e-mail delivered weight loss program, and on-line community.
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E-mail me at lucy@simply-nutrition.co.uk

Anyone who is interested in a surgery of choice such as a gastric bypass surgery would know the benefits to be gained from it. It is also important for a patient to be aware of the risks associated with various aspects of the operation. Even though gastric bypass surgery is growing in popularity as a solution for obese people, it is important to consider carefully the pros and cons of the mandatory post surgery diets before going ahead with the operation.

Patients and physicians should carefully weigh the benefits and risks of a gastric bypass diet as recorded by The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The chief benefit is that most patients lose weight quickly and continue to lose it for 18 to 24 months after the procedure due to their being strictly on a gastric bye pass diet. Most patients regain 5 to 10 percent of the weight they have lost. The surgery and the diet improves most cases of diabetes, asthma, heart diseases, gallbladder disease, sleep apnea syndrome, respiratory insufficiency, stress urinary incontinence, low back pain and degenerative disk disease, and degenerative joint disease, gastro esophageal reflux disease and quite a few other obesity-related conditions

Though these benefits are very tempting, a gastric bypass diet has its share of risks. Some obese patients who have had weight-loss surgery develop gallstones. During rapid or substantial weight loss, a person’s risk of developing gallstones increases. Nearly 30 percent of patients who have had weight-loss surgery develop nutritional deficiencies such as anemia, osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease due to the nature of diets that follow. Women who have undergone gastric bypass surgery should avoid pregnancy until their weight becomes stable. It has been seen that rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies can harm a developing fetus.

To go through with a gastric bypass surgery is a personal decision as well as a medical one. Most doctors will make the risks and benefits clear to the patients. In addition to assessing the surgery itself, it is important to consider the pros and cons of the post surgery diet before making a final decision. Depending on their specific medical conditions, a gastric bypass diet will either help individuals to lose rapid weight or result in life threatening complications. [http://www.e-gastricbypasssurgery.com]Gastric Bypass Surgery provides detailed information on Gastric Bypass Surgery, Cost of Gastric Bypass Surgery, Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery, Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery and more. Gastric Bypass Surgery is affiliated with [http://www.e-bariatricsurgery.com]Bariatric Surgery Patients.

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Indonesian Shamanic Methods of Fasting & Austerities by Leonard Lee

Fasting and asceticism are essential practices in Javanese Kejawen and shamanism–especially Indonesian shamanism. Most of the unusual and unique powers acquired in Indonesian occultism are dependent upon the mastery of these disciplines with their many forms and variations. Another important factor that must not be overlooked in the acquisition of these occult powers is the knowledge of the correct timing such as the proper month and day which magickal rites and disciplines are to be commenced, and this is intrinsically linked with the Javanese calender; this however, will not be dealt with in this article for it is beyond its scope. We will mainly focus on the many variations of fasting and the austerities carried-out in Javanese mysticism/occultism.

Fasting as a religio-spiritual practice is known the world over by modern and ancient cultures. Initially, fasting was the result of the inaccessibility of food and proper nourishment in the face of lack and poverty. It was later adopted by the religious/shamanic community for magickal and devotional purposes as it was found to provide certain interesting results psychologically, biologically, and metaphysically. The ancient grimoires, both eastern and western, are filled with rituals that require fasting as a preparation for the work.

Modern researches on fasting reveals that the practice results in health and in a regeneration of the physical body when done rationally and not carried into extremes. Fasting maintains one’s health as it provides the needed rest to the digestive organs.

From the magickal perspective, fasting has an occult effect on both mind and body. Shamanic fasting changes the polarity of the physical body and also raises its vibrations, making it sensitive to the magickal frequencies imperceptible to the five senses. It especially sensitizes the autonomic nervous system making it a fine receptor for receiving psychic impressions that are overlooked by the nerves of the central nervous system.

Psychologically, fasting induces a certain borderline state making the mind susceptible to data fed into it in the form of affirmations, mantras, and prayers, and thus strengthening subconscious response to the information given. Fasting likewise orients the mind to the spirit within making it conducive for inner attunements and communications to take place with the Cosmic Mind and the various intelligences composing It. The increased vibrations of the body, cleansed of all toxic matter through fasting makes it possible for the attraction of certain types of spirit beings that normally would not come into close proximity to us because of the noxious affluvia that we emanate. Indonesian shamanism urges one to fast on one’s natal day (according to the Javanese calender) to accumulate extra power and to strengthen the relationship with one’s guardian angel and what they call the “four spirit brothers.”

There is no denying that fasting aids the etheric body to accumulate cosmic power, especially when done in conjunction with the appropriate metaphysical exercises. Without physical nourishment, the body is forced to acquire the energy it needs through some other channels. When adopted as a regular practice, fasting unfolds psychic sensitivity.

As a spiritual discipline, fasting teaches one to refrain from greed in all of its hideous forms. It is a practical reminder of the injunction of the Master Jesus: “to be in this world, but not of it.” Fasting, when accompanied with contemplation and spiritual reflection, causes beneficial changes in one’s psyche. By fasting from the things of this world one would find oneself being nourished by the Divine Spirit, as Nature hates a vacuum. One would become a “god-eater” where physical nourishment becomes superfluous. This is, of course, quite an advance stage.

Generally speaking, during the period of fasting/austerities one should refrain from generating negative thoughts, feelings, and actions and should be busily engaged in spiritual works. It is a time of introspection and the reaching out (in) for the divinity within us. One’s thoughts ought to be kept at a lofty level. If the fasting is related to a magickal ritual, the meditation or mantras of the work ought to be conducted or recited during the fast. The intention of the abstention of food and drink must be affirmed and impressed upon the subconscious mind ere the commencement of the ritual itself.

In Javanese mysticism, fasting is normally carried out during certain months of the Javanese calender, such as the month of Sura, as these months are considered conducive to spiritual activities. Fasting periods are between 1–40-days. Auspicious days to commence one’s fasting from the Kejawenese point of view are Kliwon-Tuesday, Legi-Wednesday, and Pahing-Thursday. Fasts/austerities ought to be preceded by a holy wash/ritual cleansing, as this puts one into the proper frame of mind–aside from its other metaphysical benefits.

During fasting and the conducting of the austerities, one would indubitably encounter varied forms of temptations, visions, and physical discomfort that would thwart one’s efforts. This is partially the result of the body elemental’s protest against the discipline imposed. Because of its puerile and irrational nature, it will not accept anything that would upset its routine work.

Fasting and austerities brings out the worst in us onto the surface–and this is indeed a blessing as we would be made aware of all the neurosis, psychosis, and complexes lurking within the psyche that requires our attention in the art of transmutation. These dark elements are often projected onto the consciousness in the forms of hallucinations and illusions. This is one of the alchemical stages symbolically described by the mages of old. When these forms arise one should understand what they represent or interpret their symbolical nature. Knowing what they are is the first step of getting rid of them, of which would consequently make it easier for the empowerment of one’s psyche and the raising of one’s magickal power-level. It should be noted that even though such blocks are removed, one still has the source of the problem lying deep within in our spiritual forgetfulness and divine ignorance. They are like tentacles belonging to an unseen creature which if not killed, new limbs would form. However, we are digressing; this topic goes beyond the scope of this present article.

One thing more should be mentioned: traditionally, we are informed that inspirations, visions, and intuitive impressions of worth occurs from 1 am to dawn. It is said that during this period the impressions emanate from a divine source. At other nocturnal periods they issue forth from the subconscious mind or from spirit beings of the lower planes.

At the conclusion of any ritual fast or austerity it is a custom in Javanese occultism/shamanism to offer a thanks-giving consisting of yellow rice, glutinous-rice porridges, fruits, etc.The practitioner would invite friends and relatives to the feast.

Below are most of the methods of fasting and austerities as taught in Kejawen. We have intentionally left out the types of the left-handed path:

Mutih

In this fast one may only eat white rice without anything else to go along with it. Not even salt or other condiments. Mutih is a tasteless meal. One may perhaps simply eat plain bread providing no salt has been added to the dough. In the mutih fast only plain mineral water is permissible to satisfy one’s thirst. One may eat several times a day but with the stated conditions or once a day as perhaps designated in the magickal rite.

Ngeruh

In this fast one may only consume vegetarian meals. Meat is to be completely avoided. Fish, eggs, and animal products are not to be consumed in this fasting method. It is permissible to eat 3 times a day. This fast is actually the refraining from eating animal life-forms.

Ngebleng

This fast/austerity is a cessation of all normal activities. One may not eat, drink, get out of the house, or engage in sexual activities. Sleep should be minimized. One should preferably stay in one’s room for the designated period–normally for 24 hours. During the twilight and night hours, the room should preferably be without physical illumination. The room itself should be dark. In this austerity it is permissible to visit the WC (located in other parts of the house), unlike the next difficult discipline.

Patigeni

Like the above, one may not eat, drink or engage in any sexual activities. In addition, one may not sleep, get out of the room, or have any physical illumination during night hours. One has to be in complete seclusion in a dark room. If one has the natural urge to discharge any waste in has to be done in the room–one with a bathroom attached to it would be a fitting place for this austerity. Depending on the requirements of the magickal rite, this austerity may run for a period of 24 hours, 3, 7 days, or more.

Ngelowong

This is a lighter form of the above two austerities. One may not eat or drink for the designated period. Three hours is the maximum sleep allowed. One may wander outside of the house.

Ngrowot

This is a complete fast from dawn to dusk. When one breaks the fast in the evening, one may only consume fruits–nothing else! This is a fruitarian discipline. It is permissible for one to eat as much as desired so long as they are of the same kind–bananas, for instance. The other harsh disciplines of the above such as seclusion, no sleep, do not apply in this austerity.

Nganyep

This is a fast from consuming anything that would cause a sensation in the tongue. In other words, the things that one eats or drinks should be tasteless. It is similar to mutih except that one has a more variety of foods to choose from: for instance, the tasteless diet biscuits . . .

Ngidang

Only edible leaves are eaten and plain water drunk in this austerity. Other foods and fluids are not allowed to be consumed.

Ngepel

Ngepel means “fist-full.” In this fast, one eats a single meal a day and only a hand-full of rice is allowed or unless indicated by the requirements of the magickal ritual; two or three fist-full may be permitted. A very difficult fast as three days may be required to complete it.

Ngasrep

Only cold, tasteless foods and drinks are eaten and drunk in this fast–three times a day, if you will.

Monday-Thursday Fast

This fast is normally done at the conclusion of the other types of fasts. On Mondays and Thursdays one would refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. It is uncertain if this fast originates with Islam, as this religion also teaches it.

Wungon

This is a complete fast–the abstinence of food and drinks–for a period of 24 hours. One should also not sleep for that 24 hour period.

Other Austerities

Jejeg

No bending of the legs (i.e. no sitting) for 12 hours from dawn to dusk.

Lelana

Non-stop walking from midnight to 3 am. This is a time for introspection.

Kungkum

This is quite an interesting austerity. Many have found strange sensations occurring in their body as a result of this discipline. The method of Kungkum is thus: one has to submerge oneself naked in a sitting position up to the neck at the mouth of a river where two minor rivers meet. One has to face against the currents. The appropriate place and spot ought to be located before starting this austerity–the currents should not be too strong and the sand-bed flat. The environment should be quiet without other human beings lingering about. Commenced in the middle of the night, Kungkum is to be carried-out for the designated period by the magickal rite which may be 3 hours or more. Needless to say, this requires lots of practice. One must not fall asleep while doing the Kungkum as this would be perilous–one must not even move as this would defeat the purpose of the austerity. Before entering the river one has to perform a ritual cleansing. While in the actual act of submerging into the water the following mantra ought to be recited:

“Putih-putihing mripatku Sayidina Kilir, Ireng-irenging mripatku Sunan Kali Jaga, Telenging mripatku Kanjeng Nabi Muhammad.”

The eyes should be shut, and the hand crossed over the chest. The body’s lower orifices also ought to be closed (perhaps one with a plug made out of cork) and the breathing regulated accordingly.

The Kungkum discipline is often carried-out for a period of 7 consecutive nights. It is especially useful in accumulating magickal force.

Ngalong

In this austerity one meditates with the feet up in the air with the head pointing downwards. The feet may be supported by a wall or one may do any related yoga asana for this. More advanced methods requires one to hang oneself upside down on tree branches, like bats. One should not attempt to sway or move while hanging thus. Physically, the constant exercise of this discipline helps the practitioner to develop the ability to control the breath–to refrain from breathing for hours at a time. This austerity is accompanied by the Ngrowot fasting method.

Ngeluwang/Nglowong

Ngeluwang is considered to be a frightening austerity that really tests one’s courage. Various magickal powers are said to be acquired through the constant practice of Ngleluwang such as clairvoyance and the ability to making another see illusions. In Ngeluwang one has to place oneself in a large hole dug for the purpose, preferably in a graveyard or in a quiet place, and to remain there for the designated period–normally 24 hours. The basic biological needs of the body such as nourishment may be catered to. While carrying out this austerity one may face many temptations and frightening visions. Before entering the hole, the mantra below ought to be recited:

“Niat ingsun nglowong, anutupi badan kang bolong, siro mara sira mati, kang ganggu marang jiwa ingsun, lebur kaya dene banyu krana Allah Ta’ala.”

From the descriptions of the types of fasting and austerities above, it can be seen that they are not easy to accomplish. The people of our contemporary times lack the fortitude as compared with the older generations; thus many do not possess the powers that their ancestors displayed.

Nowadays, with the materialistic orientation and life-style, people expect instant powers without too much effort. Although certain powers may be acquired through a transference of power, these are not the especially unique ones as applied and exhibited by the famed heroes of old, and may be temporary in nature depending upon the process used and personal potency of the channeler of the power. Perhaps we will provide examples of magickal rituals of occult-power acquisition that makes use of these shamanic fasting in future articles.

Since Kejawen or Javanese mysticism, and traditional shamanism have been influenced greatly by Islam, it would be most appropriate to complete this article by providing the types of fasting (called “saum” or “siyam” in Arabic. Lit. “self-control”) as enjoined by this religion.

Basically, Islam categorizes two forms of fasting: obligatory and non-obligatory. The obligatory fast is part of the five-pillars of Islam, which is the mandatory fasting period in the month of Ramadan. Below we list the types of fasts:

The Ramadan Fast

This is the fast carried-out for the whole month of Ramadan. Islam does not encourage complete fasts such as taught in shamanism, thus there is food intake but within the hours designated. The Ramadan fast commences at dawn and ends at dusk–roughly 12 hours. Food and drinks may be consumed at any hour other than the 12-hour daylight period.

The Fast of King David

This non-obligatory fast is said to have its origin with the Hebrew King. Muhammad The Prophet, blessed is his name, is supposed to have said that among the non-obligatory fasts, the fast of King David is the best. This is recorded in the Bukhari and Muslim hadith, or recorded sayings of the Prophet. The method of the fast is similar to the one done in the month of Ramadan except that it is done every other day–fast one day, rest the next.

The Three-day Fast

This fast is done every month of the Arabic/Islamic calender for three consecutive days. The method is as the Ramadan fast. The best dates to commence this is on the 13th, 14th and 15th. This fast is non-obligatory.

The Six-day Fast

This fast is done for six days, preferably consecutive days in the month (Syawal) following Ramadan. Like the obligatory fast, no nourishment is taken from dawn to dusk. This is a non-obligatory fast like the above.

The Arafah-day Fast

To those who are not going on the pilgrimage to the Ka’ba, the Arafah-day fast is suggested for cleansing and the gaining of merit. It is done on the 9th day of the month of Zulhijah. This non-obligatory fast is supposed to wipe one’s sins created within a two-year period–the year before the fast and the year after.

The Eighth-day Fast

Another single-day fast is the one done in the month of Zulhijah, just a day prior to the Arafah-day fast.

The Tasu’a and Asura Fast

This fast takes place on the 9th and 10th day of the month of Muharam.

The Al-Baidh (Full Moon) Fast

It is recorded that the Prophet enjoyed fasting in this period and encouraged others to do so. This is a three-day fast during the full moon.

Copyright © 2006 Luxamore

Leonard Lee aka Luxamore
Metaphysical teacher, counseler, healer and merchant of occult/magickal items of Indonesia.
Talismans, Amulets, Mustika Pearls, Bezoar Stones and Magick of Al Hikmah and Javanese Kejawen
Shamanic Bezoar and Mustika Stones & Talismanic Pearls.

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