Comments on: When You Fast… http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/2009/02/23/when-you-fast/ The Kingdom of God is Within You Wed, 08 Sep 2010 04:30:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Fr. Christian Mathis http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/2009/02/23/when-you-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-247 Fr. Christian Mathis Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:17:00 +0000 http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/?p=125#comment-247 That is what I meant in saying are goals are not exactly the same. I have friends for instance who practice Buddhist meditation in order to escape the false reality of the world. As a Christian, I have used similar practices, but for the purpose of quieting my body and mind to be better attuned to God. There is certainly a difference between a philosophy and a religion. At any rate, I appreciate the comments. This blog was created primarily to provide food for thought for other Christians, but it is never a bad thing to enter into respectful dialogue with anyone. But it is likely we will continue to disagree on the value of fasting. That is what I meant in saying are goals are not exactly the same. I have friends for instance who practice Buddhist meditation in order to escape the false reality of the world. As a Christian, I have used similar practices, but for the purpose of quieting my body and mind to be better attuned to God.

There is certainly a difference between a philosophy and a religion. At any rate, I appreciate the comments. This blog was created primarily to provide food for thought for other Christians, but it is never a bad thing to enter into respectful dialogue with anyone. But it is likely we will continue to disagree on the value of fasting.

]]> By: The Rambling Taoist http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/2009/02/23/when-you-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-246 The Rambling Taoist Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:03:00 +0000 http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/?p=125#comment-246 II have a very limited experience of Taoism, but I would imagine that our goals, though similar in some areas, are not exactly the same. Probably not. What separates a philosophical Taoist from a Christian (or believer of other religions) is the concept of a deity. Taoists accept the notion there is a mysterious something that binds the universe, but we do not believe in a personified being, God. As to the topic at hand, sage Lao Tzu wrote that a filled belly is more of a help, than a hindrance, in becoming one with Tao. II have a very limited experience of Taoism, but I would imagine that our goals, though similar in some areas, are not exactly the same.

Probably not. What separates a philosophical Taoist from a Christian (or believer of other religions) is the concept of a deity. Taoists accept the notion there is a mysterious something that binds the universe, but we do not believe in a personified being, God.

As to the topic at hand, sage Lao Tzu wrote that a filled belly is more of a help, than a hindrance, in becoming one with Tao.

]]> By: Fr. Christian Mathis http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/2009/02/23/when-you-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-245 Fr. Christian Mathis Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:38:00 +0000 http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/?p=125#comment-245 There is nothing at all contrary in Christian practice to clearing our minds and thoughts, but usually with the intent of allowing ourselves to be more attuned to God, to get to the kind of silence where we can hear more clearly is certainly a difficult task. Christians, however, in our best moments are seeking not only to seek God with our minds, but with our entire selves, bodies included. One of the traps that modern Christians tend to fall into, in my opinion, is to separate our body from the picture. It is one reason why I have been studying iconography. It is primarily a form of prayer, but a very physical one at times. My goal, though I fail many times in attempting to carry it out, is to work on body, mind and spirit. I have a very limited experience of Taoism, but I would imagine that our goals, though similar in some areas, are not exactly the same. There is nothing at all contrary in Christian practice to clearing our minds and thoughts, but usually with the intent of allowing ourselves to be more attuned to God, to get to the kind of silence where we can hear more clearly is certainly a difficult task.

Christians, however, in our best moments are seeking not only to seek God with our minds, but with our entire selves, bodies included. One of the traps that modern Christians tend to fall into, in my opinion, is to separate our body from the picture. It is one reason why I have been studying iconography. It is primarily a form of prayer, but a very physical one at times.

My goal, though I fail many times in attempting to carry it out, is to work on body, mind and spirit.

I have a very limited experience of Taoism, but I would imagine that our goals, though similar in some areas, are not exactly the same.

]]> By: The Rambling Taoist http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/2009/02/23/when-you-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-244 The Rambling Taoist Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:25:00 +0000 http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/?p=125#comment-244 I have a much better suggestion: Eat what you want, but empty your mind. A full mind is a much bigger obstacle than a full stomach. I have a much better suggestion: Eat what you want, but empty your mind. A full mind is a much bigger obstacle than a full stomach.

]]> By: yudikris http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/2009/02/23/when-you-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-242 yudikris Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:15:00 +0000 http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/?p=125#comment-242 Thank you father for the wisdom, This is a great idea of fasting from technology. Just remind me for too much I have been used it. Lord have mercy! Bless me, Father! Pilgrim from Indonesia Thank you father for the wisdom,

This is a great idea of fasting from technology. Just remind me for too much I have been used it. Lord have mercy!

Bless me, Father!

Pilgrim from Indonesia

]]> By: marshmk http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/2009/02/23/when-you-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-241 marshmk Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:49:00 +0000 http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/?p=125#comment-241 Fasting reminds us that human beings are by nature hungry. We were created hungry. As you conclude in your post our natural and deepest hunger is for God. Fasting helps me feel my real hunger and see the ways in which I try to satisfy instead of follow my hunger. Fasting reminds us that human beings are by nature hungry. We were created hungry. As you conclude in your post our natural and deepest hunger is for God. Fasting helps me feel my real hunger and see the ways in which I try to satisfy instead of follow my hunger.

]]> By: Molly Sabourin http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/2009/02/23/when-you-fast/comment-page-1/#comment-240 Molly Sabourin Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:20:00 +0000 http://www.blessedisthekingdom.com/?p=125#comment-240 Thank you for this timely reminder, Father Christian! I hope you have a very blessed and peaceful and meaningful Lent. Thank you for this timely reminder, Father Christian! I hope you have a very blessed and peaceful and meaningful Lent.

]]>