The Point of Fasting

Phyllis Cole-Dai and James Murray

The point in fasting isn't for us to become perfect, beyond reproach, but simply to exercise faith, opening our minds and hearts as best we are able and learning from our mistakes. Over a lifetime of practice, something might rise up in place of the fear or greed or ignorance we've fasted away, something we've helped bring about but can't take credit for. Maybe our joy is fuller, our compassion wiser, our kindness quicker, our patience longer, our suffering more humble, our determination to respond to the suffering of others deeper and more enduring.

The Emptiness of Our Hands: 47 Days on the Streets