If you feel heavy in body and brain, if you feel mentally sluggish it
is a sure indication that your system is "clogged" with waste matter, due
to partial or total inactivity of the physical channels of elimination.
You have been indulging in high living and gluttony or you have been
indulging in physical gratifications and have thus exhausted the vital
fibres of your body. Perhaps you have drunk very little water which is
nature's demand for cleaning the vessels of the body. Perhaps you have
exercised little and thus the supply of oxygen required for burning off
carbon and energising the blood has been rather limited. Mental
depression, 'weak nerves,' melancholy, despair, fear, lack of
concentration and lots of other mental weakness are due to a clogging of
the system with accumulated refuse. In brief, the following are a few of
the benefits derivable from scientific fasting:--(1) It gives nature a
chance to "Clean Up." The day of fasting is a day of physical "house
cleaning." (2) Like the galvanic battery the body "recuperates" its
energies. Strength is invariably restored to one's powers of digestion
after a careful fast. No case of dyspepsia, constipation, etc., there is,
but can benefit or be totally and radically cured by fasting. Fasting
will increase powers of assimilation, quicken hunger, purify and
strengthen the nerves and raise your health in all ways. (3) By gaining
control over appetite you gain control over your lower nature. It is a
splendid drill for your Will. You shall gain in spiritual strength. You
shall grow positive to your flesh and its cravings. Jesus Christ fasted
for 40 days in order to prepare himself to face his great trial and
temptation. Our Yogis are all great fasters.