“Those who have reached such an angelic state often forget about bodily food. I think that often they do not even feel any desire for it. And no wonder, for frequently a contrary desire knocks out the thought of food.”
—St. John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent
Category: FOOD
-
“If you desire self-restraint, control your belly, and do not take your fill even of bread and water.”
-
Whether you’re consuming food, drink, media, live entertainment, or the sights and sounds of recreational shopping, stay present. Take a moment to consider whether you’re actually “full.” Notice if you’re consuming out of habit or boredom.
Many of us are used to sailing past our satiety point. We numb out and eat the rest of what’s on the plate or watch a lackluster TV show. But cultivating presence can help, Gielan says. That means developing an understanding of what truly brings us pleasure, and knowing how to savor what we’re doing, eating, or watching in the moment.
-
“Fasting is the greatest remedy—the physician within.”
—ParacelsusEmotionally, you will feel calmer, clearer and happier. Fasters often report that depression lifts, goals begin to feel more obtainable as obstacles are put into proper focus. Doctors have reported patients experiencing improved concentration, less anxiety, sleeping better and waking more refreshed.
…
Artists and writers often talk of foregoing food during great creative inspiration; that it helps to keep the momentum going.
-
I want to feel light after I’ve eaten. If the idea of doing something active (like exercising or riding a bike) makes me want to hurl, then I didn’t stop early enough. I want to feel light all the time.
—David Cain, Raptitude – Defensive Eating
-
“Almost full” is also too much.
—David Cain, Raptitude – Defensive Eating
-
“As quickly as the pleasure of eating and drinking passes away in those sitting at the table dining, for instance, so quickly shall pass, and passes away the present life, with all its pleasures, joys, sorrows, and sickness. It is like morning dew, vanishing at the appearance of the sun. Therefore the Christian, who is called to a heavenly country, who is only a stranger and a sojourner upon earth, ought not attach his heart to anything earthly, but should cling to God alone, the Source of life, our resurrection, and the Life eternal.”
—St. John of Kronstadt -
“When thou hast eaten and art full, beware that thou forget not the Lord thy God,” (Deut. viii. 10, 11.) Thus does luxury lead to forgetfulness. Then do thou also, beloved, when thou sittest at table, remember that after the meal thou shouldst pray: and so moderately refresh thyself that thou mayest not through fullness be unable to bend the knee and call upon God. Do you not see beasts of burden, how after feeding, they commence the journey, they bear loads, they fulfill all the service that falls to their lot? But thou when thou risest from table, art unfit for any work. thou art become useless. How wilt thou avoid being thought less worthy of honour than the very beasts? Wherefore? Because it is then the proper time to be sober and to watch. For the time after meals is the time for thanksgiving; and he who gives thanks should not indulge in excess, but be sober and vigilant. Let us not turn from the table to the couch, but to prayer, that we become not more irrational than the beasts.
—St. John Chrysostom, On Wealth and Poverty
-
Let us accustom ourselves to eat so much only as will sustain our higher life, and not hinder and oppress it. For it was not for this that we were born, and exist—namely, that we should eat and drink; but let us eat for this—namely, that we may live. It was not given us at first to live for the sake of eating, but to eat for the sake of living. But we, as if we had come into the world merely to eat, upon this we spend everything.
—St. John Chrysostom, On Wealth and Poverty -
“If you have the strength to be satisfied with bread and water, then that is good. It is said that no other foods strengthen the body as bread and water do.”
—St. Dorotheus
SO GOOD QUOTES 