sapphi_snake said:
Did those practices include abstinence from food (and sometimes water) for certain periods of time, and meditation? |
), vegetarian and bla bla bla...
err - are you insinuating that fasting and meditation affects a person's objectivity/judgement in a negative way?
I'm not sure if that's what you are getting at, but I've heard that before and I have the following to say about it: These comments come from people who have either never done these things (properly) or do not understand the principles behind them (at all). The converse is in fact true - meditation sobers the mind (slowly and gradually) and fasting makes one detached from the body (a concept the average person has no knowledge about).
But yes, I got up between 3:30 and 4am every morning, and followed a pretty rigorous program that included at least 2 hours of meditation before the sun comes up. I haven't done that in a very long time, but I have fond memories of the incredible sobriety one gains by having spent the quietest hours of the day in concentration while the rest of the world sleeps - a sunrise has never looked as beautiful.
Fasting; well yeah. (roughly) Twice a month fasting from grains for a day is mandatory (not a big deal at all), but any additional fasting (no food, no water etc.) is up to the individual. It is a tremendously powerful practice if done with the right mentality. I would say I did on average one complete fast per month. The best days for this are worked out according to the moon calender. Once I did 2 days dry fast, but that was too hectic. Actually, fasting from food is surprisingly easy if you can disassociate your mind from it, but lack of water really fries the brain out... The one night (after a dry fast day) I dreamt of jumping in a waterfal and drinking it all - when that happens you know that the practice should be given up since your mind is succumbing to the desires of your body...
In any case, not sure what you're getting at really; just thought I'd come out of the closet so to speak 
EDIT: If you were just asking out of curiousity then I might add that a major part of my day was spent in study. Probably at least 3-4 hours every day. That included studying philosophy (Vedic in particular, but also aaalll the others including how different religiouns actually ended up with their philosophies and what they really mean),learning Sanskrit grammar, memorizing scripture and also just reading some lighter things etc. I was astounded to learn what the Mormon's actually believe - it is shocking when you actually get to the real core of their philosophy :-/ *waves peace sign at possible mormons here*
