This Lent, try fasting for the mind and soul

We are now in the period of Lent, but beyond the usual fasting that involves abstaining from certain foods, why not try another form of fasting? A fasting for the mind and soul, where we will choose to abstain from negative thoughts and emotions in order to gain inner peace and empowerment. Just as the body detoxifies through abstinence from certain foods, so too can our spirit benefit from abstaining from negative thoughts and emotions.

Fasting the Body: An Ancient Tradition

Fasting, in its conventional sense, means the voluntary or involuntary abstinence from food. From ancient times to the present day, it has been an essential element in many religions and cultures, shaping it according to their own religious and cultural traditions. In addition to its spiritual dimension, fasting is also recognized for its health benefits, as it helps the body to detoxify and renew itself. However, the same can apply to our mind and soul.

Fasting of the mind and soul: Detoxification from negative thoughts

Every day, according to studies, the human mind produces approximately 25,000 to 50,000 thoughts, most of which are negative. These do not only concern us but also those around us, affecting our mood, behavior and relationships. Some negative thoughts are self-criticism, jealousy, anger, worry, pessimism. We cannot stop thoughts, the function of the mind is to think. However, we can choose which ones to give weight to, which ones to let affect us and which ones to replace with positive ones. This change does not mean that problems disappear or that worries cease. On the contrary, it means that we face them in a more conscious and calm way, without fear, but with courage and critical thinking.

How to replace negative thoughts with positive ones

Ό,τι υπάρχει γύρω μας -από τις μεγαλύτερες εφευρέσεις μέχρι τα πιο απλά καθημερινά πράγματα- ξεκίνησε από μια σκέψη. Για να αλλάξουμε τις αρνητικές σκέψεις, χρειάζεται πρώτα να τις παρατηρήσουμε. Να αναγνωρίσουμε ποιες είναι οι συχνότερες και ποιες οι αιτίες που τις προκαλούν. Στη συνέχεια, μπορούμε να:

• αντικαταστήσουμε την κάθε αρνητική σκέψη με μια πιο ενδυναμωτική.

• χρησιμοποιήσουμε μία θετική δήλωση (όπως κάνουν οι προπονητές) που ενισχύει την αυτοπεποίθηση και την αυτοεκτίμησή μας.

• απομακρυνθούμε συνειδητά από μία αρνητική σκέψη, μην επιτρέποντάς της να μας κυριεύσει.

• αποσπάσουμε την προσοχή μας κάνοντας κάτι άλλο, π.χ. να ακούσουμε μουσική, να βγούμε να περπατήσουμε κ.λπ.

Είναι σημαντικό να καταλάβετε ότι η νοητική νηστεία δεν σημαίνει ότι καταπιέζουμε τα συναισθήματά μας, αλλά ότι επιλέγουμε συνειδητά να κατευθύνουμε τη σκέψη μας προς κάτι πιο παραγωγικό.

The 40-day challenge

Research has shown that it takes at least 21 days to begin to break an old mental habit and create a new one. However, according to a study by Philippa Lally, a researcher at University College London, the average time it takes to establish a new behavior is 66 days. However, let us do it for forty days, that is, for the duration of the fast. Just as we prepare our bodies during Lent, let us try to prepare our minds as well, consciously avoiding negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones. Let us “fast” from anything that weighs us down mentally, traps us emotionally and deprives us of the joy of life. Let us therefore try this mental and emotional cleansing, giving ourselves the gift of inner freedom and peace.