Digital Fasting
Credit:lakshmiprasad S

Many Indian Christians fast during the week. In South Asia, fasting has been a part of spiritual practice for centuries. Fasting is the practice of abstaining from food or certain activities for a period of time to focus on spiritual growth and discipline. 

Mauna Vrat (the vow of silence) is a form of fasting that involves abstaining from speaking for a certain period of time. It is believed to help individuals achieve inner peace and connect with God on a deeper level.

In recent years, a new kind of fasting called “digital fasting” is gaining popularity.  Have you ever considered giving up technology for a while to see how it makes you feel? 

What is digital fasting?

Digital fasting means taking a break from all the screens and platforms we normally spend a lot of time on. This includes turning off our phones, staying away from social media, limiting screen time, and even avoiding emails and the internet for a while. 

Digital fasting, also known as a digital detox, is a growing trend that allows us to disconnect from the digital world and reconnect with ourselves and the world around us. 

This may sound daunting at first, but trust me—it’s definitely worth it!

 Incorporating digital fasting into your life structure 

Here are some ways to incorporate digital fasting 

1)     Set specific goals: Establish clear guidelines about what you will and won’t do during your digital fast, and decide how long you want to be away from digital devices and platforms.

2)     Find alternatives: Use the time you would normally spend on your devices to read devotional books, spend time in prayer, or have conversations about spiritual growth.

3)     Reflect and journal: Consider how your digital fast made you feel, how it affected your relationships, and how it helped you grow spiritually. Based on what you learn, consider making changes to your digital habits.

The many advantages of digital fasting

It has been shown that digital fasting is good for your mental and emotional health in a number of ways. 

1)     Digital fasting can help get rid of feelings of anxiety and stress and make you feel calmer and more relaxed. 

2)  When we turn off our digital devices and platforms, we can be more present with the people in our lives and pay more attention to them. This can strengthen our relationships and help us get to know each other better.

3)     By avoiding screens, we can improve our sleep quality and feel more rested.

We can improve our mental, emotional, and spiritual health by taking a break from the digital world. 

Conclusion:

Digital fasting can be a powerful way to deepen your spiritual practice and get back in touch with yourself and the world. It’s a great addition to the traditional ways of fasting because it lets us disconnect from the digital world and focus on personal growth and reflection. 

By setting specific goals, finding alternative activities, using technology mindfully, and reflecting on our experience, we can get the most out of digital fasting and make our digital lives more balanced and mindful. 

So why not give it a try this week? You might be surprised at how much better you feel!