Changes

Adequate, knowledgeable supervision in breaking a fast may be even more critical than the supervision in conducting a fast.

Adequate, knowledgeable supervision in breaking a fast may be even more critical than the supervision in conducting a fast.

People who have been fasted for serious pathologies have an even more important period to undergo. What has happened during the fasting period is not nearly as impor- tant as what will happen when food is restored. And, if serious mistakes are made during this period, the consequences may be unpredictable, up to and including negation of the potential benefits of the fast, or—though extremely rare—losing the life of the patient.

People who have been fasted for serious pathologies have an even more important period to undergo. What has happened during the fasting period is not nearly as important as what will happen when food is restored. And, if serious mistakes are made during this period, the consequences may be unpredictable, up to and including negation of the potential benefits of the fast, or—though extremely rare—losing the life of the patient.

=== When to Break the Fast ===

=== When to Break the Fast ===

=== The Return of Natural Hunger ===

=== The Return of Natural Hunger ===

If the fast is continued to the return of natural hunger, certain signs will be manifest- ed. The coated tongue usually clears, the mouth tastes fresh and clean, the foul breath disappears. A sense of rejuvenation and well-being are experienced. The desire (or actu- al craving) for food becomes compelling—and there is a real sense of hunger, which is a mouth-and-throat sensation.

If the fast is continued to the return of natural hunger, certain signs will be manifested. The coated tongue usually clears, the mouth tastes fresh and clean, the foul breath disappears. A sense of rejuvenation and well-being are experienced. The desire (or actu- al craving) for food becomes compelling—and there is a real sense of hunger, which is a mouth-and-throat sensation.

True hunger is not an uncomfortable feeling, but one is conscious of an urgent, but pleasant longing for food. The abdominal sensations, or all-gone feeling, that we usual- ly attribute to hunger, are caused by irritation. Most people have never experienced true hunger. It is possible that one may not experience true hunger at any time during the fast.

True hunger is not an uncomfortable feeling, but one is conscious of an urgent, but pleasant longing for food. The abdominal sensations, or all-gone feeling, that we usual- ly attribute to hunger, are caused by irritation. Most people have never experienced true hunger. It is possible that one may not experience true hunger at any time during the fast.