Today is the first day of Lent, a season of 40 days for fasting, praying, and preparing for the Spring, or Easter. I always thought that "fasting" meant basically starving — not eating or drinking anything. But George Ohsawa proposes a different meaning of fasting in his book, Zen Macrobiotics. He says,
"True fasting is not detachment from all eating and drinking. On the contrary, it is strict and absolute attachment to that only which is absolutely necessary to sustain life."
— George Ohsawa, page 127, Zen Macrobiotics.
"You cannot detach yourself from air, water and light, the synthesis of which are the cereals [whole grains] that form the true foundation of our very existence. The use of cereal, fire and salt distinguishes man, his civilization and his culture from all other living things. Without recognition of this basic fact, he is lost in his quest for well-being."
He says also,
"You will see improvement by simply observing the macrobiotic way (Diet No. 6 or 7) without the help of others or of any device or medicine on your own. You will have discovered the real meaning of prayer and fasting."
Notes:
• The macrobiotic Diet #7 is 100% whole grains and Diet #6 is 90% whole grains and 10% vegetable nitsuke.
• I talk a little about vegetable nitsuke in an earlier posting: Diet #6 by George Ohsawa (What Is Nitsuke?).• You can buy the book, Zen Macrobiotics, by George Ohsawa, on the George Ohsawa Macrobiotic Foundation website.
