Reflections on my first week-long fast

As I wrote on another post, I broke my first Water Fast today on day 8 with orange juice. Thereafter, I've been having orange or melon juice once every 2 hours or so.

I thought I should share my reflections about this unique experience of the last week. Any words from others that may throw light on my experience will be most helpful.

- Most importantly, I am not sure how to measure the physical healing that has taken place, if any, during this fast. Strangely, today, all the problems for which I fasted are back - faint pains in the liver area, the chest and sciatic pain in the left leg. These were more or less absent during the fasting period. But I know that the body and psyche have been rested so even though I am disappointed, I am also happy that I went through this.

- Physically, I often felt terrible. One day I vomited exactly 10 times. Most days after day 3 I did not have the energy even to go to the washroom. It was a monumental task.

- Emotionally, it was a mix. I felt the difficulties of my life more, especially those connected to my home where I am fasting. But I also felt that the fast opened up new areas of inner experience for me and put me in touch with the sacred in new ways, which I am yet to intellectually comprehend. This will take some time. Most of the time I was too washed out to figure out what is happen to my inner life.

- I am looking forward to the next time I fast. Hopefully that will be quite soon. At least 1 or 2 day long fasts should be possible a few days later. I feel like I have a new spiritual and physical tool in my hands.