Cattāri Brahmavihārā

One of the Dhammapada verses that has been echoing continually through my mind is the following:

7. Just as a storm throws down a weak tree, so does Māra overpower the man who lives for the pursuit of pleasures, who is uncontrolled in his senses, immoderate in eating, indolent, and dissipated.

In particular, the part of the verse which speaks about being immoderate in eating leading to one’s downfall. I have practiced the uposatha pretty regularly for years and have been doing intermittent fasting for about two years now so I would like to think I’m well-versed in moderation. The truth is, however, that I’m not.

More often than I like to admit I will gorge myself after breaking fast and find it too easy to excuse myself. Still, there of something to be said for getting one’s caloric intake right during a four hour eating period. Regardless, that’s not really what I wanted to talk about.

Viewing my fasting regimen as another way to prepare for possible food shortages and learning to deal with hunger and think while hungry are yet more good reasons to stick with it. In essence, I’m fasting to bring on pain and suffering to train myself in dealing with them skillfully. Also, when food is scarce, raining will be required, so why not not familiarize oneself with it?