Hey Vimal,

Thank you for connecting and you have raised lots of interesting and spot on points that I feel are worth inquiring about together, if it calls.

You say:

A period of being in the density ,seeing my addictions ,fighting ,struggling sometimes and then there is a period of breaking through feeling both expanded and also seeing my distortions more clearly. I think I'm in one of the later and the fasting has definitely catalysed the transition through to it.

Yes, spot on. Fasting is a great catalyser and at the same time, when a bit more settled with the fast, the processing of density can get deeper. To me, the key thing is to be as present as possible with both phases you mention because they are interdependent. It is via the first phase that one breaks through to the second very often. Its like the first phase is the gateway to the second. This is really important in my personal experience and Im sharing here with you because it has made a huge difference to me when 'processing' density. Like being present (kind open acceptance of it - physically) with the struggling for example - I mean what an amazing energy in the struggling! Im fascinated how much energy we can transmute! I remember I was sitting in meditation in the woods a year ago after having come back from a retreat and I was feeling so low. I was feeling my physical body and the energetic body around it and feeling the mind too. All hazy and heavy. And I realised that deep down I was fighting, I was in a fighting mode. I softened my attention into the energy/physical experience of fighting and stayed there for a bit. Images and thoughts came up about 'what' I was fighting and 'why' - insights - but did not go into an analytical mode with them rather I stayed with the physicality/energy of the experience. Suddenly I burst into tears and something unlocked. It felt lighter and softer and something released. In that moment, I saw 4 deer passing by only a few yards away from me and a HUGE fox. Breathtaking sight which was accompanied by feelings of expansion, fluidity, happiness and lovingness.

I do find intermittent fasting very useful and yes, it is challenging too especially in the beginning and during other life stages too, so it needs to have flexibility and become a way of life rather than a diet or a protocol. Its so interesting that intermittent fasting is kind of a trend today in the health and fitness circles, while its been around for thousands of years as a sacred way of beingness. So, for me, there are times when for whatever reason - often it is a particular mind pattern or being pulled in different directions by family, friends etc! - I eat earlier or later than the planned time. If so, then I move the eating window accordingly on that day and I get back to the planned windows the next day. This flexibility at times also allows me to 'see' clearly the way I negotiate my boundaries and discover deeper fountains of centerness and resolve.

Currently, I also eat 3 meals per day. Other times I eat two and sometimes I eat one. Flexibility is key because to me its important to have a good fasting window where you feel less hungry, or where you may feel hungry but can work with it - especially when starting to fast. Consistent hunger may mean two things, mental or/and low blood sugar levels, hence not eating enough during the eating window. If weight loss is a challenge as you mentioned, 3 meals are great. Make them rich and big I'd say. As rich in calories, vibrancy and nutrition as you can make them. Am I right to assume that the Indian cuisine in your family is rich in lentils, rice and veggie curries? Does it suit you to eat with them at dinner or lunch time - once a day? I have my own experience with family dynamics, especially closed-nit Greek families where eating together is a big thing and non-negotiable! ;) Yes, diplomacy indeed! A great challenge to bring forth this particular ray!

You say:

There is also self doubt that if im overdoing it or if its meant for me at this time of my journey. I feel more sensitive and find a bit hard to cope within family environment especially loud noises ,judgmental TV and so on. With hunger i don't feel to do heavy work even though my energy levels are unaffected. Probably its just mind stuff. But i find the lightness worth it even through the hunger.

Its natural for doubts like these to come up. On one hand, it is an opportunity to 'see' the mind patterns that often limit us, and on the other it is an opportunity to acquire more knowledge about intermittent fasting, in this case, by doing some research and therefore have more confidence in what one is doing. Yes, one also becomes more sensitive indeed, and in my exprerience this also depends a lot on 'what' one is eating, which is something that the typical intermittent fasting protocols do not account for because they deal only with 'when' to eat. When I switched to a plants only diet I became way more sensitive and as a result expanded my beingness in all directions! This also meant 'hitting' on the hardness and density of the world too! TV was one and so I stopped watching! :) But thats me.

Yes indeed, the benefits including the lightness worth so much and a key motivating factor to keep exploring for me.

:) <3 <3