Fasting is a symbol. Fasting signifies abstinence from lust.
Physical fasting is a symbol of that abstinence, and is a reminder; that is,
just as a person abstains from physical appetites, he is to abstain from
self-appetites and self-desires. But mere abstention from food has no effect on
the spirit. It is only a symbol, a reminder. Otherwise it is of no importance.
Fasting for this purpose does not mean entire abstinence from food. The golden
rule as to food is, do not take too much or too little. Moderation is
necessary. There is a sect in India who practice extreme abstinence, and gradually
reduce their food until they exist on almost nothing. But their intelligence
suffers. A man is not fit to do service for God with brain or body if he is weakened
by lack of food. He cannot see clearly.
(Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, quoted by Miss
E. S. Stevens in Fortnightly Review, June 1911; included in ‘Baha'u'llah and the New Era',
by Dr. J.E. Esslemont; Star of the West, vol. 3, no. 6, June 24, 1917)
