As I studied more about yoga and other mind/body disciplines, I became curious about the benefits of progressive fasting. Going without food has always been the toughest thing for me. Even starving was not as mentally difficult as simply going without food. Since working regularly for the past few years, I had made it my mission to not miss a meal.

      Now I went on a program of fasting a little, eating perfectly, fasting a little longer, and again eating perfectly.

The first day I went without food was tough. The following week, I went two days. It was tougher, with the headaches and lightheadedness being especially bad; the three days the next week were the worst. After that, I did not fast for two weeks.

      The next three-day fast wasn’t so bad. Finally, I went ten days without eating, and even abstained from sex (that was really tough, tougher than going without food). I only drank water and meditated.

      During this time of fasting, my dreams became more colorful and I again tried to have out-of-body experiences.