Only Hindu people with good information with fastings...please read on?
454358
I'm Hindu. I've been taught that God appreciates the effort to please rather than the actual physical fast. You didn't mean to eat the meat, and God, being all forgiving, will forgive you for it. In any case, you are making much more of an effort than those of us who don't try at all to please God. Don't worry so much about this small mistake, just continue your fast as you did and know that because God is just it will not be held against you.\n\nI'm sure this was not the kind of answer you were looking for but I hope it helped a little to reassure you.
771637
I hope that the links below help u get started.\n\nhttp://www.stephen-knapp.com/christianity's_similarities_with_hinduism.htm\n\nhttp://www.stephen-knapp.com/christianity_and_the_vedic_teachings_within_it.htm\n\nhttp://www.stephen-knapp.com/jesus_taught_bhaktiyoga.htm\n\nhttp://www.stephen-knapp.com/bible_teaches_chanting_gods_names.htm
217227
Fasting is the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food and in some cases drink, for a period of time. Depending on the tradition, fasting practices may forbid sexual intercourse, (or any sexual desire), masturbation, as well as refraining from eating certain types or groups of food (e.g. meat).\n\nFasting for religious and spiritual reasons has been a part of human custom since pre-history. It is mentioned in the Qur'an, in the Mahabharata, in the Upanishads, and in the Bible, in both the Old and New Testament.\n\nIslam\n==========\n\nIn Islam, fasting starts from fajr (dawn), until maghrib (sunset) is observed during the month of Ramadan. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the Pillars of Islam, and thus one of the most important acts of Islamic worship. By fasting, whether during Ramadan or other times a Muslim draws closer to his Lord by abandoning the things he/she enjoys, such as food and drink. This makes the sincerity of his/her faith and his/her devotion to Allah (God) all the more evident. The believer knows that Allah will love him/her when he/she is ready to abandon worldly comforts for Allah's sake.\n\nAllah informs Muslims in the Qur'an that fasting was prescribed for those before them (i.e., the Jews and Christians) and that by fasting Muslim gains 'taqwa', which can be described as the care taken by a person to do everything Allah has commanded and to keep away from everything that He has forbidden. Fasting helps prevent many sins and is a shield with which the Muslim protects him/herself from jahannam (hell).\n\nMuslims believe that fasting is more than abstaining from food and drink. It also means to abstain from any falsehood in speech and action, from any ignorant and indecent speech, and from arguing and fighting. Therefore, fasting helps to develop good behavior.\n\nFasting also inculcates a sense of brotherhood and solidarity, as a Muslim feels and experiences what his needy and hungry brothers and sisters feel. However, even the poor, needy, and hungry participate in the fast. Moreover, Ramadan is a month of giving charity and sharing meals to break the fast together.\n\nWhile fasting in the month of Ramadan is considered fard (obligatory), Islam also proscribed certain days for non-obligatory fasting, such as on each Monday and Thursday of a week, or six days in the month of Shawal of the Islamic calendar (the month following Ramadan).\n\nEastern Orthodox Church\n========================\n\nFor Orthodox Christians, there are five fasting seasons, which include Nativity, Meatfast, Great Lent & Holy Week, Apostles' Fast and Dormition. Fasting during these times refers to abstention from animal products, olive oil (or all oils, according to some Orthodox traditions), wine and spirits -- see Eastern Orthodoxy (Fasting). Fasting can take up a significant portion of the calendar year. The idea is not to suffer, but to use the experience to come closer to God, to realize one's excesses and for alms giving. Fasting without prayer and almsgiving (donating the money saved to a local charity, or directly to the poor, depending on circumstances) is considered useless or even spiritually harmful by many Orthodox Christians.\n\nJudaism\n========\n\nJudaism views three essential potential purposes of fasting, and a combination of some or all of these could apply to any given fast. One purpose in fasting is the achievement of atonement for sins and omissions in Divine service. Fasting is not considered the primary means of acquiring atonement; rather, sincere regret for and rectification of wrongdoing is key (see Isaiah, 58:1-13).\n\nNevertheless, fasting is conducive to atonement, for it tends to precipitate contrition in the one who fasts (see Joel, 2:12-18). This is why the Bible requires fasting (lit. self affliction) on Yom Kippur (see Leviticus, 23:27,29,32; Numbers, 29:7; Tractate Yoma, 8:1; ibid. (Babylonian Talmud), 81a). Because, according to the Hebrew Bible, hards
466115
I am glad that you want to find a natural way to be healthy.\n\nA good way is the ancient way, and that is fasting.  Fasting allows your mind and body to rejuvenate and also allows you to press the reset button if you will.\n\nThere are several ways to fast:  no food (but water of course), just drinking juice, not eating while the sun shines as in the month of Ramadan.  The length of time also varies from one day to one month.\n\nI hope this helps and enjoy your pursuit of knowledge.
457913
animism is still very much part of hinduism. we believe god is present everywhere. rishi kanad declared everying is made of atoms(kana). it also accepted that whole world is made of 5 elements (earth,water,fire,air and space). and \nevery element is a form of god.\n\ni do not know about Tantric rituals as such. but often a milder form of it is still practiced. even on internet. you will find tantrik raksha kavatch sold on line. there are yntras representing god and mantras to recite revering it in that form. \n\nmostly these pooja are more related with mother Kali or Kal Bhairav(a form of shiva, time personified). \n\n some tantrik sects still do exist. and I would not be surprised if there are some of them still following full fledged tantric rituals. some of these sects were not respected that much, you know why i guess. but people still believe in their powers. and were too afraid of them to criticize at their face. still are. \n\nbuddhist also had a tantric sect and goddess Tara was the chief goddess.\n\nshamans are still out there. mostly in tribal areas or villages but even in big cities tantrik have a good buissness. though most of them are frauds. even muslim shamans are present.\n\n\n\nregarding Ali's post:\n\nwell dear we do not need muslim scholar to tell what you are saying. we already know it. it is a long established fact; for some 3000 years now . i am surprised that only one muslim scholar was able to find that out! man! that is slow.
857352
This website gives some awesome information on Mashashivarati and discusses the fasting ritual. The next Shivarati is Feb. 16, 2007.\nhttp://www.mahashivratri.org/about-mahashivratri.html
940480
I fast once a week for 24 hours at a stretch. During that time, I do not eat solid foods, but I do have many sorts of liquid, including nutritional shakes, fruit juice, V8, lots of water, etc. It doesn't do any harm when it is of such short duration. I have fasted for up to 3 days before, and I'd say that is as long a time as I ever want to drag out a fast. I imagine you could go longer if you were careful to maintain a good balance of nutritional fluids.\n\nI often have days where I only think of the food I'm not eating when I fast, but I then make myself remember why I do it, which is for discipline and solidarity with my husband, who also does it. I think of the fact that if I can voluntarily go without food for 24 hours, then I have a sort of structure and discipline in my life. Spiritually, there are ups and downs, but it helps me to focus on real problems without the nagging "what's for dinner" thought. It removes a level of mundanity from life and allows one to focus on important questions or gain insights. I'm only halfway through my morning coffee, so I hope that made some sense!\n\nP.S. I imagine that even someone with metabolic problems or diabetes could do it if the liquids contain the proper nutrients.
684114
A person with strong faith does their sadhana (spiritual practices), keeps their dharma (does their duty...to their family, job, society, etc), and they seek to learn from spiritual teachers and to find a their guru. It is normal and acceptable to have doubt, to even go and look into other paths to see if perhaps these are better for you. It is common to return to the faith and again be at the same level of belief. It is said that some of us who have entered Hinduism now in this lifetime were at one time Hindus in past lifetimes...we have just come home now. So "longer absences", yes there can be very long absences. :)
997322
Not interested.\n\nHindus keep on converting all the time. For various reasons. A large number converted to other religions in liue of money , power or to stay alive that is on the point of a sword or gun.\n\nYet again Hinduism gives too much freedom and not many people even read there scriptures or books. They have little or superfecial knowledge about there own philosophies. Many know only what they read in popular media , which in turn is often propogated by non Hindu Proselytisers.In India the History we read today was written by British(evangelicals) and then communists. Both have their own ideological mission and work with an intent to advanmce there own beliefs.  So they overemphasise negatives and conviniently ignore counter arguments.  Hindus get education in these very schools. So they are taught these tghings only. Few people study on their own and analyse and see the other side of story.\n\nSuch people are unable to to answer questions put by missineries of non Hindu religion as the proselytisers have done there home work already. Something which never occured to Hindu. So they convert out of proper education and knowledge of Hinduism.\n\nYet again some Hindus convert to christianity as a "fashion ". After all it is the religion of a successfull community today. They think they are identifing themselves with winners. \n\nConversion to Islam is mostly for purpose of Marriage. Islam allows 4 marriages and divorce easy for men. Secondly Muslims have a tendency to get Hindu GF. And  if not before after marriage, they have to convert sooner or later.\n\nAnd Off course nobody is given death punishment for converting out of Hinduism.
1088173
I am hindu and i guess the most important thing to me would be just to be torelant and not treat me differently. Furthermore check if the person is vegetarian. If he/she is they might not like you touching or eating meat while you're at his/her house. Just act normal becuase we're really not that different. Just be respectful.
781418
I cannot answer your question, but wanted to share an anectdote that may make it easier for you next time you fast. For a few months I did a raw food diet (~ 80%) and it was very easy with no headache or other unpleasant symptoms at all to fast. The supposition was amongst we raw foodists that the body had the chance to catch up all along & so didn't have any extra to "dump" into the blood when the fast started.\n\nExcellent question!\n\n;-)
779438
You should do some reading up on Hinduism, specifically samsara, and Shiva and Vishnu. Not exactly the same idea, but a similar concept.
602233
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism
942000
Perhaps you could start here and look for suggestions:\nhttp://www.religioustolerance.org/hinduism.htm\nhttp://religiousmovements.lib.virginia.edu/nrms/hinduism.html\nhttp://www.beliefnet.com/index/index_10003.html
158775
*Muttering for some of my better answers this last week got caught in those deletions*\nI myself am a rather strange mixture of eastern (mostly Buddhist), druidic and shamanistic beliefs. As to information sources, this one seems pretty good for a one stop comparison of most major religions including wicca. http://www.religionfacts.com
1102003
As a Hindu I believe that it is very important to ask questions. Asking a question is sometimes more important than seeking the answer, because atleast the question has been asked. Hindus are taught to never just accept anything, but to try it and experience it. Hinduism isn't really a religion of "believe it or else" it's like a lot of other eastern religions that say "try it, experience it, if it doesn't work for you, move on." When it comes to spiritual things, the same goes. Hinduism has the Ten Commitments which aren't meant to condemn you, they are meant to help improve your spiritual practices in life (meditation, etc). The same with dietary rules. They vary from person to person because each person is told to try different foods and then see how the react in meditation. The foods that disrupt meditation or cause your mind and body to not be calm should be avoided, the foods that calm the mind and body and help you meditate should continue being eaten. But each of us is different so the foods we eat will vary. The same goes with our experiences and approaches to God. If you do not ask questions, how can you know if your approach and experience to God is reflected in the spiritual practices you follow?
141213
depends what type of fast.  to fast is to deprive the flesh of something it wants in order to better hear God's voice.  a way of putting the body under.  i fast from TV, and eat three meals a day. still a fast.\nfasting is on a personal level.  nowhere are we commanded to fast, and anyuone who tells you that you must is wrong in doing so. (suggesting it is another story)  \nand dont make a big deal about being hungry if you decide to go that way.\n\nmake sure you drink water, too.  you dont want to go without that unless you hear from God specifically to go without it.  (this is very rare, and i would pray very hard just on this subject if you feel so led)