Best Places In Thailand For Safe Water Fasting -- 1 Month

[electriceel]

Hey guys,

I've been told some Buddhist temples/monasteries have monks who have water fasted (no food, only water) for 1 month or longer.

I want to do the same. In March.

But how do I find a temple willing to accept foreigners for 4 weeks at a time, and one that has monks experienced in fasting?

I don't speak Thai...

Anyone have any tips on how I can go about finding a local Thai temple like this?...

Alternatively, if anyone knows of a a quiet house somewhere in the Thai countryside - preferably in the south - where Thai locals or someone is willing to rent out

their room for cheap?

Will be staying for 1 month throughout March 2012.

I want to enjoy the countryside and get away from busy town/city. You can call this a spiritual thing that I want to embark on.

All I'm looking for is:

- Cheap Room

- Internet connection (if possible)

- Very calm and quiet house

- Peaceful, natural surroundings

- Not in the city (need fresh air)

- Close to local shops

Huuge thanks in advance!

[Sheryl]

When monks fast, it is in the context of a religious practice...and one suitable only for some monks. No monastery is, or wants to be, a place for people to come to fast per se. Even though you want to do this for spiritual reasons, there is apt to be some problem in trying to fit your spiritualism within the confines of Buddhist monasticism, which invariably involves some very specific practices (meditation, rites, etc, depending in the Wat) that may not be to your liking while you on the other hand may have some of your own that might not be acceptable to them.

If on the other hand you can fully and solely accept the religious practices of a specific monastery and settle for less than full fasting (e.g.. 1 spartan meal a day), then there are many options.

Another point to consider, since you posted this in the health forum, are the health risks. Monks who fast are usually well developed in meditation and spend much/most of the fasting period in deep meditation, which substantially alters the body's metabolic requirements. It takes years of intensive practice to develop in meditation to that point. Trying to fast on nothing but water before one has reached that state may invite either failure or health problems or both. It is also IMO morel likely to hinder than to fast-track ones progress in meditation.

There are certainly many places you could find that would meet the criteria you listed, but I wouldn't advise going off to an unregulated environment and attempting a prolonged water-only fast. My recommendation would be to opt instead for a facility experienced in fasting programs. While these are best known for costly "detox' programs, some of them will also allow people to just rent a room without the accompanying package of supplements/enemas etc, and a room at such would be a much safer environment for attempting something like this. It would also be more conducive in that most of the others around you would also be on some sort of a fast.

I think Health Oasis in Samui is probably the best place to try both in terms of affordability and flexibility. Suggest you call and talk with one of their managers and explain what it is you want to do and for how long, and see what they'd charge. They do have internet connectivity.

[Dave9000]

The above is a sensible and well considered reply to the original questions. I fully concur and would stress the importance of explaining your intentions to the owner of any retreat, guesthouse or lodgings before making a committment. As the owner of rental accommodation for tourists, I would not accept you as a guest, purely because I lack the medical training to attend to the multiplicity of both physical and mental conditions which may arise from your intended regime.

Prolonged fasting can lead to medical problems which may last a lifetime and I would urge you to do it only under the guidance of a person who is able to reliably advise you and to care for you on a daily basis should you wish to continue.

Best wishes.

[electriceel]

@Sheryl

Thank you for the considered reply. I'll answer each one of your points.

1) I already accept the religious practices of Buddhism but I will not settle for less than full water fasting. In this case, what are my options?..

2) About the health risks. I already meditate daily and I'm fully aware of the health risks. I've read tonnes about water fasting and before even starting it I'm prepared physically and mentally. I'm already following all the preparation that's needed. Believe me, I'm not taking water fasting lightly.

3) Of course I'd love to go to a special fasting retreat. The Health Oasis looks beautiful. Problem is, I can't afford it (Staying in one place for 1 month adds up...). I'm looking for the cheapest alternative. What could that alternative be?

@Dave9000

1) Of course I'd explain my intentions to the owner. I wouldn't expect them to be responsible for me or even check on me. Without their understanding, I wouldn't go ahead with it.

2) I'm aware of all the dangers of water fasting and I'm not planning on prolonging it longer than necessary, when the body enters the period of starvation. The average body can water fast for 6 weeks. I've already read plenty on how to end a fast and at what point before it turns into starvation.

3) I totally agree with your point about guidance. I would love to find someone experienced in water fasting living Thailand who can offer me that guidance. But how? Even if I don't, I've already consulted with others who've done the fast before, and from a totally objective standpoint, I can say that health-wise I'm prepared for it, and that 21 days is a very reasonable time span in which to do the water fast.

Oh, and thank you for the wishes

All the best to you too