Fasting Journal : Fasting Center International

FASTING GIRLFRIENDS ON TWO CONTINENTS LOSE UNNECESSARY WEIGHT & RE-BALANCE THEMSELVES!

      [NOTE: FCI considers any two people fasting together as a 'couple,' qualifying each other for our Couples Discount, meaning the second person (or the one doing the shorter Program, if doing different lengths) comes in at only half-fee, and the savings is shared equally. You do not have to be related, or even living in the same State or country. . .just signing on for Programs together, and fasting at the same time. For convenience, a 15-day 'grace period' is permitted between the times each actually begins her/his Program, to accommodate scheduling differentials (never longer).
      Although the majority of those taking advantage of FCI's Couples Discount are actually living together, many others are not. In fact, the following two clients, although longtime girlfriends, did their Programs while living on opposite sides of this Earth. Reflecting Western societal demographics, one's married; the other, recently divorced. One's retired from business; the other, still in it. Here, then, are their stories of the marvelous, self-improvement journey they chose to take together, fasting longer than either the Buddha or Christ, among others, in order to reward their exemplary courage and discipline with FAR greater health, happiness and healing power, on all three levels--physiologically, psychologically and spiritually.
      From the European side of The Pond, meet Gail Courville, an Antignano, Italy, retiree, 56, who began her 84-day Total Detox. Program at 5' 2", 164 lbs., "with an emotional need to eat, having been 121 lbs. just three years ago." Post-fast, she would write]:

      "Truth will be the core of my thoughts, the essence of my re-discovered self. What has been shed in my 84-day odyssey has been attachment and untruths--self-concepts of distortion and non-importance which are no longer necessary. Lessons have been learned.

      "'How did I find you,' and 'why did I need what you offer' are two basic questions and a good beginning. Perhaps you might remember that from my initial phone call to you from Rome, Italy, it was a good many more months before I made the decision to do the Program. My friend and flexibility coach [http://www. meridianstretching.com], Bob Cooley, had long been encouraging me to use your Program, as I was carrying around a weight that was not me--a protective wall of edema and fat.

      "I had tried some residential fasting program--three 10-day programs--that had left me frightened of the concept, filled with only the painful memories of vomiting bile and blurred vision, intolerable back pain, and the most hurtful aspect--immediate return to a fatigued, fatter body which I was not comfortable carrying.

      "However, Bob was persistent, and I was desperately unhappy not being healthy, feeling trapped in a body I could not relate to. Today, however, one week past transitioning out of your Program, I finally have a body I love. I am now my temple, and old socialization habits regarding food and drink are in the process of being dismantled.

      "Prior to doing your Program, I knew I wasn't comfortable in my body, because I wasn't comfortable in my associations, and I needed to reconcile the disconnect and discomfort. As much as I judge alcohol and gambling as addictive anesthesia, I now clearly see that food--the cooking as well as the eating--is an addictive process for me. . .an external attempt at a solution for an internal need.

      "The bottom line here is that doing this Program brought me to a place of self-love. Instead of my previous self-loathing, I now feel self-loving. It amazes me that I'd been so deeply disconnected from myself, and would distract myself in so many ways. . .to not be still enough to know my own hurt. Does the reason for this have to be stated?

      "I think not, for the truth I've learned here is that 'it's all just thoughts,' and the reality is this: It all moves energetically along, and the information is just that fleetingly simple and changing, with need and growth. God does not make 'junk,' and I was hiding from this truth, trying to not know what I 'knew'. . .self-punishment for a misconception, a misidentification that I felt I needed to own.

      "Going through the twice-daily enemas I elected to do, slowed me down and made me also go through the 'shit' of being stuck with stinking thinking. 'My' parasites represented attachment to misconceptions which were eating my energy, leaving me a weakened body that was not my own reality.

      "For as long as I can remember, I've struggled for my inner light of positive love. . .to be the me of me. The unnecessary weight and edema I carried kept me unfocused and confused. However, the clarity found during this fast is a much better friend than the food I'd been using to try to satisfy my questioning self-doubts.

      "From here, I look forward to an autumnal 'house cleaning' of at least 20 days. Did this 'cure' me? Am I now doubt- and fear-free? Will the clarity continue? I have learned to live not in the past or future, but in the present. It's real, and this is my new realization. Thus, I now use my power of being in the present, with no attachment, and always in gratitude.

      "Thank you, Dennis, for your dedication to helping others. My stated goal was to find self, clarity and purpose. Living in love, one day at a time, seems to be it for me now, and 'it and I' am enough. I could have gone on and on about the details of my fast, and would do so if you thought it could help another, but for myself, I am content. This is a new feeling for me, and I am everlastingly grateful. A former size 12 (now 6 petite), a confused now clearer persona, in love and health, Gail Courville

[FCI NOTE: Gail's girlfriend and fasting partner is Susan Nolan, a Richmond, VA, performance consultant, 59, with her own company, Smartwork Network. who began her 86-day Total Detox. Program at 5' 8", 175 lbs. Post-fast, she would write the following]:

      "Dear, dear Dennis: I have been looking forward to this opportunity to BEGIN to express my appreciation and gratitude for the incredible fast that you have created, and the fasting journey which you hosted with love, strength, wisdom and humility. I actually completed 65 days of my 86-day Total Detox. Program, as I elected to terminate my fast while vacationing in Mexico. Still, my fast was so far beyond my expectations. I never felt hungry, even when I wanted food. That was only the beginning, because it was TRULY the opportunity for the body not to be paying attention to food, which allowed it to 'reconnect' with the mind and the spirit within.

      "Just taking the daily opportunity to STOP and focus on the spiritual writings--some mine and some yours--gave me a feeling of enormous strength after I went through my daily enema sessions I elected to do. Somehow, because I determined that was a 'required' part of my ritual, it was never compromised; thus, the readings were the center point of each day. Then, reading the 'windows' which FCI provided of so many, many fellow fasters with their variety of experiences, allowed me to appreciate the whole gamut of reactions to this experience. Together, these kept me grounded more than usual.

      "Today, I have a far greater appreciation for the 'wisdom' of fasting, after experiencing a nutritious and healthy fast, unlike the 'water' fast where the body gets no nutrition. I now understand why so many of the greatest thinkers of the human race elected to fast, to enhance their mental clarity. Also, I do see why you, personally, continue to honor your body with fasting, organic foods, and only two meals daily.

      "I'm amazed at how you are able to keep up with sooooooooooo many people as they fast, in such a personal and meaningful dialogue. The wisdom you share about health and spirit and life is simply a very special treasure to be dearly appreciated. While I'd have preferred to have completed my total time commitment, I feel very healthy and have lost enough weight to feel better about myself. My complexion is really good. I passed many worms, many times during the fast, and am so glad I chose to do daily enemas with this detoxification Program, to help rid my body of all of that.

      "At the moment, I'm struggling with balancing myself with food, exercise and spiritual input, seeking my own personal re-balance, as I'm in transition in several aspects of my life. We've moved from another State, are renovating an old house, and my husband no longer goes to work. He works on the house, and I'm establishing my business in my new city while continuing to travel extensively to earn our household income. Having carried extra weight for about 10 years, I wanted to carve some off, which I did, but will never know the ultimate amount, as I'd not weighed myself in Mexico before I began eating again. However, my clothes still fit loosely, and I'm going to buy one size smaller, to fit well.

      "Gail and I have decided that we'd like to fast at least two weeks each year, to keep the machinery clean. I know I cannot maintain an organic lifestyle, but will include more organic foods with my regime. Also, I'll drink some coffee and have some sugar, but less than before. I adore your favorite liquid multi-vitamin/-mineral supplement, "Body Response," and intend to continue using that on a daily basis, as you do.

      "I truly cannot find adequate words to tell you of my deep appreciation for the fast which you've so adeptly authored, with the benefit of your many years of personal experience and living in other cultures. Even more than that, is how you administer it with wit, wisdom and deep understanding. Indeed, I honestly think it's a very TRANSFORMATIVE OPPORTUNITY for the WORLD! For myself, it's so important to know it's a tool which will always be available to me. . .definitely something I will do again and again.

      "I have, Dennis, the utmost respect for you and your life's work, and thank you for sharing it and your depth of knowledge with me. With heartfelt gratitude to the Fast Master, your humble servant, Susan Nolan"

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Any questions, email or phone FCI. Email: FastMaster@fasting.com; phone: 818-590-2536 (know that the best time to catch Founder/Director Dennis Paulson, himself, with the least interruption, is between 10-4, California time). For the Fasting Center International home page, click here: www.fasting.com