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Abstinence – refraining from excessive consumption of food and drink, especially from drinking wine in excess. Accurate keeping of the posts established by the Church. The curbing of the flesh by moderate and constant equal consumption of food, from which all passions in general begin to weaken, and especially self-love, which consists of a wordless love of the flesh, the belly and its peace. Moderate, prudent constant abstinence from food and drink makes the body light, cleanses the mind, gives it vigor, and therefore also serves as preparation for prayer. Incontinence of the belly makes the body heavy, plump, hardens the heart, darkens the mind with a multitude of fumes and gases ascending from the stomach to the brain. As soon as a satiated or satiated person gets up to pray, drowsiness and laziness attack him, many crude dreams are depicted in his imagination, his heart is unable to come to tenderness. As harmful as intemperance is, so harmful – or even more so – is immoderate fasting. 36 Weakness of the body, resulting from malnutrition, does not allow prayers to be performed in the proper quantity and with the proper strength. Even for those who are weak in body and sick, violation of abstinence is very harmful, it increases illness, does not support, but frustrates the weak and sick. Prudent moderation is especially capable of supporting and preserving bodily strength and health both in people of strong build and in people of weak, sickly build. Reverend Cassian. A word about reasoning. Philokalia. Part 4. You might be interested in: