Regarding Fasting

Today is another fasting day.

Following Ananda Marga, my fasts consist on no liquids or solids from dinner to the second breakfast, over 24 hours.

Many people comment on how ridiculous such a fast is and how all it can be is harmful. Recently I realized a simple way of describing my view on this subject:
- fasting is not the goal, it is a method.

The objective of a fast is purification of the body and strengthening of the mind (building will power).
If someone decides to do a fast without first researching the method then it will most likely hurt the body and not purify it.
If you decide to fast but spend the whole day craving food and anxiously awaiting the moment when you can eat again then you will not be strengthening anything.