If there is an epidemic in our world, it is one of spiritual blindness. The emptiness in the hearts of the masses many not always show outwardly, but in the quietness of one’s soul there is no place to hide.

As much as technology may make our lives easier, and as much as the modern world may increase our comfort… NOTHING in this world will EVER fill the void inside except a spiritual filling – an awakening to our “true” unseen identity. It can be quite simple to disregard the weeping heart and hold back the pain with work, money, sex, food, alcohol and drugs. But when we look in the mirror, ALL of us know the truth behind our eyes.

Inside is a little boy or girl trying to make sense of endless things happening all around him or her … a world for grown ups that nobody taught us how to live in. That little boy or girl, crying out for love and utilizing everything external to try to fill the bottomless pit in the center of his or her heart. Trying to find worthiness and “a purpose” in a three-dimensional world where everything eventually fades and ceases to exist. In the end, do we ever believe that we are worth it?

Or do we feign happiness the best way that we can, knowing in our heart of hearts that it is all a show. Do we really love in our relationships, or do we take “hostages” and demand that they constantly fulfill our blown-up expectations? If there is war in our hearts, it will eventually spill out to the external world around us.

And many are the victims we often leave behind… all we can often do is pray and hope for that spiritual awakening. Pray that, someway, somehow, the eyes of our understanding may be opened so that we can see a ray of light at the end of the road… something that will make sense of the pain, chaos and desperation all around us.

The spiritual void leads to depressive disorders, feeling overwhelmed or that life is spinning out of control… there is great distress. Feelings get polluted with poisonous bitterness, self hatred and feelings of being “less than” … a failure. Many individuals have to have a Radio or television to view/listen to at all times because they cannot withstand being alone with themselves.

Silence becomes unbearable as the voice of self-condemnation takes over and yells in our minds without ceasing. While fasting, the internal quietness can be quite deep. Loud, painful inner thoughts turn to silence, perhaps for the very first time, we are able to hear the words of the Spirit.

Treating this spiritual void calls for draining the heart and soul of all of the rubbish that impedes our connection with God. Fasting is by far one of the most powerful tools that I know which makes this possible because it leads us to empty ourselves “from ourselves.” Once we can set aside the finite voice of self, we can then turn our ear and hear the infinite, loving and powerful voice of God.

And in listening to this Voice, we wake up from the dream and come to know a new way… a better way – a way of peace and freedom. This does NOT mean that life will always be a bowl of cherries. You and I both now that that would be a lie. BUT, spiritual connection via frequent fasting is a great antidote that will keep the void from taking over and consuming our lives.