In My Mind’s Zen Garden

Recently I completed 10 days of a fasting regimen known as The Master Cleanser, or Master Cleanse.

Right now it’s a pretty well-known diet or fast, depending on what you wish to call it. Singing diva and actress, Beyonce Knowles, is probably the most famous person to have done it, as noted here. Going on the Master Cleanse for 14 days just before doing Dream Girls.

It’s not intended as a weight loss plan, but it’s been said that people will dramatically lose weight (around 1 lb. a day), their complexion will look clearer and more youthful, and one tends to eat very healthy afterwards. It’s primary purpose according to the original book by Stanley Burroughs, The Master Cleanser, is as a means to detoxify the body and help the body rejuvenate and heal itself.

I’m back to doing a primarily raw vegan diet now (approximately 75% raw organic foods) and I’m feeling healthier than before going on the Master Cleanse.

My main reason for going on the Master Cleanse?

Well, upon doing lots of research on the MC, weighing the pros and cons (especially the cons), I decided to go on one to lose some weight and get rejuvenated.

I don’t want to go into specifics (and there are tons of people who’ve chronicled their MC experience through their blogs or journals, and some have even documented their experiences (day by day) on youtube. One person had gone for 45 days on this fast and comparing his 1st and 45th day is remarkable… he’d obviously gone through a dramatic change in his physical appearance.

But I only went on this fast for 10 days, drinking nothing but the special lemonade concoction throughout each day, drinking that awful salt water flush in the mornings (which completely purged my digestive tract 30 minutes later), and the herbal tea laxative at nights.

During the first 3 days I had food cravings and I was irritable at times. And after the 3rd day I felt much lighter physically (not weighed down by the whole process of eating) and at times felt euphoric and my perceptions seemed crystal clear and food cravings disappeared. Matter of fact, after so many days of going on this fast, one loses the appetite and doesn’t feeling like eating at all.

But there’ll be days in which one feels not too well, and the original book mentions that these are detox symptoms, as the toxins are making its way out of the body via elimination.

Overall, it was fairly easy to do. Although I had gigs during this fast where I had to perform quite hard on the drums. I felt a bit weak, as if I had lost a bit of muscle tissue that helps me to perform with more strength and power. But I got through the gigs.

I lost 11 lbs. And feel so much better now.

One thing that was significant is that my face became clearer, smoother and more youthful than before.

Now, going back to a meateater’s diet earlier in the year and telling myself I would just eat fish, but ended up eating virtually all types of meats… well, obviously it took its toll on my body because I really felt sick and lethargic all the time and gained quite a bit of weight. So, this Master Cleanse was a way for me to “reset” my health button and start from scratch afterwards.

After being so healthy on a vegan diet for several years, then listening to and actually following people’s advice to get off the vegan diet. Going back to a meateater’s diet actually backfired and I even started eating tons of junk food from fast food restaurants. I was at an all-time low diet-wise.

So, now here I am after the cleanse. I’m doing yoga again. Exercising by walking and running. Following a vegan diet that emphasizes fresh organic raw fruits and vegetables (actually, whatever diet you follow you should always be eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables), and I have more energy and stamina than before when I was on the meateater’s diet.

I’m a working musician. A drummer primarily. And it’s really important for me to look presentable and to have the energy to get through gigs with lots of energy and endurance, especially at 49!

Also, I’ve given up caffeine and Starbucks mochas. After the cleanse I just don’t have any urge or craving to get Starbucks mochas (which really aren’t good for you). You tell yourself, “well, I need to just moderate”, but caffeine is a drug just like crack cocaine is a drug. Sure it’s a mild drug yet quite addictive. I think that once it’s in your system you have developed a craving for it and keep craving it to continue to stimulate your body to get you through the day.

Now, I feel quite alive and not needing to get a fix of Starbucks caffeined drinks just to get me up in the mornings, or for use as a stimulant before playing a gig.

Will I go on another Master Cleanse?

Yes, I’m planning another one in a few weeks time, in December. Maybe in November just after Thanksgiving. Just 10 days duration again. But I plan to fast for a couple of days before Thanksgiving.

Another important benefit from fasting is the mental and “spiritual” change fasting brings on you. I’m meditating and praying more. I have the patience to sit down and do a 90 minute yoga routine, then meditate and pray for another 15 minutes to half an hour. There is just something about the fasting process that sets one up to being more spiritually focused than before.

Well, being a random guru, I just need more spirituality in my life……