More of us are choosing certain dietary practices for reasons such as weight loss, general health and well-being, or animal and planetary welfare. However, emerging science suggests that these practices could also support spiritual and Psi* (parapsychological) development.
I initially trialled fasting to help with weight loss. However, the more I reviewed the science around fasting, the more committed I was to continue due to the array of reported health benefits. Now, emerging science is also looking into gains of a spiritual nature, including an increase in paranormal experiences and abilities.
Several accounts of spiritual traditions are associated with fasting, veganism/vegetarianism, and Psi abilities. For example, Robin Wright wrote a book in 2013 about the life of Mandu da Silva, the last living jaguar among the Baniwa people of northwest Amazon. The book highlights how Shamans may fast to support Psi-like abilities, such as shamanic healing, by working alongside spirits in spiritual realms. In his book Spiritual Nutrition, Gabriel Cousens discusses fasting and raw food veganism to assist with individual spiritual practices such as kundalini awakening.
One study in 2022, conducted by Michael Daw, Chris Coe, and Callum Cooper, analysed surveys of people who fast and/or follow vegan or vegetarian diets, regardless of their Psi proficiency. The study investigated associations between these dietary practices and paranormal experiences. Those in the vegan/vegetarian group reported significant increases in both Psi experiences and abilities when fasting and eating more whole foods. The survey asked questions such as, “How does the length of time for an individual fast and participant fasting history impact one’s Psi experiences and abilities?” The researchers found that these two factors significantly affected an individual’s Psi abilities within the fasting group. It’s important to highlight here that having a long history of fasting seems more conducive to increasing one’s Psi abilities. This isn’t surprising, as many of these sorts of practices, such as meditation, need to be implemented consistently over a long period to gain the ultimate benefits.
This study is exciting as it’s one of the first to highlight a quantitative association between Psi experiences/abilities and diet. Further studies within this area could potentially help increase performance and consistency in Psi tasks and provide insights into theories relating to Psi. Something I have personally noticed from practising fasting is my mind feels clearer and sharper when undertaking cognitive tasks. I have also become aware of a reduction in noise or ‘mind chatter,’ so to speak. Anecdotally, diet practices might be a piece of the puzzle that contributes to connecting with our extrasensory perception (ESP). Interestingly, meditation is a practice that may be more widely known to help quieten the mind. Many individuals interviewed for the research project I am involved with, who have had clairvoyant and telepathic experiences, also have a meditation/mindfulness/ritual practice.
Eckhart Tolle, a world-renowned Spiritual Teacher, believes that to awaken spiritually, we need to not think (only when needed) and focus on being a conscious presence. So this study could be the springboard to gaining more insights into diet practices that could further aid spiritual development and Psi abilities and experiences.
However, it must be considered that all studies have limitations, and this one is no exception. Firstly, the results could be interpreted inversely. That is to say, participants who reported a greater incidence of Psi experiences and abilities may be more likely to implement certain dietary practices. The sample used for this study was limited to testing the effects of fasting on vegans/vegetarians. And the effects of vegetarianism on those who fast. A new study could expand to include the general population and have an experimental study design. Various studies also correlate Psi with hypersensitivity, paranormal belief, extraversion, and creativity. These factors would therefore need to be considered in future studies in conjunction with diet and fasting.
It certainly provides some food for thought.
*Today, people studying psychic abilities (parapsychologists) use the Greek letter psi (pronounced “sigh”) to cover all the different forms of psychic phenomena. Psi includes ESP (which incorporates telepathy, clairvoyance, and remote viewing), PsychoKinesis, and Survival of Bodily Death.
**If you are considering beginning a new dietary practice, please seek the advice of a suitable health professional.
REFERENCE
Daw, M. J., Roe, C., & Cooper, C. E. (2022). A Survey of Fasting, Vegetarianism, and Paranormal Experiences, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/361484986
Lamb, R. (2011). Yogic powers and the Rāmānanda Sampradāy. In K. Jacobsen (Ed.), Yoga powers: Extraordinary capacities attained through meditation and concentration (pp. 427–458). BRILL
Wright, R. M. (2013). Mysteries of the Jaguar Shamans of the Northwest Amazon. University of Nebraska Press
Melanie Oborne, Our Expert
Melanie Oborne is a psychologist and researcher who has a passion for bringing together clinical practices, scientific research, and spiritual paradigms to enhance individual well-being. Since 2018, Melanie has assisted clients to integrate their transpersonal and/or paranormal experiences. Melanie currently conducts qualitative research with the Shared Crossing Project based in Santa Barbara, California.
- Melanie Oborne, Our Expert
- Melanie Oborne, Our Expert
- Melanie Oborne, Our Expert
- Melanie Oborne, Our Expert
- Melanie Oborne, Our Expert
- Melanie Oborne, Our Expert
- Melanie Oborne, Our Expert
- Melanie Oborne, Our Expert
- Melanie Oborne, Our Expert
