Fasting and Prayer: Can It Help in the Resolution of Modern Diseases of Culture?
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Authors
Kuhn, Michael
Issue Date
2020-10-08
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Chronic disease , Fasting , Hesychasm , Meditation , Prayer , Yoga
Alternative Title
Abstract
Diseases of modern civilization represent the single largest driver of morbidity and mortality in the Western world. The predominant medical paradigm examines the health of the body nearly exclusively in terms of physiological and mental health, with a particular focus on physical and biochemical associations. This potential bias minimizes the role of the spiritual dimension of health. While there has been movement towards the investigation of Far Eastern practices, the extant literature from a religious perspective is wanting, despite 2000 years of theory and praxis. A literature review was performed examining the Orthodox Christian ascetic practices of fasting and hesychastic prayer, respecting the teleological and empirical evidence for their potential roles in benefiting human health. Additionally, a comparative analysis was conducted to provide further clinical validation from ostensibly similar practices of other traditions, e.g., Islamic fasting, secular intermittent fasting, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy. This evaluation demonstrated that a sufficient hypothetical framework exists for further exploration of these practices. Consequentially, a case series protocol was proposed for future investigation into the potential of Orthodox Christian asceticism in the resolution of the diseases of modern civilization.
Description
Citation
M. Kuhn, "Fasting and Prayer: Can It Help in the Resolution of Modern Diseases of Culture?", Ph.D. dissertation, School of Health Science, Univ. of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT, 2020.
Publisher
University of Bridgeport