Inedia is the alleged ability to live without food. Food is any substance usually composed primarily of Carbohydrates Fats water and/or Proteins that can be eaten or drunk by an Breatharianism is a related concept, in which believers claim food and possibly water are not necessary, and that humans can be sustained solely by prana (the vital life force in Hinduism), or according to some, by the energy in sunlight. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. Prana (प्राण) is the Sanskrit for " Breath " (from the root prā "to fill" cognate to Latin plenus "full" Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Sunlight, in the broad sense is the total spectrum of the Electromagnetic radiation given off by the Sun. The terms breatharianism or inedia may also refer to this philosophy practiced as a lifestyle in place of the usual diet. The term lifestyle was originally coined by Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler in 1929 This article is primarily about the human diet For a discussion of animal diets see List of feeding behaviours. While it is often seen as an esoteric practice performed by eastern ascetics, recently some groups such as the Breatharian Institute of America have promoted the practice as an option for anybody, once the proper techniques for accessing it are made known. Ascetic redirects here You might also be looking for Acetic acid.
The word 'inedia' simply means 'fasting' in Latin, and was first used to describe a fast-based lifestyle within Catholic tradition, which holds that certain saints were able to survive for extended periods of time without food or drink beyond the Eucharist. The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those
Current scientific theories about nutrition and generally accepted common sense both indicate that a person who follows this practice even in the short term would die of starvation or dehydration. Science (from the Latin scientia, meaning " Knowledge " or "knowing" is the effort to discover, and increase human understanding Nutrition (also called nourishment or aliment) is the provision to cells and Organisms of the materials necessary (in the form of food to support Common sense (or when used attributively as an Adjective, commonsense, common-sense, or commonsensical) based on a strict construction Starvation (also called inanition) is a severe reduction in Vitamin, Nutrient, and Energy intake and is the most extreme form of Dehydration ( hypohydration) is the removal of Water ( hydro in ancient Greek) from an object Breatharians have seldom submitted themselves to medical testing, and currently there is no evidence to support their claims. In a handful of documented cases, individuals attempting breatharian fasting have died. [1][2] Prominent skeptic James Randi has this to say about Breatharianism:
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There are some claims that are far too implausible to warrant any serious examination, such as the "Breatharian" claims in which the applicant states that he can survive without food or water. James Randi (born August 7 1928 (stage name The Amazing Randi) is a stage magician and scientific skeptic best known as a challenger of Paranormal Science conclusively tells us all we need to know about such matters, and the James Randi Educational Foundation feels no obligation to engage applicants in such delusions. The James Randi Educational Foundation ( JREF) is a Fort Lauderdale Florida Non-profit organization founded in 1996 by magician and [3] |
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Jasmuheen (born Ellen Greve) was probably the most famous advocate of Breatharianism during the 1990s. Jasmuheen (born 1957 as Ellen Greve) is an Australia -based proponent of 'pranic nourishment' or breatharianism, defined as the practice of living without She claimed "I can go for months and months without having anything at all other than a cup of tea. My body runs on a different kind of nourishment. "[4] Several interviewers found her house full of food, but she claimed the food was for her husband. In 1999, she volunteered to be monitored closely by the Australian television program 60 Minutes for one week without eating to demonstrate her methods. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. 60 Minutes premiered 11 February 1979. It airs on Sunday nights on the Nine Network. [5][6] Greve claimed that she failed because on the first day of the test she had been confined in a hotel room near a busy road, saying that the stress and pollution kept her from getting the nutrients she needed from the air. Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into an environment that causes instability disorder harm or discomfort to the physical systems or living organisms they are in “I asked for fresh air. Seventy percent of my nutrients come from fresh air. I couldn’t even breathe,” she said. On the third day the test moved to a mountainside retreat where she could get plenty of fresh air and live happily. After Greve had fasted for four days, Dr. Beres Wenck, president of the Queensland branch of the Australian Medical Association, urged her to stop the test.
According to the doctor, Greve’s pupils were dilated, her speech was slow, she was "quite dehydrated, probably over 10%, getting up to 11%. " Towards the end of the test, she said, "Her pulse is about double what it was when she started. The risks if she goes any further are kidney failure. 60 Minutes would be culpable if they encouraged her to continue. She should stop now. " The test was stopped. Dr. Wink said, "Unfortunately there are a few people who may believe what she says, and I'm sure it's only a few, but I think it's quite irresponsible for somebody to be trying to encourage others to do something that is so detrimental to their health. "[7] She challenged the results of the program, saying, "Look, 6,000 people have done this around the world without any problem. "[8] Though she claims thousands of followers,[9][10] mostly in Germany,[11] there is no evidence that any have lived for long periods of time without any food at all.
Jasmuheen was awarded the Bent Spoon Award by Australian Skeptics in 2000 ("presented to the perpetrator of the most preposterous piece of paranormal or pseudoscientific piffle"). The Bent Spoon Award is an award given by Australian Skeptics, "presented to the perpetrator of the most preposterous piece of Paranormal or Pseudoscientific The Australian Skeptics is a non-profit organisation based in Australia which investigates Paranormal and Pseudoscientific claims using scientific [12] She also won the 2000 Ig Nobel Prize for Literature for Living on Light. The Ig Nobel Prizes are a Parody of the Nobel Prizes and are given each year in early October — around the time the recipients of the genuine Nobel Prizes are Jasmuheen claims that their beliefs are based on the writings and "more recent channelled material" of the Count of St Germain. Mediumship is a practice in religious beliefs such as Spiritualism, Spiritism, Espiritismo, Candomblé, Louisiana Voodoo, and The Count of St Germain ( fl 1710–1784 has been variously described as a Courtier, Adventurer, Charlatan, Inventor, [13] She claims that her DNA has expanded from 2 to 12 strands, to "absorb more hydrogen". Deoxyribonucleic acid ( DNA) is a Nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known When offered $30,000 to prove her claim with a blood test, she said that she didn't understand the relevance. [14]
The well-publicized deaths of 49-year-old Australian-born Scotland resident Verity Linn, 31-year-old Munich kindergarten teacher Timo Degen, and 53-year-old Melbourne resident Lani Marcia Roslyn Morris, while attempting to enter the Breatharian "diet," have drawn further criticism of the idea. [1][2] Jim Vadim Pesnak, 63, and his wife Eugenia, 60, went to jail for three years on charges of manslaughter for their involvement in the death of Morris. Verity Lynn, the Scottish woman who inadvertently killed herself by choosing the Breatharian "diet" was a nominee for the 1999 Darwin Awards. A Darwin Award is a Tongue-in-cheek "honor" named after Evolutionary theorist Charles Darwin. She "took to the highlands", the article says, "with only a tent and her grit and determination. " She died of hypothermia and dehydration, aggravated by lack of food. Jasmuheen claimed that her death was brought on by a psycho-spiritual problem, rather than a physiological one.
Jasmuheen has denied any involvement with the three deaths and claims she cannot be held responsible for the actions of her followers. In reference to the death of Lani Morris, she said that perhaps Morris was "not coming from a place of integrity and did not have the right motivation". [2]
Wiley Brooks is a purported breatharian, and founder of the Breatharian Institute of America. He was first introduced to the public in 1981, when he appeared on the TV show That's Incredible!. That's Incredible! was a Reality television show that ran on the ABC television network from 1980 to 1984. Wiley has stopped teaching in recent years, so he can "devote 100% of his time on solving the problem as to why he needed to eat some type of food to keep his physical body alive and allow his light body to manifest completely. In Physics, a physical body (sometimes called simply a body or even an object) is a collection of Masses taken to be one According to various esoteric, occult, and mystical teachings living beings are constituted of a series of psycho-spiritual subtle bodies, each corresponding "[15] This comes after much controversy over the years. In 1983 he was allegedly spotted leaving a Santa Cruz 7-Eleven with a Slurpee, hot dog and Twinkies. Santa Cruz is the County seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, California, United States. 7-Eleven is a worldwide chain of Convenience stores It is since March 2007 the largest chain store in any category beating McDonald's by 1000 stores Worldwide consumption 7-Eleven stores are a franchise, and Slurpees are offered in many but not all covered countries A hot dog is a type of fully-cooked cured and/or smoked moist Sausage of soft even texture and flavor A Twinkie is a "Golden Sponge Cake with Creamy Filling" popular in North America [16]
He told Colors magazine in 2003 that he periodically breaks his fasting with a Big Mac and a Coke, explaining that when he's surrounded by junk culture and foods, consuming them adds balance. Colors magazine is a multilingual quarterly magazine developed in Italy by Fabrica Benetton's research center The Big Mac is a hamburger sold by the international Fast-food chain McDonald's. Coca-Cola is a carbonated Soft drink sold in stores restaurants and Vending machines in more than 200 countries Junk food is a broad term that is used to describe a variety of Food products from Sweets that contain little to no Nutritional value to products used in [2] On his website Brooks goes on to explain that his future followers must first prepare by combining the junk food diet with the meditative incantation of the five magic fifth-dimensional words which appear on his website. [17] Prospective disciples are asked after some time on this junk food/magic word preparation to revisit his website in order to test if they can feel the magic. [17] He further mentions that those interested can call him on his fifth-dimensional phone number in order to get the correct pronunciation of the five magic words. [17] In case the line is busy prospective recruits are asked to meditate on the five magic words for a few minutes and then try calling again. [17] However he does not explain how anyone can meditate with words they cannot yet pronounce. Wiley Brooks' Breatharian Institute of America charges varying fees to prospective clients who wish to learn how to live without food. [18] These charges have historically been presented as limited time offers, increasing from a charge of 15,000,000 USD in September 2007 to 25,000,000 US dollars in January 2008. [18] A payment plan can be arranged but no refunds are offered currently. [18] In addition all applicants must be pre-qualified by the Breatharian Institute. [19]
Hira Ratan Manek (born September 12, 1937) claims that since June 18th, 1995, he has lived exclusively on water, and occasional tea, coffee, and buttermilk. Hira Ratan Manek (born September 12 1937 claims that since June 18th 1995 he has lived exclusively on Water, and occasional Tea, Coffee, and Buttermilk Tea refers to the cured agricultural product of the leaves leaf buds and internodes of Camellia sinensis, which have been prepared and cured for the market CoFFEE is an Open source Software for computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL in a digital classroom Buttermilk is a Fermented dairy product produced from Cow's milk with a characteristically sour taste He says sunlight is the key to his health, citing the Jainist Tirthankara Mahavira, ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Native Americans as his inspiration. Jainism, traditionally known as Jain Dharma / Shraman Dharma (जैन धर्म is an ancient religion of India. In Jainism, a Tirthankar (" Fordmaker " (also Tirthankara or Jina) is a Human being who achieves enlightenment (perfect Mahavira (महावीर lit Great Hero) (599 – 527 BCE is the name most commonly used to refer to the Indian sage Vardhamana ( Sanskrit: वर्धमान Ancient Egypt was an Ancient Civilization in eastern North Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now The term ancient Greece refers to the period of Greek history lasting from the Greek Dark Ages ca For indigenous peoples in the United States other than Hawaii and Alaska see also Native Americans in the United States.
According to his website, three extended periods of his fasting have been observed under control of scientific and medical teams: the first lasting 211 days in 1995-96 in Calicut, India, under the direction of Dr C. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> For the district with the same name see Kozhikode District. K. Ramachandran. During that period he is reported to have lost 41 kg. [20]
The second study lasted 411 days in 2000-2001 in Ahmedabad, India, under the direction of a 21 member team of medical doctors and scientists led by Dr Sudhir Shah and Dr K. Ahmedabad (અમદાવાદ Amdāvād, Hindi: अहमदाबाद) is the largest city in K. Shah, a past President of the Indian Medical Association and current Chairman of the Jainist Doctors' Federation. The Indian Medical Association (IMA the national organization of “Doctors of Modern Scientific System of Medicine” was organized in 1928 and currently IMA has around 100000 members The latter group aims to "Promote scientific research and medical education based on principles of Jainism"[21]. Dr K. K. Shah said "Fasting is a method of curing the meditation of mind and body which has been proved by great jain monks, sanyasis and munis of ancient times. There is a need to propagate these methods during this age of increasing diseases of the body and mind due to overconsumptions and increasing with fasting would help maintain perfection. "[20]. Dr Sudhir Shah was also involved in the study of Prahlad Jani. [22]
The paper[23] published by Dr Sudhir Shah makes it clear that dozens of people had access to Hira Ratan Manek during the study and he went on at least one excursion: "Most surprisingly, he had himself climbed the famous Shatrunjay mountain (Palitana hill) on 4. 4. 01, on 401st day of his legendary fasting along with 500 fellowmen without anybody’s help, within 1. 5 Hrs. only". The paper reports that the subject lost 19 kg of weight during the study period. Neither the experiment, as described in the paper, nor the paper itself have been validated by any well-known Western scientific or medical journal.
The third study lasted 130 days in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at Thomas Jefferson University and the University of Pennsylvania under the direction of Dr. Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə Thomas Jefferson University is a private health sciences university located in Center City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the United States. The University of Pennsylvania (also known as Penn) is a private University located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Andrew Newberg and Dr. George C. Brainard. Dr Sudhir Shah, who led the previous study, acted as an advisor and consultant to the USA team. [24]
However, Dr. Andrew Newberg said that Hira stayed at the University of Pennsylvania only for brain scans on studies of meditation, not his ability to fast indefinitely. Newberg denied ever undertaking the 130-day study.
Prahlad Jani, a sadhu, spent ten days under strict observation by physicians in Ahmedabad, India, in 2003. In Hinduism, sadhu is a common term for an Ascetic or practitioner of Yoga ( Yogi) who has given up pursuit of the first three Ahmedabad (અમદાવાદ Amdāvād, Hindi: अहमदाबाद) is the largest city in The study was led by Dr Sudhir Shah, the same doctor who led the study of Hira Ratan Manek. Reportedly, during the observation, he was given only 100 millilitres of water a day to use as mouthwash, which was collected and measured after he used it, to make sure he hadn't consumed any. The litre or liter (see spelling differences) is a unit of Volume. Throughout the observation, he passed no urine or stool, but doctors say urine appeared to form in the bladder, only to be reabsorbed. Urine is a liquid waste product of the body secreted by the Kidneys by a process of filtration from Blood and Excreted through the Urethra. Feces, faeces, or fæces (see spelling differences) is a waste product from an animal's digestive tract expelled through the Anus [25] However, despite Jani's claim to have gone without food for decades, Jani was not engaged in strenuous exercise during the ten-day trial, and longer trials were not recorded under similarly strict observation. Further, his weight did drop slightly during the 10 days, casting some doubt on his claim to go indefinitely without food. Jani claims a goddess sustains him through amrit that filters down through a hole in his palate. Amrita or Amrit (अमृत ਅੰਮ੍ਰਿਤ ಅಮೃತ అమృతము is a Sanskrit word that literally means "without death" and is often The palate (ˈpælɨt is the roof of the Mouth in humans and Vertebrate animals [25] The Indian Rationalists label him a "village fraud". [26]
Roman Catholicism also has traditions of inedia, in which saints, as well as Jesus, are claimed to have been able to go for months or years without any food (or with no food but Communion). A saint (from the Latin sanctus) is a human being to whom has been attributed (and who has generally demonstrated a high level of Holiness and Sanctity Jesus of Nazareth (7–2 BC / BCE —26–36 AD / CE) The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those [27] Such saints include:
Paramahansa Yogananda's Autobiography of a Yogi details two alleged historical examples of Breatharianism, Giri Bala and Therese Neumann. Therese Neumann ( 9 April 1898 &ndash 18 September 1962) was a German Catholic mystic and Stigmatic Alexandrina Maria da Costa (30 March 1904 &ndash 13 October 1955 also known as Santinha de Balasar (Little Saint of Balasar Alexandrina de Balasar and in English Paramahansa Yogananda ( Bengali: পরমহংস যোগানন্দ Pôromohôngsho Joganondo, Sanskrit: परमहंस योगानंद Therese Neumann ( 9 April 1898 &ndash 18 September 1962) was a German Catholic mystic and Stigmatic