Finding minimalism in a world of consumerism. And How to Get Started. In many ways, my views on fasting have not changed. I still see spiritual value in removing food for a period of 24 hours. The practice does indeed heighten awareness of spiritual matters. And nothing I write beyond this point is meant to take away from that practice or the spiritual benefits of it. I only mean to add to it. Fasting, it seems to me, is ulti.