How do I start a fasting practice when I've never fasted before spiritually?

Begin where you are, not where you think you should be. Fasting isn't about deprivation—it's about creating space. I'd suggest starting with something small: skip one meal a week, or fast from dawn to sunset for a single day. The point isn't to prove your devotion through suffering, but to notice what emerges when you're not feeding every hunger immediately. When you fast, you'll feel restless at first. That's not failure—that's awareness. Sit with it. You might realize how often you eat to avoid feeling lonely, or how much of your day revolves around food and distraction. This noticing is the real practice. Pair your fast with intention. Don't just skip eating; do something with the time and space you've created. Read poetry, pray, walk slowly, journal. Let your hunger become a teacher rather than an enemy. And be gentle with yourself—if you're exhausted or unwell, rest instead. Fasting is an invitation, not a punishment. The goal is deeper connection, not self-harm dressed up as spirituality.