| Fasting and asceticism are essential | | | | any physical illumination during night hours. |
| practices in Javanese Kejawen and | | | | One has to be in complete seclusion in a dark |
| shamanism--especially Indonesian shamanism. | | | | room. If one has the natural urge to |
| Most of the unusual and unique powers | | | | discharge any waste in has to be done in the |
| acquired in Indonesian occultism are | | | | room--one with a bathroom attached to it |
| dependent upon the mastery of these | | | | would be a fitting place for this austerity. |
| disciplines with their many forms and | | | | Depending on the requirements of the magickal |
| variations. Another important factor that | | | | rite, this austerity may run for a period of |
| must not be overlooked in the acquisition of | | | | 24 hours, 3, 7 days, or more.NgelowongThis is |
| these occult powers is the knowledge of the | | | | a lighter form of the above two austerities. |
| correct timing such as the proper month and | | | | One may not eat or drink for the designated |
| day which magickal rites and disciplines are | | | | period. Three hours is the maximum sleep |
| to be commenced, and this is intrinsically | | | | allowed. One may wander outside of the |
| linked with the Javanese calender; this | | | | house.NgrowotThis is a complete fast from |
| however, will not be dealt with in this | | | | dawn to dusk. When one breaks the fast in the |
| article for it is beyond its scope. We will | | | | evening, one may only consume fruits--nothing |
| mainly focus on the many variations of | | | | else! This is a fruitarian discipline. It is |
| fasting and the austerities carried-out in | | | | permissible for one to eat as much as desired |
| Javanese mysticism/occultism.Fasting as a | | | | so long as they are of the same |
| religio-spiritual practice is known the world | | | | kind--bananas, for instance. The other harsh |
| over by modern and ancient cultures. | | | | disciplines of the above such as seclusion, |
| Initially, fasting was the result of the | | | | no sleep, do not apply in this |
| inaccessibility of food and proper | | | | austerity.NganyepThis is a fast from |
| nourishment in the face of lack and poverty. | | | | consuming anything that would cause a |
| It was later adopted by the religious | | | | sensation in the tongue. In other words, the |
| shamanic community for magickal and | | | | things that one eats or drinks should be |
| devotional purposes as it was found to | | | | tasteless. It is similar to mutih except that |
| provide certain interesting results | | | | one has a more variety of foods to choose |
| psychologically, biologically, and | | | | from: for instance, the tasteless diet |
| metaphysically. The ancient grimoires, both | | | | biscuits . . .NgidangOnly edible leaves are |
| eastern and western, are filled with rituals | | | | eaten and plain water drunk in this |
| that require fasting as a preparation for the | | | | austerity. Other foods and fluids are not |
| work.Modern researches on fasting reveals | | | | allowed to be consumed.NgepelNgepel means |
| that the practice results in health and in a | | | | "fist-full." In this fast, one eats a single |
| regeneration of the physical body when done | | | | meal a day and only a hand-full of rice is |
| rationally and not carried into extremes. | | | | allowed or unless indicated by the |
| Fasting maintains one's health as it provides | | | | requirements of the magickal ritual; two or |
| the needed rest to the digestive organs.From | | | | three fist-full may be permitted. A very |
| the magickal perspective, fasting has an | | | | difficult fast as three days may be required |
| occult effect on both mind and body. Shamanic | | | | to complete it.NgasrepOnly cold, tasteless |
| fasting changes the polarity of the physical | | | | foods and drinks are eaten and drunk in this |
| body and also raises its vibrations, making | | | | fast--three times a day, if you |
| it sensitive to the magickal frequencies | | | | will.Monday-Thursday FastThis fast is |
| imperceptible to the five senses. It | | | | normally done at the conclusion of the other |
| especially sensitizes the autonomic nervous | | | | types of fasts. On Mondays and Thursdays one |
| system making it a fine receptor for | | | | would refrain from eating and drinking from |
| receiving psychic impressions that are | | | | dawn to dusk. It is uncertain if this fast |
| overlooked by the nerves of the central | | | | originates with Islam, as this religion also |
| nervous system.Psychologically, fasting | | | | teaches it.WungonThis is a complete fast--the |
| induces a certain borderline state making the | | | | abstinence of food and drinks--for a period |
| mind susceptible to data fed into it in the | | | | of 24 hours. One should also not sleep for |
| form of affirmations, mantras, and prayers, | | | | that 24 hour period.Other AusteritiesJejegNo |
| and thus strengthening subconscious response | | | | bending of the legs (i.e. no sitting) for 12 |
| to the information given. Fasting likewise | | | | hours from dawn to dusk.LelanaNon-stop |
| orients the mind to the spirit within making | | | | walking from midnight to 3 am. This is a time |
| it conducive for inner attunements and | | | | for introspection.KungkumThis is quite an |
| communications to take place with the Cosmic | | | | interesting austerity. Many have found |
| Mind and the various intelligences composing | | | | strange sensations occurring in their body as |
| It. The increased vibrations of the body, | | | | a result of this discipline. The method of |
| cleansed of all toxic matter through fasting | | | | Kungkum is thus: one has to submerge oneself |
| makes it possible for the attraction of | | | | naked in a sitting position up to the neck at |
| certain types of spirit beings that normally | | | | the mouth of a river where two minor rivers |
| would not come into close proximity to us | | | | meet. One has to face against the currents. |
| because of the noxious affluvia that we | | | | The appropriate place and spot ought to be |
| emanate. Indonesian shamanism urges one to | | | | located before starting this austerity--the |
| fast on one's natal day (according to the | | | | currents should not be too strong and the |
| Javanese calender) to accumulate extra power | | | | sand-bed flat. The environment should be |
| and to strengthen the relationship with one's | | | | quiet without other human beings lingering |
| guardian angel and what they call the "four | | | | about. Commenced in the middle of the night, |
| spirit brothers."There is no denying that | | | | Kungkum is to be carried-out for the |
| fasting aids the etheric body to accumulate | | | | designated period by the magickal rite which |
| cosmic power, especially when done in | | | | may be 3 hours or more. Needless to say, this |
| conjunction with the appropriate metaphysical | | | | requires lots of practice. One must not fall |
| exercises. Without physical nourishment, the | | | | asleep while doing the Kungkum as this would |
| body is forced to acquire the energy it needs | | | | be perilous--one must not even move as this |
| through some other channels. When adopted as | | | | would defeat the purpose of the austerity. |
| a regular practice, fasting unfolds psychic | | | | Before entering the river one has to perform |
| sensitivity.As a spiritual discipline, | | | | a ritual cleansing. While in the actual act |
| fasting teaches one to refrain from greed in | | | | of submerging into the water the following |
| all of its hideous forms. It is a practical | | | | mantra ought to be recited:"Putih-putihing |
| reminder of the injunction of the Master | | | | mripatku Sayidina Kilir, Ireng-irenging |
| Jesus: "to be in this world, but not of it." | | | | mripatku Sunan Kali Jaga, Telenging mripatku |
| Fasting, when accompanied with contemplation | | | | Kanjeng Nabi Muhammad."The eyes should be |
| and spiritual reflection, causes beneficial | | | | shut, and the hand crossed over the chest. |
| changes in one's psyche. By fasting from the | | | | The body's lower orifices also ought to be |
| things of this world one would find oneself | | | | closed (perhaps one with a plug made out of |
| being nourished by the Divine Spirit, as | | | | cork) and the breathing regulated |
| Nature hates a vacuum. One would become a | | | | accordingly.The Kungkum discipline is often |
| "god-eater" where physical nourishment | | | | carried-out for a period of 7 consecutive |
| becomes superfluous. This is, of course, | | | | nights. It is especially useful in |
| quite an advance stage.Generally speaking, | | | | accumulating magickal force.NgalongIn this |
| during the period of fasting/austerities one | | | | austerity one meditates with the feet up in |
| should refrain from generating negative | | | | the air with the head pointing downwards. The |
| thoughts, feelings, and actions and should be | | | | feet may be supported by a wall or one may do |
| busily engaged in spiritual works. It is a | | | | any related yoga asana for this. More |
| time of introspection and the reaching out | | | | advanced methods requires one to hang oneself |
| (in) for the divinity within us. One's | | | | upside down on tree branches, like bats. One |
| thoughts ought to be kept at a lofty level. | | | | should not attempt to sway or move while |
| If the fasting is related to a magickal | | | | hanging thus. Physically, the constant |
| ritual, the meditation or mantras of the work | | | | exercise of this discipline helps the |
| ought to be conducted or recited during the | | | | practitioner to develop the ability to |
| fast. The intention of the abstention of food | | | | control the breath--to refrain from breathing |
| and drink must be affirmed and impressed upon | | | | for hours at a time. This austerity is |
| the subconscious mind ere the commencement of | | | | accompanied by the Ngrowot fasting |
| the ritual itself.In Javanese mysticism, | | | | method.Ngeluwang/NglowongNgeluwang is |
| fasting is normally carried out during | | | | considered to be a frightening austerity that |
| certain months of the Javanese calender, such | | | | really tests one's courage. Various magickal |
| as the month of Sura, as these months are | | | | powers are said to be acquired through the |
| considered conducive to spiritual activities. | | | | constant practice of Ngleluwang such as |
| Fasting periods are between 1--40-days. | | | | clairvoyance and the ability to making |
| Auspicious days to commence one's fasting | | | | another see illusions. In Ngeluwang one has |
| from the Kejawenese point of view are | | | | to place oneself in a large hole dug for the |
| Kliwon-Tuesday, Legi-Wednesday, and | | | | purpose, preferably in a graveyard or in a |
| Pahing-Thursday. Fasts/austerities ought to | | | | quiet place, and to remain there for the |
| be preceded by a holy wash/ritual cleansing, | | | | designated period--normally 24 hours. The |
| as this puts one into the proper frame of | | | | basic biological needs of the body such as |
| mind--aside from its other metaphysical | | | | nourishment may be catered to. While carrying |
| benefits.During fasting and the conducting of | | | | out this austerity one may face many |
| the austerities, one would indubitably | | | | temptations and frightening visions. Before |
| encounter varied forms of temptations, | | | | entering the hole, the mantra below ought to |
| visions, and physical discomfort that would | | | | be recited:"Niat ingsun nglowong, anutupi |
| thwart one's efforts. This is partially the | | | | badan kang bolong, siro mara sira mati, kang |
| result of the body elemental's protest | | | | ganggu marang jiwa ingsun, lebur kaya dene |
| against the discipline imposed. Because of | | | | banyu krana Allah Ta'ala."From the |
| its puerile and irrational nature, it will | | | | descriptions of the types of fasting and |
| not accept anything that would upset its | | | | austerities above, it can be seen that they |
| routine work.Fasting and austerities brings | | | | are not easy to accomplish. The people of our |
| out the worst in us onto the surface--and | | | | contemporary times lack the fortitude as |
| this is indeed a blessing as we would be made | | | | compared with the older generations; thus |
| aware of all the neurosis, psychosis, and | | | | many do not possess the powers that their |
| complexes lurking within the psyche that | | | | ancestors displayed.Nowadays, with the |
| requires our attention in the art of | | | | materialistic orientation and life-style, |
| transmutation. These dark elements are often | | | | people expect instant powers without too much |
| projected onto the consciousness in the forms | | | | effort. Although certain powers may be |
| of hallucinations and illusions. This is one | | | | acquired through a transference of power, |
| of the alchemical stages symbolically | | | | these are not the especially unique ones as |
| described by the mages of old. When these | | | | applied and exhibited by the famed heroes of |
| forms arise one should understand what they | | | | old, and may be temporary in nature depending |
| represent or interpret their symbolical | | | | upon the process used and personal potency of |
| nature. Knowing what they are is the first | | | | the channeler of the power. Perhaps we will |
| step of getting rid of them, of which would | | | | provide examples of magickal rituals of |
| consequently make it easier for the | | | | occult-power acquisition that makes use of |
| empowerment of one's psyche and the raising | | | | these shamanic fasting in future |
| of one's magickal power-level. It should be | | | | articles.Since Kejawen or Javanese mysticism, |
| noted that even though such blocks are | | | | and traditional shamanism have been |
| removed, one still has the source of the | | | | influenced greatly by Islam, it would be most |
| problem lying deep within in our spiritual | | | | appropriate to complete this article by |
| forgetfulness and divine ignorance. They are | | | | providing the types of fasting (called "saum" |
| like tentacles belonging to an unseen | | | | or "siyam" in Arabic. Lit. "self-control") as |
| creature which if not killed, new limbs would | | | | enjoined by this religion.Basically, Islam |
| form. However, we are digressing; this topic | | | | categorizes two forms of fasting: obligatory |
| goes beyond the scope of this present | | | | and non-obligatory. The obligatory fast is |
| article.One thing more should be mentioned: | | | | part of the five-pillars of Islam, which is |
| traditionally, we are informed that | | | | the mandatory fasting period in the month of |
| inspirations, visions, and intuitive | | | | Ramadan. Below we list the types of fasts:The |
| impressions of worth occurs from 1 am to | | | | Ramadan FastThis is the fast carried-out for |
| dawn. It is said that during this period the | | | | the whole month of Ramadan. Islam does not |
| impressions emanate from a divine source. At | | | | encourage complete fasts such as taught in |
| other nocturnal periods they issue forth from | | | | shamanism, thus there is food intake but |
| the subconscious mind or from spirit beings | | | | within the hours designated. The Ramadan fast |
| of the lower planes.At the conclusion of any | | | | commences at dawn and ends at dusk--roughly |
| ritual fast or austerity it is a custom in | | | | 12 hours. Food and drinks may be consumed at |
| Javanese occultism/shamanism to offer a | | | | any hour other than the 12-hour daylight |
| thanks-giving consisting of yellow rice, | | | | period.The Fast of King DavidThis |
| glutinous-rice porridges, fruits, etc.The | | | | non-obligatory fast is said to have its |
| practitioner would invite friends and | | | | origin with the Hebrew King. Muhammad The |
| relatives to the feast.Below are most of the | | | | Prophet, blessed is his name, is supposed to |
| methods of fasting and austerities as taught | | | | have said that among the non-obligatory |
| in Kejawen. We have intentionally left out | | | | fasts, the fast of King David is the best. |
| the types of the left-handed path:MutihIn | | | | This is recorded in the Bukhari and Muslim |
| this fast one may only eat white rice without | | | | hadith, or recorded sayings of the Prophet. |
| anything else to go along with it. Not even | | | | The method of the fast is similar to the one |
| salt or other condiments. Mutih is a | | | | done in the month of Ramadan except that it |
| tasteless meal. One may perhaps simply eat | | | | is done every other day--fast one day, rest |
| plain bread providing no salt has been added | | | | the next.The Three-day FastThis fast is done |
| to the dough. In the mutih fast only plain | | | | every month of the Arabic/Islamic calender |
| mineral water is permissible to satisfy one's | | | | for three consecutive days. The method is as |
| thirst. One may eat several times a day but | | | | the Ramadan fast. The best dates to commence |
| with the stated conditions or once a day as | | | | this is on the 13th, 14th and 15th. This fast |
| perhaps designated in the magickal | | | | is non-obligatory.The Six-day FastThis fast |
| rite.NgeruhIn this fast one may only consume | | | | is done for six days, preferably consecutive |
| vegetarian meals. Meat is to be completely | | | | days in the month (Syawal) following Ramadan. |
| avoided. Fish, eggs, and animal products are | | | | Like the obligatory fast, no nourishment is |
| not to be consumed in this fasting method. It | | | | taken from dawn to dusk. This is a |
| is permissible to eat 3 times a day. This | | | | non-obligatory fast like the above.The |
| fast is actually the refraining from eating | | | | Arafah-day FastTo those who are not going on |
| animal life-forms.NgeblengThis fast/austerity | | | | the pilgrimage to the Ka'ba, the Arafah-day |
| is a cessation of all normal activities. One | | | | fast is suggested for cleansing and the |
| may not eat, drink, get out of the house, or | | | | gaining of merit. It is done on the 9th day |
| engage in sexual activities. Sleep should be | | | | of the month of Zulhijah. This non-obligatory |
| minimized. One should preferably stay in | | | | fast is supposed to wipe one's sins created |
| one's room for the designated | | | | within a two-year period--the year before the |
| period--normally for 24 hours. During the | | | | fast and the year after.The Eighth-day |
| twilight and night hours, the room should | | | | FastAnother single-day fast is the one done |
| preferably be without physical illumination. | | | | in the month of Zulhijah, just a day prior |
| The room itself should be dark. In this | | | | to the Arafah-day fast.The Tasu'a and Asura |
| austerity it is permissible to visit the WC | | | | FastThis fast takes place on the 9th and 10th |
| (located in other parts of the house), unlike | | | | day of the month of Muharam.The Al-Baidh |
| the next difficult discipline.PatigeniLike | | | | (Full Moon) FastIt is recorded that the |
| the above, one may not eat, drink or engage | | | | Prophet enjoyed fasting in this period and |
| in any sexual activities. In addition, one | | | | encouraged others to do so. This is a |
| may not sleep, get out of the room, or have | | | | three-day fast during the full moon. |