Everyone, except the persons whose physical constitution unfits them for it, should mark their entry upon the path of purification by a short fast. If he has never fasted before, it may be a modified fast during which he abstains from all solid food but takes well-diluted fruit or vegetable juices. Two to four days is sufficiently long for this purpose. Otherwise the best time to fast is at the opening of the seasons of spring and summer. Spring marks the beginning of the ancient new year, the real new year, around March 21. The more an aspirant purifies himself by using this simple method of physical fasting, the more will he be able to obtain a corresponding mental purification. After the first year or two, he will find it possible to go on to a fuller fast, during which nothing but water should be taken.
-- Notebooks Category 5: The Body > Chapter 4 : Fasting > # 31
