[BigJohn]

Originally Posted by Altair

If he got his big 'revelations' through prolonged fasts, which is what scripture tells us, than he indeed artificially induced a mystical experience. Choosing the ''middle way'' thereafter because of the realization it isn't healthy, still leaves us with the issue that his revelation happened through starvation. The same applies to Jesus, Elijah, and Moses.

I am not saying they couldn't have had an actual ''spiritual experience'', but if we say that they did, then why not apply the same to the anorexic patient, the one suffering from a vitamin deficiency, or the starved wildling? They all mention experiences that aren't that different, they may call it by a different name though.

I would say you have uncovered something which some might not want to talk about because it tramples on precious belief system grounds. For example, Jesus fasting for 40 days: his "spiritual experience" during that ordeal must have been very unique.