Why I'm Drinking Raw Milk for 42 Days

Soooo, yeah. I am planning to drink only raw milk for the next 42 days. Yes, I know that to most people, this probably sounds totally crazy-- and unsafe!

Raw milk has gotten a bad reputation, largely due to the work of Louis Pasteur and resulting "germ theory".  There are allegations that Pasteur was actually a fraud, who perpetuated germ theory despite never actually being able to prove his claims in the lab. However, since I can't confirm any of this, I digress. What's clear is that there's been a crusade against raw milk for many decades now, with regulatory agencies doing their best to systematically eliminate access to this wholesome food--a food that has been a staple of ancient diets all around the world. Why? And why would so many different cultures drink raw milk if it's so dangerous and potentially lethal?

Well, that brings me to one of my favorite sayings about dairy: It's not the cow, it's the HOW. Meaning that it isn't the milk itself that is inherently dangerous, it is the abuse of the cows via terrible living conditions and poisonous diets, which renders the milk harmful to humans. Happy cows raised humanely on pastures with nourishing food produce milk that is very safe. There is a great book called The Untold Story of Milk which goes into the nitty gritty of how raw milk became unfairly demonized. Also, did you know that the Mayo Clinic successfully treated numerous ailments with a raw milk diet?

After researching the effects of raw milk on the human body, I'm quite confident that this mono fast (aka consuming only one source of nutrition) will not only be safe, but it may potentially improve my health and well-being in many ways. To test this hypothesis, I will consume only raw milk (and kefir)  and observe how it affects me. After all, personal experience is the best teacher, right?

Since I'm already sounding like a lunatic, I may as well confess that the intentions behind this fast are not just about proving that raw milk is safe. I believe that fasting provides an important spiritual benefit, as well. There are many instances of fasting leading to enhanced mental clarity and, in some cases, experiences of divine guidance. But why fast with raw milk?

I think the idea was planted in my mind many years ago, when I came across an article about the angelic visitations received by Joan of Arc. The author conjectured that the heavenly voices Joan heard were actually the result of all the raw, unpasteurized milk she drank. They went on to claim that she had potentially contracted bovine tuberculosis, which causes seizures and dementia. This "debunking" of her spiritual revelations stuck in my mind, and I recalled it later when studying Ayurveda.

Ayurveda considers milk a nearly perfect food. It is highly sattvic, meaning pure and spiritually elevating. There are many revered Indian saints who describe raw milk as one of the most fitting foods for spiritual seekers.

Indian saint, Ramana Maharshi, petting an adorable cow

After learning this, I thought maybe there was some truth to milk being the cause of Joan's revelations--but not because of bovine tuberculosis. Perhaps her diet of raw milk allowed her to maintain such a high level of spiritual purity that it actually facilitated communication with angelic beings. Yes, I know-- that all seems rather far-fetched, and there's no way to really prove these ideas. However, regardless of whether raw milk was at the root of Joan's visions or not, my experience with the power of Ayurveda leads me to believe that milk is an excellent choice for a spiritually motivated mono fast. And, hey, if I suddenly start talking to angels-- great! I'll be sure to write a post about it. 😂

I have enough experience with fasting to know that this is NOT going to be easy. Hunger can stimulate all kinds of emotions and psychological uneasiness. In the beginning, it always makes me cranky, "hangry", and less energetic. Fasting is a big challenge, and in my opinion, that is precisely why it yields such beneficial results. Overcoming adversity strengthens us. During fasting, we have to remain disciplined and push through the major discomforts that inevitably occur. We subdue the demands of the body and focus our energy on cultivating our inner strength. When we challenge ourselves in this ways, we can build extraordinary resilience and will power. By the end of a fast, I usually feel amazing-- my thinking is clearer, my energy is improved, and I just have an overall feeling of being "lighter". I also feel more connected to my spirituality and relationship with God during/after my fasts. I imagine this is why fasting is such a central feature of so many religious traditions.

Alright. I think that's enough explanation for now. Let's see what happens!