Initiation

So strange we would discuss initiation yesterday. I am going through a bit of an initiation myself currently. I guess all matters between creation and death can be considered a process of initiation, but my current initiation is a little more ritualistic, a little more akin to the initiation practices of many Native American tribes and other cultures.
I'm writing a paper for one of my classes, and it has to be on a topic food-related for which I have personal experience. I don't have any exciting food-related experiences in my past, so I've decided to embark on a 7 day water fast.
I'm currently on day four of the fast, and it has been interesting to say the least. I've loosely modeled the fast by the Jainist ritual known as santhara. During this ritual, a Jainist will fast him or herself to death over the span of sometimes many years. This is not a suicide, but rather an acceptance of one's departure from the world. It acts as both karma control and a source of enlightenment.
I do not intend to fast myself to death, but the prospect of finding enlightenment--even a mere glimpse-- is fascinating. So far, I've solely experienced false yet ravenous hunger, lightheadedness, a cloudy mind, and surprise at my willpower. I have a few more days left, and I find stomach and mind conspiring against me, trying to convince me that I should eat, that there is nothing to accomplish here. At the very least, overcoming that aspect of myself will be rewarding, and at best I'll develop a new way of looking at the world.
My mind will occasionally lapse into space so bear with me this week.