18 March 2012
Observations of the Fast
The Bahai Fast is always done in March of each year. The Bahai calendar is made up of nineteen months with nineteen days. The last month of the Bahai calendar year is always reserved for fasting. This is the month of Ala, or Loftiness in english. It is the month before the new year and also just before the start of spring in the northern hemisphere. So from March 2nd to March 20th I am abstaining from food and drink between sunrise and sunset.
‘Abdu’l-Baha said:
"This material fast is an outer token of the spiritual fast; it is a symbol of self-restraint, the withholding of oneself from all appetites of the self, taking on the characteristics of the spirit, being carried away by the breathings of heaven and catching fire from the love of God."
I must admit that it has been hard and not so hard, I am not finished as yet but we are past the half way point. It may seem to some people to be strange to do such a thing but it is something that all Bahai's should do and have an obligation to do. If it is something that will improve your spirituality and heighten your closeness to God it has to be good. So it is that I embarked on this journey. Now this is not to say that not eating is easy, it isn't it, especially when you see everyone else eating away and offering you food. Especially since I can't go to the coffee shop during the day as well. But it is, good, to feel that you are doing something with a purpose and it also provides a good talking point which can get the ball rolling with some great conversations.
So far it has really been great, I have not been too hungry but it is the spiritual part of the fast that has been the best, also a sense of accomplishment that I can do this and I will finish it to the end. I am fulfilling my obligation as a member of the Bahai community and as a spiritual being. It truly is moving me closer to God. It is fasting and obligatory prayer which are exalted in the sight of God. Therefore I am excited to share with you this fast and to extend an offer for you to investigate its reasoning.
Update:
This is the last two days of the Fast and I must say that this has been a wonderful time for me, it has drawn me much closer to God and it has allowed me to become closer to a lot of people I would not normally know. Sharing experiences and thoughts is a great thing at a time like this. Not only that but health wise I feel better too. In terms of your health this something to be said for fasting. So there is a material purpose as well.
‘Abdu’l-Baha said:
"This material fast is an outer token of the spiritual fast; it is a symbol of self-restraint, the withholding of oneself from all appetites of the self, taking on the characteristics of the spirit, being carried away by the breathings of heaven and catching fire from the love of God."
I must admit that it has been hard and not so hard, I am not finished as yet but we are past the half way point. It may seem to some people to be strange to do such a thing but it is something that all Bahai's should do and have an obligation to do. If it is something that will improve your spirituality and heighten your closeness to God it has to be good. So it is that I embarked on this journey. Now this is not to say that not eating is easy, it isn't it, especially when you see everyone else eating away and offering you food. Especially since I can't go to the coffee shop during the day as well. But it is, good, to feel that you are doing something with a purpose and it also provides a good talking point which can get the ball rolling with some great conversations.
So far it has really been great, I have not been too hungry but it is the spiritual part of the fast that has been the best, also a sense of accomplishment that I can do this and I will finish it to the end. I am fulfilling my obligation as a member of the Bahai community and as a spiritual being. It truly is moving me closer to God. It is fasting and obligatory prayer which are exalted in the sight of God. Therefore I am excited to share with you this fast and to extend an offer for you to investigate its reasoning.
Update:
This is the last two days of the Fast and I must say that this has been a wonderful time for me, it has drawn me much closer to God and it has allowed me to become closer to a lot of people I would not normally know. Sharing experiences and thoughts is a great thing at a time like this. Not only that but health wise I feel better too. In terms of your health this something to be said for fasting. So there is a material purpose as well.
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