the bahai fast
i wanted to write a little bit about the Baha'i fast. every year Bahai's world wide participate in a 19 day fast, a material fast in order to slow down, focus on our true self which is spiritual in nature and reflect on the life of the spirit. a really great quote to describe it is as follows:
“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.”
-Abdu'l-Baha
the fast is similar to Ramadan or possibly Lent in which one abstains from food or drink during the day, while the sun is up. it sounds crazy, and when i first heard about it before i decided to follow the Baha'i Faith, i thought it was potentially dangerous and unnecessary. however, there are numerous benefits to fasting including physical and spiritual reasons, and in our faith those who are pregnant, nursing, children, seniors, or that have any kind of illness should not participate in the fast. but, my point here isn't to convince you why it's beneficial. i merely wanted to write about my feelings towards it this year, since i am not fasting. i thought i would feel relieved, because it is quite difficult at times to fast, especially during finals :) however, i find myself feeling a little left out. i really enjoy the feelings of comradery that i have knowing that millions of other Bahai's are also fasting. i had gotten into a rhythm during the fast of re-focusing my thoughts towards the spiritual when hunger strikes, or saying a prayer or reading the sacred writings. something that i don't normally do during the day very consistently throughout the year. it's a slowing down, a reflecting, thinking about my blessings, and a time of feeling thanks towards God. i miss that. i'm trying to do my best to have reverent times during the day now, for example, when eating breakfast i take time to read some sacred writings and reflect on their meaning rather than just scarfing down my food in a hurry, and reading special prayers. but it's not the same. although the fast may be difficult at times, periods where my breath is hideous and i am so thirsty, dealing with lethargy and being cold, trying be patient when i really want to bite the head off of someone that is irritating me, it is so worth it when it's time to break the fast. that first sip of water, the warmness that spreads through my body, the feeling of being content and happy, the feeling of success that i got through another day of fasting, and often times the clarity and feeling of well-being that i get from exerting so much more energy towards the spirit. but, i know that by not fasting during this pregnancy, such a special time in my life, by nourishing my body and thus my baby, i am being obedient to and following the laws set down by God. so, happy fasting to all my Baha'i brothers and sisters! i'll be praying for and with you!
P.S. Rainn Wilson, who is a Baha'i, writes about the fast on his blog, and it's pretty great if you want to check it out: http://bahaiteachings.org/the-bahai-fast-slowly
“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.”
-Abdu'l-Baha
the fast is similar to Ramadan or possibly Lent in which one abstains from food or drink during the day, while the sun is up. it sounds crazy, and when i first heard about it before i decided to follow the Baha'i Faith, i thought it was potentially dangerous and unnecessary. however, there are numerous benefits to fasting including physical and spiritual reasons, and in our faith those who are pregnant, nursing, children, seniors, or that have any kind of illness should not participate in the fast. but, my point here isn't to convince you why it's beneficial. i merely wanted to write about my feelings towards it this year, since i am not fasting. i thought i would feel relieved, because it is quite difficult at times to fast, especially during finals :) however, i find myself feeling a little left out. i really enjoy the feelings of comradery that i have knowing that millions of other Bahai's are also fasting. i had gotten into a rhythm during the fast of re-focusing my thoughts towards the spiritual when hunger strikes, or saying a prayer or reading the sacred writings. something that i don't normally do during the day very consistently throughout the year. it's a slowing down, a reflecting, thinking about my blessings, and a time of feeling thanks towards God. i miss that. i'm trying to do my best to have reverent times during the day now, for example, when eating breakfast i take time to read some sacred writings and reflect on their meaning rather than just scarfing down my food in a hurry, and reading special prayers. but it's not the same. although the fast may be difficult at times, periods where my breath is hideous and i am so thirsty, dealing with lethargy and being cold, trying be patient when i really want to bite the head off of someone that is irritating me, it is so worth it when it's time to break the fast. that first sip of water, the warmness that spreads through my body, the feeling of being content and happy, the feeling of success that i got through another day of fasting, and often times the clarity and feeling of well-being that i get from exerting so much more energy towards the spirit. but, i know that by not fasting during this pregnancy, such a special time in my life, by nourishing my body and thus my baby, i am being obedient to and following the laws set down by God. so, happy fasting to all my Baha'i brothers and sisters! i'll be praying for and with you!
P.S. Rainn Wilson, who is a Baha'i, writes about the fast on his blog, and it's pretty great if you want to check it out: http://bahaiteachings.org/the-bahai-fast-slowly
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