Fasting Strengthens Our Will Power And Increases Self Discipline Which Helps In Soul Cleansing.
Almost all faiths and traditions advocate fasting as a tool to spiritual upliftment. Most of us today find ourselves saying that we cannot live without mobiles, the internet, a car, an AC, coffee, etc. At such times these days of fasting make us aware of our own strength and will power which we are not using. Fasting creates a disciplined regime and self control which takes us on a path of higher consciousness. The discipline of fasting teaches us that once we create a determined thought, nothing is impossible. As we practice fasting on a physical level, we can also do it on a mental level. It is only a decision. We can decide that for the next 30 days we will choose peace instead of anger, in every situation.
In every faith, the fast is not just purely for a few minutes or hours but for weeks or even a month or more, because it takes time to realize, appreciate and sustain changes at a deep-rooted level. During any fast it is important to give attention to intention. Are we doing it because our religion says we must do it; everyone is doing it so we must do it; have been doing it every year; to appease God; if we don't do it we will be punished... If it is any of these or similar intentions, then pause and consciously change the intention to a higher purpose. We do it so that it gives us the strength to connect to God, and to clean our self of our weaknesses of ego, anger, greed, jealousy and pain. Let us choose one sanskar of ours today, and let us make a firm resolve that for the next 30 days we will abstain from it - irritation, criticism, anger... and use instead a sanskar of patience, appreciation, love. If we are holding any hurt or animosity, now is the time, create one powerful thought - Past is Passed, it's over. Forgiveness is the message of every religion, so let us follow our religion. It is a time of love and unity, where let go of every negative thought. Let us not just cleanse our body, but cleanse the mind also. Religion gave us the tradition of fasting, so that it comes as a reminder for us to take out time for soul cleansing. When the vibrations all over the world are of determination, fasting and will power, any decision made today will be easier to implement. Each one of us should be a part of Ramadan or Ramzan, which has just begun; even if we are not doing it physically, let us be a part of it mentally, and join together to celebrate the love and unity of one global family. |
