Re: The Baha'i Fast
- From: Suzanne <sb.gerstner@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 1 Mar 2010 23:30:41 -0800 (PST)
This is something I wrote one year for a Baha'i journal about the
fast:
"There is an Islamic tradition which states: `The are as many ways to
God as there are breaths.’ This is how I feel about the fast.
Fasting is a “way to God”, and each individual experiences it in his
or her own way. The way of the individual may also change from year
to year or even from moment to moment depending on the
circumstances.
I well remember my first fast as a new Baha’i. Nobody had even
thought to mention to me that Baha’is have a fast. The first I knew
of it was when, on departing from the Nineteen-Day Feast on the
evening before, one of the friends called out, “Good luck with
fasting!” When I found out what they were talking about I experienced
sensations of panic, dismay, dread, excitement and exhilaration in
rapid succession.
The next morning I was wide awake at 5:30 a.m. preparing for myself an
enormous breakfast. That was what I thought you had to do in those
days. Cram as much food as possible in during the hours when you were
allowed to eat, so that I wouldn’t starve in between
Fasting is learning to surrender one’s will to the will of God.
Eventually I learned that no special physical preparation was
necessary. What benefited me most was the spiritual nourishment I got
from the fast prayers. They are filled with all sorts of insights
into the deep spiritual benefits of fasting and they always make me
determined to succeed in my fast. One of my favorite lines is:
“These are Thy servants, O my Lord, who have entered with Thee in
this, the Most Great Prison, who have kept the fast within its walls
according to what Thou hadst commanded them in the Tablets of Thy
decree and the Books of Thy behest.”
(Baha'u'llah: Prayers and Meditations, Page: 145)
So by fasting it is as if we have accepted to enter into the Most
Great Prison with Baha’u’llah! What a glorious surrender of one’s
will to the will of the Beloved; and what incredible nearness that
involves.
Every year since that first year I have approached the fast in a
different way; each way reflecting different mental, emotional,
spiritual and physical states as well as work and family
circumstances. Some years I felt it was necessary to treat myself at
the end of each day with a nice dessert. I think there were years I
actually gained weight during the fast! Other years I concentrated on
eating smaller, more healthful meals to maintain health and stamina.
Some years I felt that it was important that I limit my outside
activities during the fast, and spend a great deal of time meditating
and communing with God. Other years I’ve felt it was better to go on
with my life as usual and make use of the spiritual energies which are
released in my interactions with other people.
From the very first year I was determined to follow this law to the
letter, and not let anything pass my lips during the fasting hours –
even if I was feeling tired or weak; or something important was
happening at the end of the day which I needed stamina for.
However one year I was ill, and, even though I knew I wasn’t required
to fast, I still tried. I knew I could do it. I could just refuse to
eat anything until the end of each day; as always. However, I became
weaker and weaker and felt more and more miserable. I was not a
“happy and radiant being.” I felt cranky and unhappy. I remembered
the line in the Naw Ruz prayer: “Shoudst Thou regard him who has
broken the fast as one who hath observed it, such a man would be
reckoned among them who from eternity had been keeping the fast. And
shouldst Thou decree that he who hath observed the fast hath broken
it, that person would be numbered with such as have caused the Robe of
Thy Revelation to be stained with dust…” I realized that my
particular test that year might not be in keeping the fast, but in
learning to break it when I was allowed to do so. I needed to trust
that God would understand and accept my sincere wish to fast, even if
it was not possible for me to do that completely on a physical level
at that time. My heart was still with the fast and fixed on God; and
I still refrained from eating and drinking much of the time; and I
still said the beautiful fast prayers. But at times I did eat and
drink something. I didn’t eat everything I might have. Just as much
as was needed for the sake of my health.
For some Baha’is fasting is an effortless affair. They hardly notice
it. For others it can be excruciatingly difficult and they really do
have to struggle with it, and they feel miserable during the entire
month; and for others it is just not possible due to their physical
condition. For those who cannot fast, the fast is an especially great
test. Sometimes they struggle with feelings of guilt and
unworthiness. Sometimes they feel alienated from those Baha’is who
can fast so effortlessly and say so. I believe that God has specially
tender feelings of loving acceptance for those who struggle in this
way, and they are the ones which receive the greatest benefits from
the fast.
Nobody knows whether their fast will be accepted by God; but I believe
that it will be if it is motivated by the will to show one’s love and
obedience to God, wherever one happens to be on their paths, and
whatever conditions they might be facing that year."
Suzanne
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