I have always enjoyed learning about other religions and their traditions... If it speaks to me, I incorporate what I learn into my own practice in one form or another. And if nothing else, I learn about my brother's and sisters from around the world which assists me in having more understanding and compassion for others.
Ramadan starts this evening and as I understand it, this is what it's all about:
During the month of Ramadan, adult Muslims engage in ritual fasting from sunup to sundown. This practice, Sawm, is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires that individuals abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex. Each evening, Muslims will break the fast at sundown with Iftar, a traditional meal often beginning with the eating of dates -- an homage to a practice of Muhammad.
Ramadan starts this evening and as I understand it, this is what it's all about:
During the month of Ramadan, adult Muslims engage in ritual fasting from sunup to sundown. This practice, Sawm, is one of the five pillars of Islam, and requires that individuals abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex. Each evening, Muslims will break the fast at sundown with Iftar, a traditional meal often beginning with the eating of dates -- an homage to a practice of Muhammad.
Ramadan appears to be a little more meaningful...fasting as a means to forget the materialism and physicality of food, sex, drinking etc and focus on devotion and service to God and their communities. And the additional fast of purging ones self of anger, greed, cursing and impure thoughts...I would add self-limiting beliefs, negative self talk, gossip...this is a wonderful thing to do.
Just think, a holiday to purge oneself of impure thoughts and motivations...a time set aside to ponder how you can better yourself, practice devotion to your diety of choice and perform acts of kindness and service to those in your community less fortunate than yourself!!! Beautiful!!
Why not join in...in whatever way this speaks to you. Take your family to work in the soup kitchen...clean up your language...quit smoking or whatever bad habit you may engage in that is less than optimum for your body temple. Or think of something you could let go of if only for a day...junk food, gossiping, drinking, smoking, negative self talk...whatever it is...something will come to you...try it for a day...then another...then another...maybe for the entire month of Ramadan...who knows where you could be in a month or the good you could accomplish.
Just pick something...you may not be Muslim, but they've got something good going here, why not participate. We are ALL ONE and in being ONE, I've found that it is beneficial to embrace the positive traditions of other cultures...and if we don't feel like adopting other practices we can at least learn about them to increase our awareness and compassion. I learned something new about Muslims and I now have another area of connection and relatability. This knowledge assists in erasing stereotypes, judgements and hatred that exists in the world. This wisdom assists us in being one step closer to ONENESS with our fellow humans.
So in honor of Ramadan...I'm going to do my own fast tomorrow...Happy Ramadan, ALL!!
Nice Post on Ramadan Laurie, i wish you all the best for to you. :)
ReplyDeleteRamadan is best known for is its daily fasting. Muslims who are healthy and able refrain from food and drink from before the sun rises to just as the sun sets. That’s about 16 hours of fasting in one day,
Since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, it moves up about 10 days every year, compared to the more commonly used Gregorian calendar. back when Ramadan used to be in December and fasting days were about 10 hours. My stomach will reminisce about those days and my brain will wonder how I will last during these 16-hour fasts without eating or drinking. Saying no to water will be especially trying amidst the incessant heat waves. But I, and everyone who fasts with me, always make it through.
There’s a strong will in Ramadan — a determination and strength in believing that anything is possible.
At dawn during Ramadan, all eating and drinking stops until dusk, when Muslims get together for iftar, a meal to break the fast. It is said in Islamic tradition that feeding a fasting person gives the provider of the meal all the good deeds of the fasting person, without taking away from the faster. For this reason, many Muslims host iftar parties or send over meals to their Muslims neighbors to get their share of rewards.
Charity and other good acts are also emphasized during the month of Ramadan. Good deeds are believed to be rewarded multiple times more than in other months in the year, so Muslims scramble to do their best, whether it’s feeding the poor, donating their money or taking part in random acts of kindness.
All in all, Ramadan is a special time for Muslims where family, friends and faith take priority.
Thank-you so much for that information, Raahil...we ALL benefit by learning about people of different faiths, religions and cultures.
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