Ramadan fasting and other similar traditions

[Raev]

I know we have some spiritual people on DGN. I like to count myself as one. While I am not Muslim, I participate in a variation of Ramadan myself. I do it more as a period of meditation and reflection than anything...because as I said, I'm not Muslim. I just see value in purifying mind body and soul, while taking time to reflect on life and push myself to be a better person.

The fasting is between sunup and sundown, no eating/drinking or sexual pleasures. I am sober and don't smoke so that has no effect on me but generally those are avoided as well.

Anyone else participate in anything like this? Have your own traditions?

The most prominent event of this month is fasting. Every day during the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world get up before dawn to eat Sahur, the pre-dawn meal, then they perform the fajr prayer. They have to stop eating and drinking before the call for prayer starts until the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib. Muslims may continue to eat and drink after the sun has set until the next morning's fajr prayer call. Then the process starts all over.

Ramadān is a time of reflecting and worshiping God. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual thoughts and activities during fasting hours are also forbidden.[Qur'an 2:187] Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised awareness of closeness to God.

The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control, sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity.

The elderly, the chronically ill, and the mentally ill are exempt from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. Also exempt are pregnant women, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns. A difference of opinion exists among Islamic scholars as to whether this last group must make up the days they miss at a later date, or feed poor people as a recompense for days missed. While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood, many children endeavor to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Lastly, those traveling are exempt, but must make up the days they miss.[Qur'an 2:184] More specifically, Twelver Shī‘ah define those who travel more than 14 miles in a day as exempt. The elderly or those who suffer from a disability or disease and have no prospect of getting better in the future can pay the cost of Iftar for a person who cannot afford it, or else they can host him in their house and have him eat with them after sunset as a way of repaying for the days they could not fast. [Qur'an 2:184]

[Rev.Reverence]

Oh, I do Lent.

Less as a prostration to the godhead that the Church perpetuates, & more because I know from my extensive Yoga studies that: 1 the yogic diet is better for the average human's operating parameters... 2 the yogic diet is NOT for Norse-types to undertake predominant (I fall down, go boom)...

The 40 days of lent seems to be about as long as my body can go on just fish, cheese & veggies...probably could go longer with larger quantities of fishes...but, that's expensive

In addition, year round, I refrain from eating COPIOUS amounts of meat on a regular basis.

Americans are renowned world wide for our ability to choke down bird or mammal meat at each meal, everyday, indefinitely...& our portions (each) are at least double..look into it, I am not speaking out of my ass...

Refrain from sex? HA! I did that once...it was lame.

(though, I could do it for a month, during the day) {but, I ain't even studying the Islam yet)

THIS YEAR...due to certain initiatory rights I am in the middle of, I've put away the meat carving knife for the season...

...it helps one to be less burdened by the body (veggies & fish break down far easier than meat & chicken, though, I HAD to leave the bird on the menu, Wife said so, I don't eat enough durring the Summer.) With the body free to sit, the mind may be free-er to concentrate on the mental aspects of re-ordering...I use Lent for this most every year (though, after my head injury, I took a year off of Lent, as, they were directly related){my cardinal lesson in moderation}

.....I can smell bacon in my near future! (yes, bacon is the hardest thing to do without.)

[Rev.Reverence]

Also...I don't eat a meal on the days I am performing Rituals in the morning/afternoon hours...& eat only a modest meal when I have an evening/night Ritual...feast is after church, in the OLD Traditions...

...even the same thing if I go to Roman, or Orthodox Mass; talk about a long winder, I went to an Installation of a Deacon (Orthodox), who was an old friend from the day...Junior even said, "THAT, was very long for Church!"