So day 5 of the Baha’i fast ends…..
I think the fast is a wonderful thing and like many things, I feel it is only understood properly by those who have the bounty to participate…..
What always amuses me is the ‘tried and tested’ things people begin their day with. A range of ’sure-shot’ methods to keep hunger pangs away, but I think the answer to controlling hunger lies in the mind.
Some of the friends tell me they what eat before sunrise. It includes:
Bread: brown or white, seeded, unseeded, rye organic gluten free soya encrusted with seeds of a magic elderberry tree, or without crust [my brother's preference]
Cereal especially muesli or shredded wheat types..
Porridge
Full English (Eggs, Toast, Baked Beans) [not advisable, plus baked beans cause extra problems other than 'fast' breath]
Fruit, usually Bananas
Tea- Green/White, English Breakfast or Earl Grey for those classy clientèle
Coffee (dehydrant-not a wise choice)
Water (2 glasses, but upto 6!)
Eggs-scrambled, fried, but never fertilised.
On the other hand, some of the things people break the fast with, after sunset, and usually after praying:
Big Mac
Pizza
Fried Chicken
Subway with EVERYTHING in it.
Indian food/Chinese food (but about 2 extra dishes than normal)
Nandos 1/2 Chicken plus 2 side orders (usually fries being one of them) and a ‘bottom less drink’
Kebab
Kabob
Potato Chips/Crisps
Salad
Figs
Nandos [again]
I think its very interesting that the morning starts off so well, but by the time its breaking the fast time, once the sun goes down, the werewolf comes out and we’re ready to devour any beast in our focus….. those who break the fast with a salad are certainly in the minority.
Sometimes we are so eager to eat we don’t let our food digest. Or we have many courses to satisfy our lustful appetites…but Baha’u'llah tells us that a one course meal is more pleasing in the sight of God!
” In all circumstances they should conduct themselves with moderation; if the meal be only one course this is more pleasing in the sight of God; however, according to their means, they should seek to have this single dish be of good quality.”(Bahá’u'lláh: Kitáb-i-Badi, Ibid-Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 294)
I wonder how many of us break the fast with a drink of water first? Baha’u'llah says in the Lawh-i-Tibb, the Tablet of Medicine, in a provisional translation:
“Begin first with liquid food before partaking of solid food. The taking of food before what you have (already eaten) is digested, is dangerous–avoid this.”
also:
“He who over-eats, his illness becomes more severe. “”When you begin to eat, begin with My Name El Abhá, and finish with the Name of God the Possessor of the Throne and the earth. When you have eaten walk a little that the food may settle. What is difficult to masticate is forbidden by the Wise. –Thus the Supreme Pen Commands you. “
All very interesting…. something to ponder next time we break the fast perhaps, or start it…….
Ronster signing out!
hmmm..I realised the other day that we in the southern hemisphere have it better than north, see our sunset and sunrise become closer as we fast, thereby giving the impression that the fast is easier. on another note, does gum come under the heading ‘difficult to masticate’?
Good question. Most of us don’t eat gum so we should be ok….
However steak or boiled sweets, might fall into this category….. you just end up swallowing big pieces whole without sufficiently breaking them up leading to poor digestion and other problems…
great blog Ronster… here are some of my favourite quotes about the Fast:
“These are the days of the Fast. Blessed is the one who through the heat generated by the Fast increaseth his love, and who, with joy and radiance, ariseth to perform worthy deeds.”
“Verily, I say, fasting is the supreme remedy and the most great healing for the disease of self and passion.”
“There are various stages and stations for the Fast and innumerable effects and benefits are concealed therein. Well is it with those who have attained unto them.”
…all from the Writings of Baha’u'llah, Founder of the Baha’i Faith