RAMADAN 2007 : Let's Ascend Together, Again!!!

[Conscious Midwife]

http://jamalcards.com/greetings/resource/picture/Ramadan/0a9360fda1.jpg


Ramadan begins at sunset September 12, 2007
and ends on October 11, 2007 for North America (and all parts of the Western hemisphere).

BENEFITS INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

tranquility
improved immune function
increased cognitive reasoning
unification of humanity
lowered cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure
cellular developement
rejuvenation
discipline and patience
enhanced virtues
mindfulness
peaceful sleep
spiritual ascent
recognition of the DIVINE within

[Conscious Midwife]

http://www.poster.net/red-eyed-frog/red-eyed-frog-red-eyed-frog-5000007.jpg

WHERE ARE YOU FOLKS ?!?!?!?!?

[Pommy]

Out of here ! :D

BYE!!

[2 husky girl]

Yes, it's just around the corner! Really looking forward to this year, it will be my first year being raw! I feel it will the best one yet!

[jeannieh99]

I'm jumping on this bandwagon!! I'm always up for a "healthy" challenge.
I know I've done badly more than I care to admit so this will be a great chance to turn the tables and get on the right path to health.
Jeannie :-)

[Conscious Midwife]

WELCOME
jeannieh99 and 2 husky girl


Glad you two are joining in.
The beauty of fasting is that you don't have to be particularly religious to experience the healing benefits.
I believe that thru prayer and meditation ever experience including our very existence is heightened.


}*~MaBrOoK~*{

[JennaBoBenna]

I'm in!! I have it circled on my calendar!

I'm really excited, hopefully without worrying about food all of the time I'll have time to actually study :o :p
I have the resources and motivation for doing it this year. I know I'll be able to do it :)

[Conscious Midwife]

I'm in!! I have it circled on my calendar!

I'm really excited, hopefully without worrying about food all of the time I'll have time to actually study :o :p
I have the resources and motivation for doing it this year. I know I'll be able to do it :)



I know you can do it too JennaBoBenna, because you said so and your words will be fulfilled
http://www.arabicfonts.com/images/deco_images/mosaicc.jpg

[Conscious Midwife]

THE NEW SEPTEMBER RAW CHALLENGE PLUS FASTING. WHAT AN AWESOME COMBO:)

[Conscious Midwife]

http://www.creator-creation.com/soul2.jpg


In this context, it would be instructive to look at the significance of fasting in all faiths. Fasting may assume different forms across different belief systems but is an integral feature of humanity's common spiritual heritage.

We must ask ourselves why God wants us to abstain from food and drink. Obviously, as the all-loving creator, He would derive no pleasure from the mere act of making his creatures endure hunger and thirst for a specified period. We may as well go a little further and ask ourselves why we have spiritual laws at all.

Human beings have a two-fold nature - material and spiritual. The material nature of man corresponds to the material world, which is governed by certain laws. For his well being, man must obey these laws. For example, if a person walks off a cliff, he will put himself to great harm; if he neglects to regularly feed his body with the required nutrients he will imperil his existence; or if he comes in the way of a fast-moving object he could be fatally knocked down. Therefore, the consequences of disobeying the laws of material existence could be serious.




Similarly, man has a spiritual nature, a soul which corresponds to the spiritual order of God. These laws are to be found in the world's major religions. Their purpose is to help man avoid behaviour that is hazardous to his spiritual health, and to develop virtues instead. The observance of these spiritual laws contribute to man's material well being.

Spiritual laws are "the highest means for the maintenance of order in the world and the security of its peoples".

Fasting "is essentially a period of meditation and prayer, of spiritual recuperation during which the believer must strive to make the necessary readjustments to his inner life, and to refresh and reinvigorate the spiritual forces latent in his soul''.




The law of fasting is predicated on the belief that the human soul is a power-house of spiritual forces which are in a latent condition. For them to be fully expressed, they need to be periodically "refreshed and reinvigorated''. To resort to a mundane metaphor, fasting is an annual servicing of the soul.





Prayer, meditation, deep introspection of one's "inner life'' and the will to make the necessary readjustments are the means by which this "spiritual recuperation'' would occur. What about the abstention from food and drink?


In other words, merely not eating or drinking can do nothing to rejuvenate the soul. We merely need to control our basal appetites and clear the way for undistracted inner development.


Fasting is meant to enhance self-control and awareness of one's spiritual dimension. It channelises the thoughts and energies of all individuals towards these ends, quite irrespective of their religion.


http://www.creator-creation.com/soul2.jpg

[cashewy]

As I did some some juice fasting at the end of last month it occured to me that the right thing to do at this time is a liquid fast for thirty days...and now of course spontaneously I am learning about Ramadan....could you please give me any basic information about how it is traditionally honored....ready to ascend, cashewy

[StarFire]

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g237/jbellaz/90fbb6c28d.jpg

AlooooHA!!! I WANNA ASCEND TOO!!

So how do I play :D ? Are we fasting? Along with prayer, meditation etc...?? from September 12th thru October 11th ?

ommmmm..... I'm in .... http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/2666.gif .... !!!! ;)

[cashewy]

you got me smiling starfire....from what I know, the fasting is from sunrise to sundown. Typically, people have an evening meal. I will probably do all liquids....as much of the month as possible. I have just enrolled to give service at a 10 vipassana sit from the 26th to the 7th so that will be beautiful...cooking for all of the meditators and getting to sit a few hours a day!

From what I understand, during the daylight hours, the fast is a no food and no liquid fast...I understand this to be water too....but I'm not sure...good thing we get up at 4am!

[StarFire]

wow.... no water tooo http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/fanit.gif ?? thanks for responding cashewy! It's a very beautiful thing you will be doing to give to the meditators.... to serve them with pure love is a blessing indeed!

I was just blessed with a beautiful CD with the moolamantra on it. I think I will play this at sunrise ~ and I will meditate facing the ocean!!! cool... I'm excited!!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/i109289961_32836_2.gif

[Conscious Midwife]

"Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation."


http://www.islamcan.com/postcard/pictures/ramadan5.jpg


The Meaning of Ramadan

Ramadan is a special month of the year for over one billion Muslims throughout the world. It is a time for inner reflection, devotion to God, and self-control. Muslims think of it as a kind of tune-up for their spiritual lives. There are as many meanings of Ramadan as there are Muslims.
The third "pillar" or religious obligation of Islam (submission in English), fasting has many special benefits. Among these, the most important is that it is a means of learning self-control. Due to the lack of preoccupation with the satisfaction of bodily appetites during the daylight hours of fasting, a measure of ascendancy is given to one's spiritual nature, which becomes a means of coming closer to God. Ramadan is also a time of intensive worship, reading of the Quran, giving charity, purifying one's behavior, and doing good deeds. For Muslims (Submitters), Ramadan is an opportunity to gain by giving up, to prosper by going without and to grow stronger by enduring weakness.
As a secondary goal, fasting is a way of experiencing hunger and developing sympathy for the less fortunate, and learning to thankfulness and appreciation for all of God's bounties. Fasting is also beneficial to the health (http://www.submission.org/ramadan-health.html) and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence


http://www.religionen-in-hannover.de/islam/ramadan16.gif



From Dawn to Sunset
The daily period of fasting starts at the breaking of dawn and ends at the setting of the sun. In between -- that is, during the dawn and daylight hours -- Muslims (Submitters) totally abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sex. The usual practice is to have a pre-fast meal (suhoor) before dawn and a post-fast meal (iftar) after sunset.
The Islamic lunar calendar, being 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, migrates throughout the seasons. Thus, if Ramadan begins on January 20 one year, next year it will begin on January 9. In this way, the length of the day, and thus the fasting period, varies in length from place to place over the years. Every Muslim, no matter where he or she lives, will see an average Ramadan day of the approximately 13.5 hours.

[Conscious Midwife]

AlooooHA!!! I WANNA ASCEND TOO!!

So how do I play :D ? Are we fasting? Along with prayer, meditation etc...?? from September 12th thru October 11th ?

ommmmm..... I'm in .... http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/2666.gif .... !!!! ;)


http://www.ezsoftech.com/ramadan/i/muslimbaby.jpg
Prayer
Meditation
Contemplation
Reflection
all the above and more

this period of abstension can be as spiritual or as
non spiritual as you want it to be


there's nothing enigmatic about the spirtual component of fasting
it's a practice, a discipline and a way of venerating the universal divine

[moorsie32]

I am new to fasting and may require some water intake but I am going to give it a try. I am inspired that so many individuals are willing to put wordly things in their appropriate place and spend some time focusing on growth and self control. You guys are awesome and I hope I can hang in there with you!

[Conscious Midwife]

http://www.objectarchitects.de/ObjectArchitects/papers/WhitePapers/fasting.jpg

[cashewy]

did my ex-boyfriend write this?????:D

[Conscious Midwife]

Looks like the fasting will begin at dawn on Thursday 9/13 (in North America), breaking the fast at Sunset.

For those desiring to use precise times based upon your city and country
go to http://www.islamicfinder.org/world.php

[JennaBoBenna]

Hey all, I'm super excited! I'm going to fully clean my room and do yoga in the mornings to help my balance! I also ordered some Nature's First Food from rawfood.com to keep me going throughout the day. (Hopefully it will arrive by Thursday! :) )

Today I was at an Art and Wine Festival and there was a little table set up with lots of pamphlets about Islam!!!! I grabbed all of 'em and a copy of the Qur'an! How perfect! :)

[Conscious Midwife]

Today I was at an Art and Wine Festival and there was a little table set up with lots of pamphlets about Islam!!!! I grabbed all of 'em and a copy of the Qur'an! How perfect! :)

kewl:cool:
The koran is an interesting read, ENJOY!

[cruda]

I'm more than ready. I love ramadan. I have great memories from back home. Here, it is kind of lonely doing it, only moi!!!but it is Ok. I always enjoy it.
well peace to everybody!!!!:D

[cashewy]

thanks for the link, lifeagift. So, I'm ready to participate but I have to say I'm a little nervous. My body isn't necessarily calling for a fast right now. but I know the long run intentionality and experience will be well worth it.

I just think I am going to need to lean a shoulder here now and then.

ascending spirit, cashewy

[Conscious Midwife]

http://www.islamicity.com/global/images/photo/IC-Articles/Ramadan-challenge__300x200.JPG

http://http://www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=UT0709-3357

[Conscious Midwife]

thanks for the link, lifeagift. So, I'm ready to participate but I have to say I'm a little nervous. My body isn't necessarily calling for a fast right now. but I know the long run intentionality and experience will be well worth it.

I just think I am going to need to lean a shoulder here now and then.

ascending spirit, cashewy


I'll check into this thread 2x per day to provide a shoulder.
My 'puter time will be minimal, but support I can offer.:)

[Conscious Midwife]

Which means tommorow is the first day of fasting.

Abstain from liquids and food intake from dawn to sunset. Please note that dawn is earlier than sunrise, a bit earlier:eek: .

In the past hubby and I would rise to eat( fruit usually) and drink several ounces of room temp water. Then we would pray and go back to sleep. Upon our next rising we jusget up and get ready for our day. Allowing all physical urges for food or drink to be filled with spiritual sustenance through prayer, reflection, meditation and good deeds.

ENJOY!!!

Oh you might want to write out a reflection/ prayer list for those charecter attributes you'd like to develope during this time or manifestations within yourself that you would like to focus on. Not a requirement though. Just and idea for putting something before your eyes to remind your heart!!!;)

[JennaBoBenna]

Abstain from liquids and food intake from dawn to sunset. Please note that dawn is earlier than sunrise, a bit earlier:eek: .



I'm glad you said that! I was a bit confused as to when sunrise/dawn really is. Because it gets brighter outside before the actualy sun rises. So, just no food/drinks when it is bright outside...got it! :)

[cashewy]

Hi, ok life a lift, so I think I have decided to do this in a modified version...only in terms of the schedule. I am going to to do two meals a day one in early morning between 6-8 am and one in the late evening between 7-9 pm for right now I just have to much work to do to set the sunrise/sunset into law

I also have my first competitive athletic competition scheduled for Oct 13th and I am working out sometimes 3 hours per day. If I don't get some nourishment in within the hour after I work out it hurts me (and my team) I can schedule the work outs early and late but not that early!!!

I know that there is huge benefit from stopping the constant intake of food all day and right now I am on my 4th day of 100%, so look forward to learning portion control.....cashewy here!!.......and acceptance and gratitude for the nourishment I have!

Your post was so sweet! It was very touching to me to feel that support. Right back at you! I wish you the best experience in your next 30 days of reverence. xox cashewy :p

[StarFire]

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/34a03ad3.jpg I'm checking in... work schedule is quite intense - but I just wanted to send everyone blessed light... http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/c20ch4.gif

[Conscious Midwife]

http://jamalcards.com/greetings/resource/picture/Ramadan/1aa5ac87e1.jpg

[cashewy]

also checking in.....beautiful irony that I woke in a natural fast today after all of that goofy fear yesterday....open to all possibilities and love to both of you positive beams:p

[moorsie32]

feeling pretty good so far! A little irritable perhaps, but overall not too bad!

[Conscious Midwife]

Fasting went well.

Raw not so well.

Entered a very dreamys tate thsi afternoon, it felt gooooood!

The urge to eat hit hard when kiddos were agitating each other and giving me a little stress, and when I got stuck in a little traffic.

Broke my fast with veggies and lots of water, won't mention th non raw unmentionable, I'm ok with that, todays goal wast TO FAST and feel spiritual good. I thank the DIVEINE that the goal was achieved,

[Conscious Midwife]

http://www.zacharyart.com/images/yoga5.jpg
I hope your journey is going well!!!

[Conscious Midwife]

HOW'S THE ASCENSION FOLKS????

[Conscious Midwife]

Hello, is anyone out there????:o

[moorsie32]

Well the experience has been wonderful so far. I have been truly shocked to learn how little of my past hunger has been a false alarm. It appears that I may need far less food (and far more sunlight) than I was getting before. Besides a little overeating at the evening meal my mind and body are responding well to the ride! Good luck everyone, I hope all are enjoying the experience!

[Conscious Midwife]

Glad to hear from you moorsie32!
MABROOK!!!

what amazes me is how much I get to "feel" when fasting instead of eating and masking

[moorsie32]

well Life that hunger is really coming after me today! I am trying to stay focuse and hoping the afternoon brings some peace to my abdomen. Hope you are doing well!

[Conscious Midwife]

Pressing On!!!:d

[jeannieh99]

I hope everyone is doing well with their fast. I've been busy and have not been on here much.I love this month!
I'd enjoy hearing about other's experiences with their fasting. :-)
Jeannie

[moorsie32]

This is just wonderful, I have never felt so in control of my appetite. This morning I was not nervous or concerned about the hunger that was sure to present itself this afternoon. I felt as though I was totally comfortable experiencing mild discomfort! I am very thankful today.

[Conscious Midwife]

As a part of my fasting I've focused more on the eternal me which has left me little time for the external cyber me...thus minimal 'puter usage.

Glad to check in and touch base today!

More than 1/2 way there folks.

What's been really lovely for me are the wonderful evening dinners we've had with friends as we break our fast.

Might plan another "break fast" get together for next week.:)

[rainbowgirl]

Fasting is doing good.....raw is pretty good.

I'm committing to the oct challenge and getting done with these stupid minor but not so minor infractions.

Encourage me!!!!


Rainbow Girl

[Conscious Midwife]

COngrats to all on your success.

Fasting for Ramadan was official over in North America this past Friday.

So much was gained...

Hopefully the season was fruitful for everyone.

SALAM(PEACE)

[Conscious Midwife]

Join us in the RAMADAN 2011 thread