LET'S ASCEND TOGETHER AGAIN (5th Annual Ramadan Fasting @ RFT)

[Conscious Midwife]

Please Join In:


The RAMADAN season of FASTING is swiftly approaching...
(August 11 until September 10)
http://www.islamicity.com/global/images/photo/Islam/fasting_bowl_sm__100x60.JPG
RAMADAN will serve as a time of awakening for some
and renewal for others.
Learning what it means to be hungry yields
increased compassion for the poor.
Acknowledging our dependence
upon food/ water, and the brevity of "life".
Control of urges and passions, refinement of charecter clarity of mind with an earnest focus on our DIVINE CREATOR

A tremendously wholistic approach for inner reflection, spiritual devotion, deepening, renewing, redefining of goals and self-control. Fasting is also beneficial for health and provides a break in the cycle of rigid habits or overindulgence.
http://www.zacharyart.com/images/yoga5.jpg


Additionally, your digestive system receives substantial rest and the psycho/spiritual/emotional attunement during this time has been like no other for me.
Talking about finding out what your really made of...



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

I'll include my personal goals for this season over the weekend.

[Aleesha Sattva]

Do you have to have a specific religious or belief system to join in? If not...

May I be with you on this fast?

namaste'
Aleesha

[rawmagic]

Hi LifeAGift,
that is a wonderful Ramadan message I must say..
I am Turkish and Muslim and everybody here is getting ready for the Ramadan.
If it is done right fasting in Ramadan is wonderful for the body and mind..




Do you have to have a specific religious or belief system to join in? If not...

May I be with you on this fast?

namaste'
Aleesha
Hi Aleesha,
Muslims practice it. But in my belief everyone can ask for Allah's or God's blessing. A short breif for you ; In the fasting you cannot eat,drink anything or have sex from sunset till dawn. Alcohol is forbidden also the pork is forbidden in Islam, since you are vegan no problem with pork..:)
After you break the fast in iftar time (see wikipedia), you can eat.

The main purpose is to connect with God, understand the hungry people and be a nice person - not even thinking bad in your thoughts -

Here is a detailed explanation;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramadan

[Azaria]

In the fasting you cannot eat,drink anything or have sex from sunset till dawn
I thought it was from dawn to sunset?

[Conscious Midwife]

Please join us Aleesha this season is open to everyone!


http://www.heartofmaui.com/Universal_Worship_Lotus_Banner_Blue.jpg

I'm not a practicing Muslim, my husband is but I appreciate the communal effect of fasting with him and others. The days are very long this time of year, because Ramadan is a migrating Holiday, the longest yet since I've been fasting with him so support will be oh so beneficial.

The daily period of fasting is from the breaking of DAWN until sunset. Some (usually muslims) will follow a specific timetable based up published by their local mosque that references their time zone. Others will keep it more organic and just follow the rising and setting of the sun as they see it.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tQtVPd7FlX4/SKjk9kuffoI/AAAAAAAACRg/AFgKKUXnUTQ/s400/papaya-clean-FD-lg.jpg (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tQtVPd7FlX4/SKjk9kuffoI/AAAAAAAACRg/AFgKKUXnUTQ/s400/papaya-clean-FD-lg.jpg)
You are what you eat!

[Aleesha Sattva]

okay but i'm fasting from dawn to dawn and dawn again. hope that's okay. no solids for this mama!

i'd LOVE to join you!!!

[Conscious Midwife]

Absolutely! Just do you and get in on the communal intention.

Glad to have ya!

[Aleesha Sattva]

i'm in!!! i'm in i'm in!!!

[Conscious Midwife]

Wooo hooo just four days of chowing down remaining and the fasting begins.. WEDNESDAY that is!

Defintely planning to work through my Chakras during this fast!
http://www.kacha-stones.com/images/chakrapic.jpg

[rawmagic]

I thought it was from dawn to sunset?
yes that is right. made mistake while writing sorry..:o


i'm in!!! i'm in i'm in!!!
Good for you Aleesha..:)
I will not be practicing this year due to some special reasons.:mad:




Wooo hooo just four days of chowing down remaining and the fasting begins.. WEDNESDAY that is!

Defintely planning to work through my Chakras during this fast!

good luck .. It will be a good time to concentrate..:)

[Ya-huu786]

hey,
im new to this forum.
it is my first year doing ramadan on a rawfood diet. do you have any tip or recipes that seems to work well for iftar. i am interested to see how its going different this year.
peace be with you all,
have a blessed month of ramadan.

[Lady G]

Interesting, I read the encyclopedia info, so after sunset you eat food. Are certain foods avoided? Do you drink as much as you want during day? I have not been able to fast 24, 7 this I might be able to do. I will reread your post again for the benifits. I am not of your faith. But very interesting.

[Conscious Midwife]

Interesting, I read the encyclopedia info, so after sunset you eat food. Are certain foods avoided? Do you drink as much as you want during day? I have not been able to fast 24, 7 this I might be able to do. I will reread your post again for the benifits. I am not of your faith. But very interesting.


We'll gladly have you I'm "not of my faith" either. Islam is actually my hubby's religious orientation of choice. I'm more of a free spirited solo practitioner of everrything that feels good and does no harm to others.

No drinking during the dayligh hours by the way!

Ya-huu786:
I'll get back with you on some tips and details but my predawn is usuallu some sort of green smoothies and a glass or two of water. Also a handful of notes to help sustain me. Iftar is jsut a banquet of raw goodness (that is when I am actually 100% RAW) but definately vegetarian (cheese:( is my downfall) and preferably vegan. With this being a RAW siote I will glaldly email you my families Iftar selections with my RAW Vegan adaptations.

Fasting is about more than food and drink, or life without, so much more!

Check back in soon...

[Conscious Midwife]

http://alianamirza.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/hr.jpg

[Conscious Midwife]

Smooches after sunset are quiet alright;)

[Aleesha Sattva]

August 11th is day 60 of my fast... so I'm happy to join you... let's do this!!! (((hugs)))

ohhhmmmm

[k8sl8]

August 11th is day 60 of my fast... so I'm happy to join you... let's do this!!! (((hugs)))

ohhhmmmm

Will you do the no drinking during the day? or are you going to only do the "mind" part of the process?

Very interesting for this upper midwest plains girl...

[Aleesha Sattva]

I've decided to not participate. Only drinking my juices after sunset and before dawn won't work for me. I won't get enough fluids in that way.

But I'll be here in spirit with you all.

love and light,
Aleesha

[Conscious Midwife]

http://www.thorntonfriends.org/images/Graphics/peace_3.jpg
Wow Aleesha I didn't realize you had been fasting so long this round already. Can't fathom the additonal aspect of this fast for you but join us in spirit anyway!:)

Funny thing: My predawn meal was the same as my fast breaking meal
Spinach, tomato, dulse etc and fruit juice

Lots of contemplating today plus a little busy doing work on the computer.
Also got in a bit of REIKI today, so needed due to sinus junk and horrific ear ache.

Hubby and I have some big decisions to make in the weeks to come so being in this very deliberate contemplative/ meditative place has been very reassuring that we will be in the frame of mind to do what's best.

Looking forward to being a unplugged and more spiritually intune in the days to come but I will continue to log in after sunset.

Had the works of F.S. Schinn on my mind today so I'll leave you with this:

"I deny fatigue, for there is nothing to tire me. I live in the Kingdom of eternal joy and absorbing interests. My body is "the body electric," timeless and tireless, birthless and deathless. "

[Aleesha Sattva]

http://www.thorntonfriends.org/images/Graphics/peace_3.jpg

wow... i love this!

[Conscious Midwife]

Hope the fasting is going wonderfully for all! I'm amazed by the ease of which I've been able to abstain theses past to days. Defiantely full of gratitude for this calm season of my life.





I am responsible for my own Spiritual Growth.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/2777806247_3e833937dd_t.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/phosphor-girl/2777806247/)

[Conscious Midwife]

Had a little edge on me while shopping in Whole Foods today. So many tempting foods but I perservered. Almost had a emotional melt down in the car, caught myself and explained to my kiddos that mommy needed a little quiet so I could gather the strength to make it through todays fasting.

guess what????

They understood:D

So I set driving and praying and pressing thru, by 5:30 we were gold fish shoppin and food thoughts had left my mind.


Got to 101degrees here today so around 7:45 I broke my fast with 32oz of delicious, wet, ice cold water... feeling relieved and blessed all at once.

I feel the heightening of my senses. I'm detoxing a little and healing form a summer cold. Loving this season and this freedom, also feeling compelled to be diligent about various sorts of fasting in the future.

http://www.universal-harmony.com/holy_spirit.jpg (http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTefNaL2ZMT1MAXr.jzbkF/SIG=1244ier2h/EXP=1281851610/**http%3a//www.universal-harmony.com/holy_spirit.jpg)

I'd love to hear from everyone else. How's it going?

[Aleesha Sattva]

Well I'm not doing it but I am here supporting you on your journey.

(((hugs))

[Conscious Midwife]

Well I'm not doing it but I am here supporting you on your journey.

(((hugs))


Thanks a bunch,

The extra beauty of not having a day relying upon meal prep and the what am I gonna consume next attitude is that I get to experience what feels like longer more fruitful interactions with others, enhanced focusing capacity and a sense of calm.

Have I had a cranky moment or two yeah, been tired of course but in the grand scheme remembering my source and leaning on something other than food for comfort or food to pass the time of day has been a beautiful reality. Saving $$$ too and such an easy way to bypass impulse SAD buys.

[Aleesha Sattva]

I hear you... I have the same experience with fasting. ;)

[Conscious Midwife]

broke todays fast with a cool water lavendar salt bath. such a state of gratitude and bliss i entered into with that level of relaxation

reevaluating my intentions resolved to go a little deeper

had a a sudden emotional break down today as I thought of my 2nd daughter leaving for college in a week... they grow up too fast, the time was too short and yet i know she's ready,
she's strong ,she's brave and she knows what she wants
http://ts4.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=214598223635&id=e7bacc215480394afa035812fa3d8890&url=http%3a%2f%2furegina.ca%2f%257Estarkc%2fsusan_ seddon_boulet_triple_goddess65.jpg (http://uregina.ca/~starkc/susan_seddon_boulet_triple_goddess65.jpg)

[Aleesha Sattva]

*sitting with you on the edge of a stream... feeling the water rush by our feet as we honour the space we are in*

[Conscious Midwife]

*sitting with you on the edge of a stream... feeling the water rush by our feet as we honour the space we are in*

I'm in a very good space today:)

Broke my fast a little early with avo, tomato and a peach.

feeling really good about my life...lovign my family, friends and the community I'm in

http://ts3.mm.bing.net/images/thumbnail.aspx?q=196496270030&id=7ff80a375b5734b74e304d29acda2a09&url=http%3a%2f%2fwww.trulylovable.com%2fmedia%2f25-love-is-the-magician.jpg

[Aleesha Sattva]

I'm in a releasing headspace with my fast... cleansing, releasing and making room for something new!

*fresh*

[Conscious Midwife]

I'm in a releasing headspace with my fast... cleansing, releasing and making room for something new!

*fresh*

Releasing is good

[Aleesha Sattva]

When we are full... there is no room for new. So releasing creates space.

Mama loves space!

[Conscious Midwife]

*meeting up with you by the stream doing sun salutations at the crack of done looking out into the expanse beyond the stars and surveying our future and noting it is good*

thx 4 being u on this journey

[Aleesha Sattva]

i love sitting with you... in the silence - feeling the weightlessness of the moment.

[Conscious Midwife]

WOW!

What a busy week, the good kind of busy where a lot gets accomplished:)

Sleepy tonight but JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.

Taking a fast break during my menses with a lite miday meal and water. Will start anew next week.

Fasting has been so ggod to me no cramp no hemorhagging

[Aleesha Sattva]

ah that's a nice side-effect eh?

blessed fasting my friend...

[Conscious Midwife]

Feeling the need to heal, cleanse and release.
O the beauty of the full moon
O the benefits of REIKI

[Conscious Midwife]

Hubby has been faring a lot better than me at this RAMADAN fasting season. We'll continue until the new moon and then celebrate.

I'm getting rested and experience lots of peace as I work through a myriad of emotions. Clearing and cleansing are so good for me!

NAMASTE

[Aleesha Sattva]

wow you are still doing this? i'm amazed. i can't imagine not eating during the day and then eating in the evening and early morning...

namaste' my friend... (((hugs)))

[Conscious Midwife]

The end is near. Thursday will be the alst day of fasting and EID will be celebrated around the world on FRiday1

Thanks all for peeking in. thank you aleesha for your encouraging post.

[Aleesha Sattva]

wow, what a huge achievement. i'm blown away. i honestly can't imagine not consuming anything during the light hours of the day and only consuming during the darkness.

congrats!!!

[Conscious Midwife]

Join us in the ramadan 2011 thread