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Year Four, Day 176: Fasting and A Brilliant Light

I reached a different level with my fasting yesterday. Not higher. Different.

It took on a spiritual aspect. This has not been lost to me during this journey. When I first dabbled with fasting, actually as a teenager, I thought about it's ancient roots. And again, when I began intermittent fasting as a weight loss tool, I told myself I could use the time that I normally eat, to devote myself to prayer, study and meditation.

Mostly I devoted myself to trying to ignore my hunger pangs and thinking about my next meal.

Not so yesterday. I had this moment in the late afternoon/early evening when I felt surrounded by brilliant light. My mind felt clear. My vision seemed more acute. I pulled out some devotional books and my bible and started reading. I got goosebumps. I said some prayers. I joined some prayer groups online. 

It was amazing. I wanted it to last!

But alas, this morning I'm feeling a little groggy. It was breakfast with my mother day. I broke my fast much earlier than normal. I ate at 7:00 a.m. instead of 10:30 a.m. I had a lovely Swiss cheese and onion omelette, home fries, sourdough toast and coffee.

I didn't crash as hard as I did last time. But I feel foggy. The beauty of my fasting way of life, is that I don't regret breakfast with my mother. It's tradition. Important to both of us. Today she confided in me that our time together is one of the high points of her week. It made me smile.

I am not adjusting my fast. I will still begin fasting at 2:30 p.m. And then wait to eat until 10:30 or 11:00 a.m. tomorrow.

I did a quick Google about fasting and prayer and discovered a lovely post on Guideposts.org of which I quote:



"Fasting is one of the most common—and one of the most misunderstood—spiritual practices outlined in the Bible. Reverend Masud Ibn Syedullah, an Episcopalian Priest, talked to Guideposts.org about the significance of fasting and why it is such an important spiritual practice. Many people see fasting as something to use for dieting purpose or only to be done during Lent. Syedullah, on the other hand, sees fasting as something much biggerthan a diet or seasonal devotion.   “Fasting is an intensification of the intention of prayer,” Syedullah said. “There's a tradition within the Christian faith that when one wants to highly focus on a particular issue or to present a particular issue before God, that one does that with focused prayer, especially with fasting.” Syedullah sees fasting and prayer as intricately related. “When one is deliberately going without food, you’re not just passively praying, you’re saying that this is something of importance,” he said. However, Syedullah is quick to point out that the primary focus of fasting is not making something happen. “Some people look upon both prayer and fasting in kind of magical ways,” Syedullah said. “They look upon it as a way to manipulate God.” The real secret to fasting, Syedullah said, is that it’s much more about changing us than changing God." 
I must head out to teach  now.  But I wish you a most brilliant day!
Talk to you tomorrow!
Love,

Zita

An overcast day, looking at Portland from the 5th floor of the Ft Vancouver Library


Day 118 of Qi Gong/Hooping!


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