Fasting for Positive Attitude
Fasting is more than just depriving ourselves of food for a certain period of time. It’s a means to achieve something that we cannot achieve using any other means. While the goal of a fasting is usually focused on the faith and belief, it doesn’t mean we are not experiencing other benefits of fasting in our life. Fasting helps to keep both mind and body in a perfect state of health which necessary to develop a positive attitude in our thoughts and behavior. That is why fasting is commended by all religions including Islam.
The way one thinks determines whether the results are positive and beneficial or negative and harmful. It is the same of energy acting in different ways. Persistent inner work can change habits of thoughts. Fasting is a pure internal training that to put energy and time to avoid negative thinking and pursue positive thinking, in order to change our mental attitude.Apart from spiritual enlighten, is there any benefit to be gained from fasting in our daily life.
Almost every day in our lives, we face some kind of ill experience which is inescapable. Spiritually, fasting remind us of our relationship with God. God realization is not the only aim of the fasting. It offers other advantages. Fasting awaken positive vibrations in one self and in the environment.
Through fasting, a devotee begins contemplating; he repeats a word at the time of Iftar to memories the God and His mercy. In the same way, when a devotee performs fast whole day he reiterates divine qualities, these qualities take root in the heart, creating an awakening in the life. While the goal of a fasting is usually focused on the faith and belief, it doesn’t mean we are not experiencing other benefits of fasting in our life.
Fasting imparts a kind of joy and develops respite to the mind. In order to gain the most from fast, one must feel, “I am nothing, you are everything” and “we worship only to you, and we seek help only from you”. This is true spirit of fasting. Fasting brings a drastic change in the attitude and behavior. Only when inner wisdom downs will that attitude flowers fully, but one need not just wait until then, one can cultivate the right attitude and move ahead.
We should never forget that all our power comes from God only. God is the single source one who provides us power and energy. We are nothing without the blessing of Almighty. We totally dependent upon God willing, even our breath is not under our control. We must cultivate the attitude of being merely an instrument in His hands. We must strive to awaken noble qualities and positive vibrations through prayer. Love and devotion for God help people tread the path of righteousness. It is a practical way of maintain harmony in society.
Fasting that gives birth positive thoughts create a positive vibration; Fasting arising from negative thoughts creates negative vibration. The kind of vibrations the prayer radiates depends on the kind of thoughts of the person perusing. When one prays for the destruction of one’s enemy, one’s filled with thoughts of anger.
We must not perform prayers just for the sake of fulfilling our desires. At present, many consider prayer a means to fulfill their selfish desires. Instead, we must strive to awaken noble qualities and positive vibrations through prayer. Love and devotion for God help people tread the path of righteousness. It is a practical way of maintain harmony in society.
Fasting imparts peace and tranquility in the society. Thinking positive is a very important element of Islamic payer. A simple way to think of this is to imagine your mind to be like a garden, that garden can be spoilt and overrun by negative and destructive thoughts. Fasting bestows a divine happiness which can be enjoyed with such delight that once you take to it, you will be reluctant to leave the habit. A man who spends a few hours in absolute calmness after his first meal on breaking a fast has a feeling of enjoyment which can never be expressed. A man who genuinely practices fasting at regular intervals has clear-cut thoughts; dramatically he can be a gentle, polite and humble.
Dr. Meraj Ahmad Meraj
Assistant Professor
Department of Arabic, Aliah University, Kolkata