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The Baha’i Fast Begins - 19 Days Without Food or Water

Posted on March 2nd, 2007 by JonathanLIVE.
Categories: Faith.

From sunrise to sunset for the next 19 days I will not be taking any food or water. I have been doing this since I was 15 years old. I must say, it is often my most favorite part of the year. I am not entirely certain why though. I gain some benefits during the fast.

• I gain a LOT more time in my day. When you stop taking any form of food or drink through out the day, you become very aware of just how much time we normally spend on it. Often it is not just act of eating and drinking, but the through that is expended into it that takes more time. “I’m feeling hungry, what should I eat? Oh I could have this! Errrr maybe I feel like that…” Eventually you get around the preparing whatever it is you want, and then you eat. It really does take a good chunk out of your day. Perhaps not for people who have 45 minute lunches, but for me it does
• I find myself more energized in terms of my attitude. I think this comes from the simple fact that I am doing something that I know is right by God’s Law out of love. Often times when it comes to the Laws many of them are subjective, or ongoing. It is difficult to pin point a specific activity to which you can attribute true obedience to the Law of God. The Fast is different. Doing it out of love, I know I am in obedience to it, and therefore, I guess it gives me an overall sense of accomplishment / satisfaction. Just think about how you like doing something you know will make someone you love happy. Same deal.

So I guess the natural question to the reader is, just what is involved in this Baha’i Fast? Well, above I stated the basics. However, I always get a TON of ‘what if’ questions when ever people learn what I am doing. It is also very interesting to see the reactions people have to it. It is often very obvious to me that most people have never in their lives observed obedience to anything out of love for something that causes them any form of minor discomfort. “OMG, that is crazy, no way would I ever do that… anybody who has to do that for a religion is just insane.” When I get this I can’t say much to it really, because they are not interested in understanding it, they only wished to judge it without knowing. 

To others it is like watching a sporting event. They will see how I react to things around me, or when the are eating and drinking in front of me. Some feel as though they need to accomidate me and not eat and drink when I am around. :) Pretty funny really. If I was that weak of mind and spirit, then I should not be fasting in the first place. ;) 

The Fast is something which is done out of love. The Laws which are set down by God are not something which are designed to limit us, but to free us from the limitations of this world. Within the very first passages of the Book of Laws this is revealed:

Think not that We have revealed unto you a mere code of laws. Nay, rather, We have unsealed the choice Wine with the fingers of might and power. To this beareth witness that which the Pen of Revelation hath revealed. Meditate upon this, O men of insight!

 (Baha’u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 20)

I have meditated on this as stated. Essentially He says that the laws are not just a code by which to live, but a way in which to live the BEST you possibly can. Using the words ‘choice Wine’ certainly illustrates the point. There are other passages as well in regards to Fasting that emphasize that it must be done out of a love for the law.

Shouldst Thou regard him who hath broken the fast as one who hath observed it, such a man would be reckoned among them who from eternity had been keeping the fast. And shouldst Thou decree that he who hath observed the fast hath broken it, that person would be numbered with such as have caused the Robe of Thy Revelation to be stained with dust, and been  68  far removed from the crystal waters of this living Fountain.

 (Baha’u'llah, Prayers and Meditations by Baha’u'llah, p. 67)

So really what it comes down to is your attitude towards the Fast to determine how you will observe it. Mind you, the Fast is only to be observed if you are healthy. In the following passage it is said:

In truth, I say that obligatory prayer and fasting occupy an exalted station in the sight of God. It is, however, in a state of health that their virtue can be realized. In time of ill-health it is not permissible to observe these obligations; such hath been the bidding of the Lord, exalted be His glory, at all times. Blessed be such men and women as pay heed, and observe His precepts. All praise be unto God, He who hath sent down the verses and is the Revealer of undoubted proofs!

 (Baha’u'llah, The Kitab-i-Aqdas, p. 134)

As you can see, you are not permited to fast if you are not healthy. The same applies in some circumstances such a travel and for pregnant women. The Fast is a symbol really. A renewing of your priorities and your relationship with God right before the coming New Year in the Baha’i Calendar. This passage really explains it well:

Fasting is a symbol. Fasting signifies abstinence from lust. Physical fasting is a symbol of that abstinence, and is a reminder; that is, just as a person abstains from physical appetites, he is to abstain from self-appetites and self-desires. But mere abstention from food has no effect on the spirit. It is only a symbol, a reminder. Otherwise it is of no importance. Fasting for this purpose does not mean entire abstinence from food. The golden rule as to food is, do not take too much or too little. Moderation is necessary. There is a sect in India who practice extreme abstinence, and gradually reduce their food until they exist on almost nothing. But their intelligence suffers. A man is not fit to do service for God with brain or body if he is weakened by lack of food. He cannot see clearly.

 (Dr. J.E. Esslemont, Baha’u'llah and the New Era, p. 184)

So this will be me for the next 19 days. No food and no drink and loving every minute of it. A daily reminder of what is really important in life.

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