Fasting - different rituals, same meaning

Different religions have different rituals. The Christians just finished a 40-day fast. Hindus starting today for 8, 9 days. For Muslime Ramadan started yesterday and last for 29, 30 days.

Spiritual people also fast. 

All have different meanings. But no, wait... actually - it's all for the same reason in a way.

It's to be closer connected, a time of reflection, community.

The spiritual rewards of fasting are believed to be multiplied during fasting. 

Whether you follow a religion or you are spiritual. Refraining for some time pleasures like food, tobacco, alcohol, gambling, Netflix binge watching, social media or whatever comes for you under pleasure, is indeed rewarding.

Rewarding in terms of calming your mind down, differentiate between important, unimportant, being in the present moment, deepening the body and mind connection, cleansing, feeling more and thinking less for some time. Even intermittent fasting counts for what I am saying here.

I had a colleague once during my studies of health and fitness. He became also a dear friend and workout buddy to me. He was a Muslim and as Ramadan started he prepared for it. I asked him why he is fasting. He replied: "it's the time to think of others, who don't have at all or not enough food, to feel their hunger; it's the time to introspect and be there for others. It also helps you to become stronger- to discipline yourself."

That answered blowed me away. And I realized that we all want and need the same - but we give it different names, different descriptions and thus, many can't see the bigger picture.

Fasting is to give up something for some time, to become more aware, allow gratitude in our lives, becoming more compassionate and loving towards ourselves And others, and it's about togetherness!

Jasmin Waldmann

Stay connected with us on our WhatsApp group