I didn't write this, it was found circulating, though in a slightly different form. I just thought it's good advice. - E
A Different Approach to Fasting...
Fasts have a tendency to be oriented toward things like giving up food or television. But there are many other creative ways we can welcome a healing touch. Here are suggestions you may want to consider.
1. Fast from anger and hatred. Give everybody an extra dose of love each day.
2. Fast from judging others. Get inspired by the best people you know.
3. Fast from discouragement. Trust in a higher plan for your life.
4. Fast from complaining. Recall the many good things in life.
5. Fast from resentment or bitterness! Work on forgiving those who may have hurt you.
6. Fast from spending too much money. Try to reduce your spending by ten percent and save up for a rainy day or a constructive project.
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Update:
"How do you stop yourself? I mean Honestly stop yourself from thinking about those who have cut your jugular?"
There's the rub. It's not so easy. But it can be done. It just takes a little knowledge, and time and training. I am making great headway with "A Course In Miracles". Now that's not an easy study, but there is help in the audio works of Ken Wapnick, and in a book named "The Disappearance of The Universe." Warmly recommended.
Good suggestions.
ReplyDeleteI've not fasted much lately, but since the price of fuel for my vehicles doubled, I simply cut my trips in half or more. My spouse has informed me that since petroleum prices doubled, our fuel bills have been reduced! Our quality of life is unchanged, we're just a little bit more mindful about how we randomly drive around.
I've long believed that I change the world by little things I do myself...no need to create a big scene.
Our quality of life is unchanged, we're just a little bit more mindful about how we randomly drive around.
ReplyDeleteAnon,
You make valid claims. I have a nice car, fuel and a job, but nowhere to go. Being alone is no great shakes. Be glad you have a spouse. You're fortunate.
Fasting is a good thing. God honors it. Even the warriors from old did it.
Does anybody hear the music playing on the radio when nobody is in the car?
levon, hmmmm, I think the music would be hearing itself. A good Zen koan.
ReplyDeleteInteresting fasting list. For me, it's the fear behind believing I need those things that I fast from. For example, last night at the party, gourmet food everywhere. They had a chocolate fountain to dip "chocolate chubbies" in (a kind of cookie.) Those cookies in my mind had all the power of the universe over me.
I took one, dipped it, and really enjoyed. I saw the mind fearing, needing more. One huge step for womankind, I walked away satisfied with one. Was that fasting?
choco-warrior,
Laurie
I believe forgiving and forgetting need to be two different things. I hate keeping any kind of grudge or resentment. But if somebody has hurt me, has no regrets, and would do it again at the first given chance, I'll remember not to give them the shadow of an opportunity.
ReplyDeleteThere's no usefulness in constantly thinking about bad people and fester in that negative feeling. But there's harm in being naive toward evil. I try to keep a healthy caution and nothing more.
From that list, I have a feeling I've learned a bit more in life than I sometimes give myself credit. These rules sound good, but also obvious to me.
Does this sound immodest?
I believe I'm not the only one on this blog to find some of it obvious. So no bragging intended. I'd SO love to be an average enlightened joe in an enlightened world!
I'd SO love to be an average enlightened joe in an enlightened world!
ReplyDeleteYou are an average joe in an average world Pascal. It's okay. You are just being you. Nuff said :)
I'd like to be an average enlightened Joe in an enlightened world, too. But it doesn't pay the bills. I am disappointed to find, that fasting from such things as competition, anger, judgment, self-congratulation, and even from self-discouragement and annoyance, all lead to the conundrum I'm in: too low a salary, and too high a work load, to be able to afford the effort or time to find a better job.
ReplyDeleteGotta go. Coffee needs to be made for other people who are better at competing and judging than I am.
You know, Final, people who work, are sick or travel are exonerated of the muslim fasting of Ramadan. Makes perfect sense to me, too.
ReplyDeleteLive first, fast second. Good luck in your life. Do stay in touch if you can, okay?
hmmmm, I think the music would be hearing itself.
ReplyDeleteHuh? WTF?
Live first, fast second. Good luck in your life. Do stay in touch if you can, okay?
ReplyDeleteThanks Pascal. I will :)
Take care.
"the music would be hearing itself."
ReplyDeleteanonymous, sorry, don't mean to be obscure. That's for people who have meditated.
Sometimes when I come upon a viewpoint that is totally outside my experience, I also say WTF? In Zen Buddhism, the place where the mind is suddenly stopped is said to be close to enlightenment.
Laurie
"In Zen Buddhism, the place where the mind is suddenly stopped is said to be close to enlightenment."
ReplyDeleteSounds very much to me like "It's always darkest just before dawn". ;-)
There's got to be a light switch somewhere along that wall. Must be close by, too. Now if only I could find it!!!
BTW, anybody have an aspirin? The body part housing my mind suddenly stopped against some very hard obstacle. (Ouchie!)
There's no usefulness in constantly thinking about bad people and fester in that negative feeling.
ReplyDeleteHow do you stop yourself? I mean Honestly stop yourself from thinking about those who have cut your jugular?
I try but it doesn't work Pascal from Lebanon. You must have an iron shield around your heart.
The crap you go through.....and being a physican with no female to love or hold?
Color me a Zombie. Walking dead man with no purpose. Sigh. I admire people like you because I'm not one of them. Though I wish I was.
There's got to be a light switch somewhere along that wall.
ReplyDeleteI've been looking for that same "light" for many years now, still can't locate it.
"How do you stop yourself? I mean Honestly stop yourself from thinking about those who have cut your jugular?"
ReplyDeleteThere's the rub. It's not so easy. But it can be done. It just takes a little knowledge, and time and training. I am making great headway with "A Course In Miracles". Now that's not an easy study, but there is help in the audio works of Ken Wapnick, and in a book named "The Disappearance of The Universe."
Walking dead man,
ReplyDeletePerhaps growing up in a country at war since the age of 4 helped me, in an ironic way. (There was also some racism and religious rigorism to complete the dish.) Hardships makes you grow up faster, mentally speaking. You're pushed into maturity earlier, I guess.
I'm a fanatic believer in optimism, after being a repented member of the depressive cult not very long ago. I dunno, perhaps I am a little special after all, even though I don't feel that way or wonder much about it. I just realize that apart from being deprived of a *normal* childhood, I've been pretty fortunate compared to many around me. Never been really abused, never gravely ill or wounded, no loved ones lost very early... I'm among the lucky ones. My glass is still half full. Is this unusual wisdom? I sure hope not, because the world really needs it.
You say you were almost killed. Well, this means that you're still very much alive. Newsflash, my friend: this is good news! Focus on it, instead of focusing on your past moment of fear or pain.
You think my heart has an iron shield? I wish!!! The only shield is myself. My attitude, my focus, my chosen perception.You can be like me. You just have to know and remember it is hard work, and takes time to achieve. Like juggling or walking on a tight rope. If you think I make this look easy, well, thank you very much for the compliment. It's not easy. But it's very much possible. Any dummy can do it. ;-)
"With no female to love or hold?" Well, I've been hurt before (hey, who hasn't?), so I prefer to play it slow and safe, and I keep faith that my day will come. A late marriage is better than a bad one!
I also focus on other types of love. My brother has two little kids who love me very much and visit daily. Children's love is absolute and unconditional, they hold nothing back, so it is very intense and uplifting. You become responsible of that avalanche of love suddenly bestowed upon you out of the blue... (Um, maybe it's more of a tidal wave? The Big Blue, and all?) You reciprocate without thinking.
I certainly don't mean you're guilty to think about those who have hurt you. In fact, for a good (or bad?) amount of time, you can't help it. Sometimes for years, or even decades. It's normal human reaction to trauma. What I "preach" is, don't "think hatred" toward them. Face the boogeyman, repel the ghostly shadows, keep your own light bright in the storm. Don't focus on wishing they too be hurt to serve them well, or that they suffer a lot, or be destroyed... Remember, people who hurt others are themselves weak, insecure, and greatly suffering from being empty of love. Tyrants and tormentors are deeply scared people inside, and try desperately to hide it by scaring others. (Very childish reaction, isn't it? Yes, they ARE immensely immature.) Their rightful punishment comes by itself, by nature, you needn't obsess with such things. They may not yet be aware of it, but some day they will see it : being evil and unloving brings its own punishment. They may think they're happy, when they are only pleasuring themselves. This eventual realization would perhaps be the fittest true form of Hell.
Let it go. Put it behind you and move on. Resentment hurts you. Bitterness festers inside. I've lived it. Your best revenge is to retain or rebuild the happiness they wanted to destroy in you. Get even by ultimately making their attempts a failure. It's sweet, it's legal, and it's religion-approved! :-)
As I've said before, holding no hating feelings and thoughts doesn't mean that you must view them as friends!!! This would be absurd, and dangerous. A bad person who hasn't changed, amended, repented, needs to be distrusted, avoided, and to protect yourself from them. Obviously. Just don't become resentful, or you'll see your own reflection in their darkness, you'll become like them. Fear and hate drag you to the dark side, where a wrong endured justifies doing bigger wrongs yourself. Holding on to that rock will make you drown when you should be flying.
Choosing forgiveness when you have the power of vengeance means great nobility and great courage. So I try my best to follow my own advice. I've come to realize, to see, with simply the testimony of time, that those who have hurt me are immensely sad. I often think : "And I was afraid of THAT?" As the years go by, all they can still inspire is pity. Take a few steps back, see the bigger picture: it's a very lonely life when the wolf is no longer useful to the pack...
It often puts me in a merciful and comforting mood. You can't hate someone you pity.
I wish I could help you and Twila Paris more than with these words. But we each have a journey in life that we can only travel by ourselves. I can merely point you in the right direction, finding the conscious understanting is up to you. As with riding a bike, in the end it is really you who teach yourself. Provided you stand up after every fall, no matter how painful. It is your knightly quest to find this and feel it inside you, to seek out and kill your own dragon, that lurks in a cave of your mind and disturbs the peace and prosperity of your kingdom. Nobody can fall in love in your place, and nobody can accomplish your quest. This IS your purpose!
How do you start with it? Well, you already have. Open up. I'm just a faceless guy very far away. Others are right near you. Share comfort, hope, love. Give and take. And live. Life is right around you. Don't rush it, one step at a time, at your own rhythm. If you have nothing else to live for, this is all you need anyway. You'll see, Life will come to you, and meet you halfway there.
Keep trying, fine sire. Even if it takes you your whole lifetime, it'll be worth it. And possibly, it'll take much shorter than that! I have faith that you can do it.
Best to you.
"How do you stop yourself? I mean Honestly stop yourself from thinking about those who have cut your jugular?"
ReplyDeleteThe method is thus:
First, acknowledge that you have the ability to decide your reaction to anything outside yourself.
Second, notice the payoff you get in different reactions to outside events. Listen to yourself. Do you feel elevated or down in keeping your attention in something or some person?
Third, rather than reacting spontaneously, decide consciously how you are to direct your attention, and how you are to react.
The key is to act based on what makes you feel good. This is your life. (Others are leading theirs their way, and you need not bother with that.) Choose your reaction accordingly.
Example: You will discover that it serves absolutely no useful purpose to attempt to in anyway "fix" or change other people. If you get some benefit or pleasure from the person, accept her as she is. Be helpful if she asks and you want to, but do not attempt to mold her to your "liking".
If you have no affection or interest towards the person, walk away. Same for organisations, events, things and ideas.
I have to admit, the "think of yourself first" advice is, much to my chagrin, something I have yet to learn. I am very good at martyring myself on the altar of serving others. There's a funny trick, in living a good and productive life, in which you have to learn to put yourself first, in order to be able to put others first. I don't quite get how to express it, but I am getting a little bit better, as time goes by, at actually doing it.
ReplyDeleteDo other people get what I'm getting at, or do you just not get it? I certain don't get what I just got, get it?
ttl said...
ReplyDeleteIf you get some benefit or pleasure from the person, accept her as she is. Be helpful if she asks and you want to, but do not
attempt to mold her to your "liking".
Pay close attention, people. This is a very simple and essential wisdom here, and you'll seldom meet them with such quality.
(Heartfelt applause.)
Just for that, I am AGAIN honored to kow you, TTL.
Such clear notions may very well change one's life completely. I hear it happened precisely that way to Abraham Lincoln. He
wasn't always the wise tolerant man we remember.
Final Identity,
I'm sorry man, but you just got me there. :-)
It makes perfect sense to me. When I bent to the whims of whoever demanded anything of me I was impotent, incapable of performing even the simplest of actions without someone else's go ahead. Yet, what they asked of me wasn't always for the best, and I knew it, and I had something better in mind, but I could never do it. If I had not doubted my competence to that degree I know there are many situations that would have gone much more smoothly in my life.
ReplyDeleteI have not become any less selfless through my focus on self. In fact, with courage and confidence has come a greater willingness to put myself on the line for others. And unlike before it doesn't feel like sacrifice. It comes so naturally, so freely, from an infinite source beyond my understanding. If that's the part of me that retains knowledge of what I really am then what I am is of the same nature; it can never be exhausted or harmed. Sacrifice is thereby impossible. It's just energy trading hands with another being of the same nature as I.
Now, not everyone is going to interpret their experience in the way I have, yet I feel they would arrive at a very similar place. When you don't deny your personal power you can change the world. People become small because they fear this. "Power is the enemy!" It's what we're taught from childhood onwards. And why not? The people that desire power oft seem mad. Yet this is because they are afraid. Fear is the common denominator. It is expressed as either a longing to deny one's power or to grasp hold of it and abuse it to the detriment of the masses. By this model we have every reason to be afraid, but without the fear the fear becomes purposeless.
We are not guilty, we are not small, we should not act as if we are. That's what keeps humanity at the mercy of itself. We will only see this when we dig inside and embrace true love, the kind that surpasses right and need and looks upon all as equal in the eyes of God. Yes, even the evildoers. They are troubled souls. Depending on the severity of their actions it may be unwise to leave them roam instead of putting them behind bars, but surely we can show them love and mercy regardless of what they've done. It may be due to a lack of it that they became so twisted in the first place. More anger, more hatred, certainly won't help.
Peaceful Blade said...
ReplyDelete"The people that desire power oft seem mad."
I think I've said this before : *power* doesn't corrupt. Power only reveals the tendancy of some to become corrupted.
Just like alcohol simply lifts inhibitions, it doesn't CREATE violence.
Nice, ever-peaceful people who become violent when drunk simply reveal that they have something hidden deep inside them, like a childhood trauma for instance.
I believe power wouldn't corrupt me. Why? Because relatively, I already have power. When I'm outside and notice an ant on the ground where I'm going, I'll try to avoid stepping on it. It's my nature. Even though that ant is nothing to me and will never know I spared it. It doesen't harm me, so I avoid willingly harming it, that's all.
"Why do it? Because I can." :-)
Now, a mosquito inside my bedroom, that's an entirely different story. I have the right to a peaceful, itchless and quiet sleep! No leniency for disease-carrying parasites that come LOOKING for trouble.
Remember this, I've verified it from repeated experience : when there's a wasp in the room, and you calmly open the window, it'll always prefer flying outside to liberty than stinging you. A whole swarm of them, when calm and unprovoked, is harmless. Those spectacular dares of people getting covered by bees are another similar example. Scorpions? Ditto. Rattlesnakes? They're scared of you because you're huge next to them. No mentally balanced animal will ever take a gratuitous risk for the sake of violence.
I love fasting from needless conflict. All year long. Live and let live. "Auuuummmm!..." (Zonked out gaze with a wide silly smile.)