Laura Harley

As a Baha’i, I observe The Fast from March 2-20 of each year. In physical terms, that means I don’t eat or drink anything between sunrise and sunset on those days. In spiritual terms, it means something different to me each year. I’ve done this for many years now, but there is a mystery and a sacredness to this time that I know I will never fully understand. Each year a new mystery, new insights, and new challenges present themselves.

In my studies of the Baha’i Writings, I’ve found many purposes for fasting: to demonstrate love for God, to draw closer to God, to develop spiritual attributes, to renew one’s self spiritually, and to acquaint one’s self with the struggles that many people in the world must face on a daily basis. These Writings also say that there is a special spiritual potency in each moment of the fasting period. I definitely can feel that, especially in the many hours of prayer and meditation that come with this special time.

This morning when I rose before dawn, I ate a big breakfast and then sat in silence to read prayers and meditate. I posed a question to my spirit about what I should focus on or do during this special time this year. Immediately what came to me was that I should write lots of music. I am really excited to do this and see what happens!

Another special thing that is happening during this first part of the Fast, is that I’m receiving final mixes of the songs I recently recorded. I listen to them, suggest any final changes, and then they are done! Even though I didn’t plan it this way consciously, the timing of this feels somehow perfect and beautiful. Each new song is like a gift and a reminder of one of the ways I feel called to be of service in this world.

On a much less spiritual level, my stomach just growled and I have my eye on a double chocolate chip muffin that I plan to devour when the sun goes down! Eating after a day of fasting is so very satisfying. I need to go to the grocery store now—always a slightly dangerous thing to do when I am fasting. I often come home with many more things than I had on my list!  I’m also working on my taxes today—the jury is still out on how good a combo fasting and doing taxes is….we shall see.

This entry was posted on Sunday, March 2nd, 2008 at 6:07 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.