The Sweetness of Fasting
Another strong day. Doing my wellness practices daily: Green Light Meditation, Pranayama, Skin Brushing, VAKS, walking, exercising, etc. Also jumped in the lake after morning practice - the air was cold, the wind was strong and I jumped in expecting cold water, but it was warmer than the air! So much for expectant mind!
Fasting is one of the best practices to break through expectant mind. It is a journey into the unknown wilderness. Feeling all the realms more acutely...Spirit is clearer and stronger and prayers go out to all beings. True wellness opens up True Nature.
Here is a poem by Rumi written over 750 years ago about fasting...
Fasting
There is a hidden sweetness in the stomach's emptiness
We are lutes, no more, no less. If the soundbox
is stuffed full of anything, no music comes.
But if brain and belly are burning clean
with fasting, every moment a new song
comes out of the fire.
The fog clears and new energy
makes you run up the steps in front of you.
Be emptier, and cry like reed instruments cry.
Emptier, write secrets with the reed pen.
When you are full of food and drink, an ugly metal
statue sits where your spirit should. When you fast,
good habits gather like friends who want to help.
Fasting is Solomon's ring. Don't give it
to some illusion and lose your power, but even if you have,
if you have lost all will and control,
they come back when you fast, like soldiers appearing
out of ground, pennants flying above them.
A table descends to your tents, Jesus' table.
Expect to see it when you fast, this table spread
with other food, better than the broth of cabbages.
Anyone interested in connecting with me, please e-mail me at pw@peaceweavers.com, to my attention.
In Deep Devotion,
Greg Lynn
