fasting

Selamun aleykum!After reading lesson one regarding the ethics of fasting and reading a lesson I found on the Internet by Bawa Muhaiyaddeen regarding the meaning of the fast, I thought I'd better spend a day experiencing the feeling and power of the fast. That day was yesterday. There was a feeling of clarity in understanding the purpose of fasting which I don't think I appreciated before...a feeling of peace and tranquility and relaxing of tension. There was certainly an understanding of hunger and some small appreciation and comprehension of what this meant to others who went without food not because of choice. This understanding dislodges me from the isolation I might have in my own space and own self interest.
Fasting also brought me to the realization that one must change what one is doing--an interruption from the daily routines--in order to maintain a comfort and appreciation of the fast. One cannot continue with ones routine and ignore the fact that one is fasting. You must slow down, stop, reconcile with yourself, and appreciate the feelings that come to you. This pause is important and a forty day pause must be truly enlightening.
Just thoughts...