Fasting / a Poem by Rumi

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FASTING

 

There's hidden sweetness in the stomach's emptiness.

 

We are lutes, no more, no less. If the soundbox

 

is stuffed full of anything, no music.

 

If the brain and the 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're full of food and drink, Satan sits

 

where your spirit should, an ugly metal statue

 

in place of the Kaaba. 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've lost all will and control,

 

they come back when you fast, like soldiers appearing

 

Out of the 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.

 

 

Jelaluddin Rumi

 

--------------------------------

 

These words by Rumi

really

resonate with me.

I don't "FAST" but when I cleanse*, I am eating only at specified times

and

only certain things are taken in over the course of the 30 day

practice. In doing this practice I am overcoming all kinds

of subconscious inertias and cravings. I am a

much more together person when doing this practice as I confront my

many cravings. IT IS a beautiful sadhana.

 

Trying to get up the nerve once again.

 

I'll buy 50 lbs of carrots tonight.

Dharam

Singh

Millis, MA

 

*http://www.sahej.com/The_Cleanse_Brochure.pdf