Ramadan - First Experience

                             This year was my first time practicing Ramadan; the experience was incredible. Without previous or current ties to any religion or spiritual tradition, I surrendered and practiced the observances of Ramadan wholeheartedly. Never have I felt such appreciation and understanding for the crucial meaning of water and food. Never have I so deeply felt the hunger that unfortunately a large majority of the world's population feels everyday due to the greed of others. This practice taught me the true meaning of 24 hours, of what the experience is of day and night before electricity and housing could create the illusion of day or night. The experience of going throughout the entire day following one's daily spiritual, work, societal or family obligations without food and water leads to the revealing of one's true inner nature of habits. I also followed an observance of silence, speaking only when necessary and not eating any meat or processed food. 

                      Ramadan is a sacred Islamic month where the practitioner deepens one's spiritual practice of perfection in devotion and worship by observing a Fast (Sawm , Siyam, Roza) of water and food from sunrise to sunset. In addition to observing a fast from water and food during Ramadan, the practitioner is also to abstain from sexual activity during the daytime, violence, lying, stealing, negative thoughts, smoking and any additional negative behavior. Basically meaning a person following the fast has to abide by these observances during the time the sun is up/daylight hours. The fast lasted this year from Friday May 26th 2017 - Saturday June 24th/25th. The fast starts on the day after the new moon which this year happened to be Friday May 26th , and the fast is ended on the day after the new moon which depending on the country was either Saturday June 24th or Sunday June 25th. Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr or the celebration of the Feast ending the fast of Ramadan.  

                        Unlike what is commonly believed by the public, Ramadan can be observed by a person who does not follow Islam. In fact, every spiritual tradition has a practice of fasting. Whether these traditions of fasting are still observed or are forgotten is another conversation, but the presence is certainly there in the historical record. Even if we analyze the linguistics the word Islam means submission or peace in submission, and Muslim means one who has submitted or surrendered to God. I had some enlightening conversations with one of my students who happens to be a deeply devoted Muslim, and in fact It was his openness and dedication to the Ashtanga Yoga practice which inspired my journey of practicing Ramadan. He gifted me with the Koran and I gifted him with The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.  Each tradition is a piece of the truth as given from The Divine to the respective people, we only find true wholeness when we come together and create union, create Yoga.

                                        We all are one, one is all.

                          The natural harmony between fasting and the practice of Yoga was beautiful. In fact, fasting is a regular practice in the Ancient Yogic system, but now a days is only followed by the most disciplined practitioners. The union of fasting and Yoga practice of Asana (postures) and Pranayama (science of breathing) was deeply healing for myself as Yogic practitioner.  My daily spiritual practice or Sadhana consisted of practicing and teaching Ashtanga Yoga or the science of the Eight limbs, specifically following the Primary Series of Pattabhi Jois and the Classical Hatha Yoga practice of the Surya Kriya as taught by Sadhguru of The Isha Yoga Foundation. During Ramadan I practiced the Surya Kriya twice a day, during the morning(sunrise) and the evening (sunset), and also practiced the Surya Namaskar A & B everyday, as well as The Primary Series 3x a week. 

Never before have I felt such mental, physical and spiritual clarity, fortitude and direction. This concept of remaining open to all truths instead of being blinded to only what one knows is what led to this experience. I will continue the tradition of Ramadan every year until my physical body is ready to leave this world.

Deeply Grateful 

As-Salaam-Alaikum

Peace be with you