Author Archives: Brother M

Fasting, Perception and the Sixth Sense – Part 1

Have you seen him who makes his desire his god, and God sends him astray purposely, and seals up his hearing and his heart, and sets on his sight a covering? Who, then, will lead him after God [has condemned … Continue reading

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Fasting, Ketosis & Altered Consciousness

And whoever does more good than he is bound to do, it is better for him; for to fast is better for you - if you only knew. [Qur'an - 2:184] Ketosis illustrates a striking convergence of religion and science. Normally, our … Continue reading

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Fasting and Exorcism

And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him [the evil spirit] out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting … Continue reading

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Silence of God

Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile … Continue reading

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Fasting for Spiritual Development

And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of … Continue reading

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Spiritual Catharsis

And when those who believe in Our revelations come unto thee, say: Peace be unto you! Your Lord hath prescribed for Himself mercy. Verily, whoso of you does evil through ignorance but afterwards repents thereof and does right, (to him) … Continue reading

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Abstinence and Fasting

Successful indeed are the believers Those who humble themselves in their prayers; And who keep aloof from what is vain, Who are active in deeds of charity; Who abstain from sex, except from their wives or those whom their right … Continue reading

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Escaping the Matrix

[Since they have become oblivious of God] corruption has appeared on land and in the sea as an outcome of what men’s hands have wrought: and so He will let them taste [the evil of] some of their doings, so … Continue reading

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Lust, Fasting & Self-Control

There is no satisfying lusts, even by a shower of gold pieces; he who knows that lusts have a short taste and cause pain, he is wise; even in the [supernal] pleasures [of the devas], he finds no satisfaction; the … Continue reading

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Rumi’s Stomach

There is an unseen sweetness in the stomach’s emptiness! Man is like a lute, neither more nor less: When the lute’s stomach is full, it cannot lament, whether high or low. If your brain and stomach burn from fasting, their … Continue reading

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Rite Fasting

“This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must deny yourselves and not do any work–whether native-born or an alien living among you – because on this day atonement will … Continue reading

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Attitude Modification

“Yet if you devote your heart to Him and stretch out your hands to Him,  if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then you will lift up your … Continue reading

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Fasting and Pain

The more a man desires spiritual life, the more bitter the present becomes to him, because he understands better and sees more clearly the defects, the corruption of human nature. To eat and drink, to watch and sleep, to rest, … Continue reading

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Fast Times

By (the Token of) Time (through the ages), Most surely man is in loss, Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Endurance. [Qur'an, Surah 103] God has … Continue reading

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Fasting Tests

Do people think that they will be left alone on saying, “We believe,” and not be tried? Certainly We tried those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are sincere, and know those who feign. [Qur'an 29:3] We … Continue reading

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Simulated Adversity

Oh you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you so that you may attain God-consciousness. [Qur'an 2:183] Fasting produces physically measurable conditions. It also produces conditions not yet scientifically defined that we … Continue reading

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Front Row Fasting

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood, and prayed thus with himself: God, I thank Thee that I am not as other men are, unjust, extortioners, … Continue reading

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Why Fast?

Do you fast? Prove it by doing good works. If you see someone in need, take pity on them. If you see a friend being honored, don’t get jealous of him. For a true fast, you cannot fast only with … Continue reading

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Mental Purity

Not nakedness, not platted hair, not dirt, not fasting, or lying on the earth, not rubbing with dust, not sitting motionless, can purify a mortal who has not overcome desires. [Dhammapada 10.141]. Often we strive to attain lofty spiritual states … Continue reading

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Remembrance of God

Recite that which hath been inspired in thee of the Scripture, and establish worship. Lo! worship preserveth from lewdness and iniquity, but verily remembrance of Allah is more important. And Allah knoweth what ye do. [Qur'an 29:45] When we know … Continue reading

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