Ramadan

Sunset photo by Brayden

Tonight is the start of Ramadan, an Islamic holy day that marks the discovery of the Qur’an by the Prophet Muhammad.

The Islamic calendar is totally lunar, so Ramadan is a few weeks earlier each year, at the sighting of the thin crescent moon, hopefully at sundown tonight.

Ramadan is a month of blessing. By night, Muslims read the Qur'an, and celebrate the compassion of God with special prayers. 

By day, they give to charities, and observe the discipline of fasting: They eat an early morning meal before the sun rises, then eat and drink nothing until after sundown. The Ramadan fast includes abstinence from falsehood and anger, in words and in deeds.

Even though I don't partake in a fast, I observe Ramadan in this same spirit, renewing my relationship with God, and exercising self-discipline and generosity. I hope to build my empathy for Muslims as they observe their month-long fast.

Agenda:
1. Celestial awareness

2. Review Essential Intentions
3. Celebrate Iftar

1. Celestial awareness: 
Ramadan lasts from tonight's crescent moon to next month's crescent moon. It's not a seasonal observance because it falls at a different season every year; I think of it as a celestial observance.

As part of my effort to have empathy for Muslim's as they fast, over the years I've attempted to have a heightened awareness of the movement of the moon during this month, and each day's sunrise and sunset. This has grown into a year round awareness. (It also helps that my ducks need to be let in and out of the coop with the sunset and sunrise.)

The beauty of the sunrise and a sunset is that no matter what happens during the day, the sunset will draw the day to a close, and tomorrow will bring a new day, and a new sunrise. The rhythm of nature is soothing and dependable. 

This month I will mark the sunrise with a short daily morning meditation outdoors, and the sunset by stepping out my front door to give attention to the sky.

2. Review Essential Intentions:

This week I'm reviewing and recommitting to my core values, and writing new intentions. I ask-

How do I define each of my values?

Why do I value them? Why is it so important to me?

What right action or good deeds do I intend each day?

How do I intend to live, to support and demonstrate my values?

When I turn my values into intentions, they become a pledge for action in the moment - they remind me of my deepest, most essential, most passionate reasons for leading a valuable life. It's vital for me to define my values and principles in a way that touches me at my core, and hone each one down to a phrase that will be useful, day in and day out.

I'm working at this a little each day:

I intend to know what my purpose is (to love and serve my family and community, lead a simple life of integrity, be a creative force for change in the world, and celebrate the seasons and the circle), because knowing my purpose and my priorities gives my life meaning and direction.

 

3. Celebrate Iftar:

The Ramadan fast is broken at sunset each night with a meal called iftar. One year I had this simple Turkish-style iftar meal with Ezogelin (EZ-oh gel-EEN) soup, flat bread, goat cheese, black olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, and dates. The soup is very tasty and filling, and the recipe is here.