Monthly Reflection: Ala (Loftiness) – On the Fast

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I am entering the Fast in a very different manner from previous years, as I repeatedly reflect on the recent message of love and prayers from the Universal House of Justice to the Baha’is in Iran.

While the letter is addressed to Baha’is in the Cradle of the Faith, I think it’s a message for, and about, everyone. It speaks of the history and ongoing bitter suffering occurring in Iran, which breaks the hearts and brings grief to us all, and describes how we are collectively united and joined together during this potent and powerful time of year:

In the course of these days, the company of believers in the far-flung corners of the earth, relying on the spiritual forces released by the Fast and with pure motives and stainless dispositions, will be occupied in prayerful remembrance and deep reflection on the heavenly teachings, that they may burnish the mirrors of their hearts and thereby attract divine confirmations, illumine all people through the effulgent rays of the light of God, and increasingly strive to serve and show love towards those around them and to foster the oneness of the world of humanity. Be assured, also, that all the followers of the Blessed Beauty are in the course of this month united and joined with you, their spiritual sisters and brothers. 

Several years ago, Soheila wrote about fasting with a goal in mind. I can think of no loftier goal than what has been described by the House of Justice and holding the friends in Iran–and all people who are suffering in the world–close to my heart during this time of year when every hour of these days is endowed with a special virtue.

Baha’i Blog has amassed a small collection of personal thoughts and musings on the Fast, whether it is fasting out of love, the environmental impacts of our diets, how fasting helps us build resilience, or the nature of sacrifice when we abstain from food and drink. You can find all our resources related to the Fast pulled together in a special collection.

While we have only one Studio Session song specifically about the Fast, this year I’ll also be revisiting the songs we released last March by Mazra’ih. Whenever I hear them, I am instantly transported back to the feelings, sentiments and my surroundings of last year’s fast, and the brevity of the passages from the Writings that are sung make it easy to repeat their melodies and allow them to carry you throughout the day. I hope you’ll give them a listen too.

Wishing you a blessed, rejuvenating and transformative month of fasting!

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Sonjel Vreeland

In her innermost heart, Sonjel is a stay-at-home parent and a bookworm with a maxed out library card but professionally she is a museologist with a background in English Literature. She currently lives on Prince Edward Island, an isle in the shape of a smile on the eastern Canadian coast. Sonjel is a writer who loves to listen to jazz when she's driving at night.