Writing in Snow

Third Day of Fast

Jamál (Beauty), 3 ‘Alá’ (Loftiness) 174 B.E. - Sunday, March 4, 2018
Third Day of Fast

"Fasting is a symbol. Fasting signifies abstinence from lust. Physical fasting is a symbol of that abstinence, and is a reminder; that is, just as a person abstains from physical appetites, he is to abstain from self-appetites and self-desires. But mere abstention from food has no effect on the spirit. It is only a symbol, a reminder. Otherwise it is of no importance. Fasting for this purpose does not mean entire abstinence from food. The golden rule as to food is, do not take too much or too little. Moderation is necessary."

'Abdu'l-Baha 12

On the Day of Beauty, I contemplate the symbol of fasting. Fasting is a metaphor for abstinence from things that are harmful to both soul and body. During the nineteen-day fast, the focus is on the spiritual side of fasting, such as reading the fasting prayers and meditating on the prayers or the sacred writings. Prayer and read the sacred writings is daily practice, whether fasting or not. However, during fast I like to focus on the prayers for fasting. By the end of ‘Alá’, the month of fasting, I intend to have said each one of the twelve fast prayer, on my smartphone app, at least once.

My second goal for ‘Alá’ is to write, at least, one poem each day using the divine attributes--Splendor, Glory, Beauty, Grandeur, Light, Mercy, Words, Perfection, Names, Might, Will, Knowledge, Power, Speech, Questions, Honor, Sovereignty, Dominion, and Loftiness--as the theme. On "First Day of the 19-Day Fast"  I wrote a poem using the theme of splendor. On "Second Day of Fast"  with the theme of glory. The spiritual theme I am writing about today is will.

Reading List for ‘Alá’
That I have completed

http://bahaiteachings.org/how-why-bahais-pray
http://bahaiteachings.org/why-do-bahais-fast-every-year
http://bahaiteachings.org/fasting-reading-sacred-writings
https://lifehacker.com/5591576/a-guide-to-meditation-for-the-rest-of-us

Poem Written on the Third Day of Fast:
Expressions of the Will of God

Prayer is an expression of the will of the Almighty,
Love is an expression of Divine will,
The oneness of humankind is an expression of the will of God,
The sacred scriptures are expressions of the Holy Spirit,
The Holy Spirit is an expression of the the primal will of the All-Knowing Creator,
All the Manifestations of God are expressions of the purpose of the Almighty.

Footnotes
1  Words of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, quoted by Miss E. S. Stevens in Fortnightly Review, June 1911; included in ‘Baha'u'llah and the New Era', by Dr. J.E. Esslemont; Star of the West, vol. 3, no. 6, June 24, 1917
2  Counsels and Explanations by 'Abdu'l-Baha -- daily readings for March 4, 2018 http://counselsandexplanations.blogspot.com/