10 Mindfulness Experiences Awakened by Fasting

As philosopher Byung-Chul Han noted in his book The Burnout Society, we have internalized competitiveness and productivity to the extent that we are like forced labor camps. I think Ramadan fasting takes us away from the very predicament that Byung Chul-Han points out. It pulls us to the edge of the culture of competition dictated to us by the modern society.

The running mind slows down. Because our enthusiasm for the things we run after is limited. We realize that we have nothing to lose. The mind that catastrophizes calms down. Because a sweet and pure victory awaits us at the end of each day. The comparing mind is silenced. Instead of comparing, we are lined up with the same problem. It’s worth noting that fasting during Ramadan is not exclusive to Muslims.

In fact, every aspect of Islam pertains to humanity. Each act of worship is intended to shape the human spirit. When considering the Muslim fast from a human perspective, observe the followings:

1People experience a kind of regression; they return to childhood. The most important principle of childhood is to rejoice in small things. Every Muslim who fasts, perhaps, without realizing it, pushes aside all adult concerns and waits for the evening to come, for the sun to set. This special moment is his moment of pure joy. It is heralded either by the sound of the call to prayer or the light from a minaret — all of which are memories of childhood. Rejoicing in small things helps to recall childhood days.

2. The time to start eating and drinking is when the sun sets and the evening call to prayer begins. This special moment is called “iftar” which means “blossoming [of joys and pleasures]. The whole world experiences many sunsets and shares the same joy and happiness, just like the Little Prince did on his small, lovely planet. For the first time, the rotation of the earth and the movements of the sun take center stage. A cosmic awareness develops. People keep pace with the celestial rhythm. This experience can be a psychological liberation and a spiritual lifting to heaven for those who are easily distracted by the mundanities of the world.

3. Every person who intends to fast participates in a form of inaction. Fasting is distinct from other rituals in that it lacks form and appearance. In the rush to be seen by others, the fasting person turns inward, placing their heart in the palms of silent expectation and at the threshold of a childish hope. Fasting soothes all worldly worries and eliminates the chaos in which one may be drowning. It brings calm and a focus on ‘being’, neglecting all demonstrative efforts.

4. Those who fast experience the development proposed by Eric Fromm on the axis of ‘To Have or To Be.’ While fasting, people experience the inadequacy of their own means and the invalidity of their money. They realize that they do not own anything, even if they have supposedly bought it. By experiencing voluntary deprivation, they distance themselves from material possessions, lighten their burden, and move away from the rush to accumulate. They strive to ‘be’ rather than to ‘have.’

5. Fasting revitalizes empathy, a quality that modern society often lacks. Despite differences in culture, ethnicity, and social status, individuals experience the same emotions and share a common hope. This shared experience unites people and creates a sense of camaraderie. Therefore, all Hunger Games are ultimately overcome.

6. Satiety can have an alienating effect on people, causing them to become indifferent to others and blind to their needs and suffering. Hunger, on the other hand, can tear down the thick wall of the ego and promote kindness. Compassion allows us to connect with others on a deeper level, creating a river of empathy that flows between individuals.

7. The most important experience of iftar is the privilege of being able to make someone else happy. Because no matter how rich one is, at iftar time, everyone is hungry and in need. The iftar table gives the opportunity to be the solution to the childish quest of the guest. The iftar table provides the ground to fulfill the guest’s core emotional need. It is only through fasting that such a deep emotional hunger can be satiated.

8. Similar to an airplane taking off, a fasting person rises from the material world and leaves behind the cycle of giving and receiving. This process allows for a realization that one can break free from dependence on material possessions, serving as a source of hope for overcoming all kinds of addictions.

9. For various reasons, many individuals do not develop a secure attachment during childhood. As adults, the primary challenge is to re-establish a secure attachment. Fasting can help repair anxious, avoidant, and fearful attachment styles that may be present in our relationships. The iftar table, which we eagerly anticipate with our loved ones and sit down to together, can help restore the secure attachment we crave.

10. Aligned with the same excitement and hope, strangers come together to share the vulnerabilities and frustrations of being human. Rather than the carefree and indifferent model of modern times, fasting creates an environment for sincere human connections. It allows us to recognize that we are not so different from one another and opens the door to genuine and authentic intimacy.