One of the hardest things about fasting is entering the last phase of the day, a couple of hours before the end of the fast.
Often at this point, you’re tired, hungry, drained after a full day of work (often with far too little sleep) and struggling to do anything but zone out.
And somehow, just when you want everyone to leave you alone, a sibling or parent or child or spouse – or all of them together – will stmake demands, or say or do things that make you just want to SNAP!
This my dear friend is called being…
HANGRY.
Hungry-Angry.
Or simply angry with a bit of hunger thrown in to justify it.
At this point, it’s usually a good idea to remember that the point of fasting is meant to be, to become more conscious. How do you do that when you’re ‘hangry’?
One method that’s worked wonders for me, with all negative emotions, but particularly the feeling of hunger or being drained during a fasting day, is called:
The Inner Salam Method.
Here’s how it works:
When you notice the fast is becoming hard towards the end of the day (or any time you notice the hunger), instead of ‘soldiering on’, trying to distract yourself from it by zoning out into the TV or your smartphone – instead, you go deeply into the actual sensation in the body.
Clear your mind and pour all of your attention into the actual sensations in the body that are happening.
We label it as ‘hunger’, but it’s actually experienced as a small, hardly-noticeable, uncomfortable dull ‘pang’ feeling, usually somewhere in the mid-section. Give that sensation all of your attention. Pay full attention to it as though there’s no other job for you on planet earth, other than to notice the feeling.
If any thoughts creep into your mind, ignore them and go back into the sensation in your body (by doing this, you stay fully present).
Give it your attention for a few seconds, or minutes and guess what happens…
The feeling completely dissipates, and your ‘hangry’ mood moves on to something much more peaceful and pleasant.
Suddenly, you’re able to do a lot more and you feel lighter, like you have more energy.
This “Inner Salam Method” is one of 3 very powerful tools I share with clients to help them master their ‘nafs’ (ego) and increase their level of consciousness.
I recommend you try it out next time you notice you’re in a mood, or feeling “hangry”. It’s probably a way better idea to do this, than snapping at random family members for asking you to do something totally unreasonable… like setting the dining table.
In the meanwhile, I’ve had a few great responses from my last couple of emails about the name of my upcoming coaching program, and there appears to be a winner… but I’d love a few more responses before I make it final.
I personally reply to every single person who responds because I REALLY appreciate it.
The aim of the program is to deepen your connection with Allah, turn you into your best self and transform your relationships as a result.
With that in mind, which of the following program titles are you most interested in, and would’ve signed up for if already available?
- The Spiritual Switch Coaching Program
- The Self-Mastery Program
- The Nafs-Mastery Program
Click reply with the name that resonates most – I’m super-excited about this new program and will share all the juicy details shortly… I just need a few more responses to know for certain what I should call it.
