The Quran tells us exactly why we’re ordered to fast during Ramadan. Here’s my translation of the verse:
“Prescribed for you, like those before you: fast!
Perhaps your increased consciousness will last”
[Quran 2:182]
The ultimate purpose for fasting is to increase our level of consciousness, or ‘taqwa’. This begs the question:
What is your level of consciousness and how do you know if it’s increasing?
Consciousness, in my understanding, is the extent to which you’re aware of Allah’s constant presence.
Most of us walk around all day completely unconscious of the fact of Allah’s Presence. Instead, we have a constant soundtrack in our minds. As Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh called it, we’re tuned into “Radio Station NST: Non-Stop Thinking”.
To increase in consciousness is to cut through this pointless, unnecessary, repetitive, ego-based thinking and replace it with silence.
How do you do that?
Simple – you can do it with me right now. I recommend you actually follow these instructions as you read – don’t just read them. Ready?
Start with this:
Quiet your mind.
Bring your attention into your body.
Breathe, and notice your breath.
Notice the space that’s created between one thought and the next.
Be still and bring your attention into the stillness.
Notice what’s happening in the room around you.
Notice what it feels like to have legs and arms; if you can, notice the ‘inner’ energy field of your body.
Pause for a few seconds and enjoy the beauty of the present moment. Notice what it feels like to be alive.
That wasn’t so hard, was it? Did you notice how your mind quietened down and your awareness increased? How would you describe your feeling state now, in one word?
When I ask coaching clients this, they often say words like: calm; peace; tranquil; still; neutral.
What most people don’t realise is that this state is the psychological and spiritual state of what we call, in the Islamic tradition:
Zikr Allah: bringing Allah to mind.
You may not have found the words to praise or thank Allah with yet, as you experience this state. That’s because words come later. What you just experienced is true zikr: zikr of the mind and the heart.
Allah, the Transcendent, is far beyond your conception. So the closest you can ever come to “bringing Allah to mind”, is to completely clear and quiet your mind altogether. The ‘space’ and quietude that’s left is an awareness of Allah’s presence.
It makes sense that this would bring a feeling of inner-peace. As Allah says in the Quran:
“Is it not by bringing Allah to mind;
That hearts tranquility and peace, do find?”
[Quran: 13:28]
What you also experienced just now, even if it was only for a few seconds, was an awakening: an increase in your momentary level of consciousness.
The way fasting works is that each time you get hungry or thirsty and stop yourself from reaching for food, you wake up a little bit and interrupt your unconscious habits of eating and drinking. In fact, simply noticing your hunger, brings you back into the present moment and creates a space – an opportunity – for you to become more present, conscious and aware of Allah’s Presence.
By doing this all day every day for a month, plus a lot more Quran reflection and prayer, it can all add up to a level of spiritual transformation beyond anything that most people ever get to experience.
Speaking of spiritual transformation, if you enjoyed today’s message, then you’ll love my upcoming coaching program. From yesterday’s email, where I did a quick survey, I’m down to 2 or 3 potential names for 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 your help to figure out what to call it!
