jo nahi tu


Fasting
The most prominent event of this month is the fasting (sawm) practiced by most observant Muslims. Every day during the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world get up before dawn to eat the Suhoor meal (the pre dawn meal) and perform their fajr prayer. They break their fast when the fourth prayer of the day, Maghrib (sunset), is due.
During Ramadan, Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual activities during fasting hours are also forbidden. Purity of both thought and action is important. The fast is intended to be an exacting act of deep personal worship in which Muslims seek a raised level of closeness to their god. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. Properly observing the fast is supposed to induce a comfortable feeling of peace and calm. It also allows Muslims to practice self-discipline, sacrifice, and sympathy for those who are less fortunate, intended to make Muslims more generous and charitable. Muslims can eat after the sun has set. Pregnant women, the elderly, the ill and children less than 12 years of age are all exempt from fasting as lack of food could damage health. Wikipedia,

Effect of Food On The Mind (cont.)
Three categories of foods are defined corresponding to the particular energy that exists in them.
The first is 'Sattvik' or sentient food (explained yesterday).
The second group is 'Rajasik' or mutative food - it contains a mutative energy of restlessness, constant movement or change. When this force is predominant, the mind and body become agitated and nervous, unable to calm down and relax. These foods include caffeinated drinks such as coffee and many teas, hot spices, fermented foods and some medicinal drugs.The third group is 'Tamasik' or static food - this has a static force of dullness, inertia, intoxication, attraction towards sensuality, decay and death. Death occurs when the other two energies (sentient and mutative) are spent and the static force is solely dominant. Static foods include meat, fish, eggs, alcohol, mushrooms, onions and garlic.