Secrets+of+Divine+Love+Ramadan

230 SECRETS OF DIVINE LOVE
We are created to be in this world, but our work here is striving not to
be of this world. Fasting from the lower self begins with resisting the ego’s
desire to seek praise and validation from others. Once we are able to fast
from our physical desires and the expectations of others, we then have to
learn how to break free from the tyranny of the mind.
“As water drops make a river, thoughts make character
and faith.”
IMAM ALI
In order to change our thought patterns and pave new pathways in
our brain, we must fast from engaging in thoughts that do not serve our
higher selves. 16 Scientific studies have shown that whether we visualize
raising our right hand or we actually do it, it affects the same areas of
the brain. 17 A study at Harvard University also showed that participants
who imagined flexing their fingers for several weeks actually increased
the physical strength of their fingers by 35 percent. 18 Since these studies
show that thoughts affect both the development of the brain and the
entire physiology of the body, we know that we need to be conscious of
our thoughts, since what we think about directly affects our well-being. 19
When we fast from our thoughts, we are not attempting to
stop our thinking; rather, we are choosing to not consume
every thought that sprouts from the soil of the ego.
When thoughts arise, we do not judge them, analyze them, or try to
change them—instead, we watch them pass by like clouds floating in the
sky of our mind, and gently return our gaze back to the Divine. When we
create space between our thoughts and who we actually are, we realize
that we are not our thoughts. It is only then that we are able to let go of the
self-judgment and shame associated with the ego, which often prevents us
from feeling worthy of having a relationship with Allah. Once we can see
that Allah is our refuge and safe haven from the grips of the ego, we can
begin to turn our hearts from the fleeting creation to the eternal Creator.