The Ground Rules

So here are the ground rules I am setting for my Lenten observance with a nod toward the Muslim tradition of fasting during Ramadan.  I will begin following these rules beginning tomorrow, March 9, 2011.

The Rules of Ramadan:

• No food
• No drink
• No smoking
• No sexual activity

These restrictions are to be observed from sunrise until sunset, or between the times when one can distinguish the difference between a white or black thread.  Below are the black and white threads tied to the front porch railing.  I may try using these instead of sunrise/sunset.

The Christian twist to the rules:

• Instead of observing these rules during the Muslim month of Ramadan, I will observe these rules the duration of the Roman Catholic observance of Lent from March 9, 2011 (Ash Wednesday) through April 24, 2011 (Easter Sunday).
• Because even during the Lenten season Sundays are a commemoration of the Resurrection, I will not observe the rules of Ramadan from sundown on Saturday through Sunday evening.
• Islam prohibits the consumption of alcohol.  This is not a prohibition within Roman Catholicism.  I reserve the right to enjoy a glass of wine or the occasional beer.
• I am not entering this exercise with an eye towards legalism.  While I want to make every effort to observe this fast each day as a matter of discipline, if circumstances dictate that a break of the fast is necessary, I reserve the right to do so without the fear of divine retribution.

Eric, remind me again, why you are doing this?

• Fasting is found in many of the world's religious traditions including Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism.  I admire the dedication of Muslims who commit themselves to this fast annually and I am, in a sense, seeking to satisfy my curiosity and attempting an act of solidarity.
• My hope is that this will have spiritual benefits.  Most notably, I am looking forward to utilizing what would be "lunch time" as an opportunity for personal prayer and reflection.  As a neophyte in the practice of Ignatian Spirituality, I pray that this opportunity will help deepen my own personal faith and practice.
• This is an exercise in the reduction of consumption.  I often eat not out of hunger but out of habit and this exercise will help create a greater awareness within myself between want and need.  Billions of people go hungry everyday.  Me going hungry for less than two months is no big deal.
• I'm not going to lie . . . while my motives for this are largely spiritual in nature I am interested in seeing what this will do to my level of self-discipline as well as my overall health and weight.
• And finally, I've often entertained the idea of wanting to "blog," but have shied away from it as a theology teacher because I have wanted to avoid posting things which are political either in terms of Church or state.  While I cannot guarantee that won't come up here, my intent is not to be controversial but to record my thoughts and experiences in a manner which is honest and open to dialog, compassion and understanding.