Baha'is fast for 19 days, which is equivalent to one month in the Baha'i calender.
After this month, is the Month of Baha, which is the 1st month of a New Year.
"Why do u fast??"
"For what?? What do you get?"
"Why don't you eat or drink??"
... ...
These r common questions asked by friends.
Why do we fast??
Well, I can't give an exact explanation or answer to these.
Because, one will learn about the purpose and advantages once he or she fast.
Because, i learnt so much that i can't answer in one full sentence.
Biologically, fasting helps to cleanse my body, especially my filthy intestine.
Before the sun rises, i have to eat and drink early in the morning.
After the sun sets in the evening about 7.30pm, we break fast.
In between, I don't eat nor drink anything.
Fasting in an art i would say.
I learnt to eat wisely.
On the 1st day, one may eat a lot during breakfast, thinking that it will store the energy for the rest of the day.
After break fast at night, he or she eats a lot again to 'regain' the energy.
However, this is not a wise thing to do during fasting.
If i do that, i will feel thirsty very fast, and couldn't sleep well at night.
So, i learnt to eat healthy food.
No oily, fried food, less salty/spicy food, more fruits(banana!) and vegetables, proteins(fish,egg), and lots of water.
The keyword here is moderation.
I felt healthier despite not eating nor drinking for hours, and my migraine attack doesn't appear!
We got to wake up early to eat, so it trains us to wake up early and sleep early everyday, which since long ago, is a 'secret' towards good health.
Spiritually, i feel more connected with God.
Fasting is a 'gift' from God, which i still do not completely understand it's inner meaning.
During fasting, we have to abstain from food and water which is a huge test to us.
We can't consume physical food, but we can gain spiritual food via prayers.
It really helps a lot when one is salivating.
It gives us inner strength to continue our fast.
It helps us to reflect on ourselves, including 'how steadfast are we?'
The main purpose of fasting is still spiritual growth.
If one is fasting, but commits crimes or tells a lie, then it defeats the purpose.
After the fast, one should have improved in personality and gained spiritual insights from Writings and Prayers.
We celebrate the last day of fast, and the celebration is called Naw-Ruz, meaning New Day.
Which means it's a new beginning, for a better person to help in the betterment of the world.
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