Last night at the sighting of the new moon was the start of Ramadan. This special time in the Muslim tradition lasts for a month. We may know it as a time of fasting during the daylight hours, prayer, and study, but the experience of Ramadan is so much more. As we sit for another month in stay at home conditions, I invite you to reflect on the parallels to what we are experiencing and the wisdom Muslims bring to us from their experience of Ramadan. See if anything from the following ten reflections from Muslims of what Ramadan means for them bring you any insight to what we can learn from this time of flattening the curve.
* Ramadan for me is a time when we get a glimpse, a window into your own spiritual ability what you can achieve.
* It is a time when you work on your self-discipline to understand the real source of energy and sustenance.
* In reality Ramadan is that whole closeness of family, to get that feeling of community spirit, and the feeling that you have of going through Ramadan is amazing.
* It is to make yourself a better person to take that extra step forward in your life not just for yourself, but for everyone around you as well.
* Ramadan is a time to reflect, to be disciplined and it is special because I spend time with my family.
* It is very much learning and being appreciative of what we have, and its a great reminder of just how lucky we are in this country.
* Everyone talks about the food, but it is remembering others and giving to others less fortunate than us.
* It's about change, it's about community, it's about coming together and reconnecting with your creator.
* Ramadan is a time of mercy, a time of blessing, a time of giving, a time of family, and a time when generosity is open up all, where there is blessing and mercy for all, and peace for all mankind.
For Children and Youth
Zoom meetings to find connections with each other, please email me
for links and information. We currently have 3 Sunday meeting groups: preschool to 2nd grade, middle school, and high school.
In prior weeks, I invited you to find a space in your home to have an altar, if you didn't already have one, and place a chalice, a sounding instrument (bell, bowl, drum, a spoon in a glass), a gratitude and grace bowl, and something of the season.
This week I invite you to add
photos, drawings or symbolic tokens of family members. As Muslims around the world take this time to connect more with family, so can we. As UU's, we celebrate the amazing uniqueness and diversity present in families, extended families, and the beloved family members we call pets. Our picture
s/drawings/symbols serve as a reminder that we are nourished by all the wonderful unique qualities of our family members.
If you don't have photos available, or prefer not to draw, you can find some object that symbolizes what is unique about someone. Again, the goal is to place a picture, drawing or object on the altar that captures something that is unique about each family member or captures each family member's unique love/passion.
If you and your family would like more ideas for what to do for family sacred space, please let me know. We can send you links to special music to play and family activities to enjoy together that change weekly.
So until next week, stay safe, stay healthy, and sleep well.
For joy and justice in an imperfect world,
