Yesterday was the first day of Ramadhan and it also happened to be the day that we had to have my daughter admitted into the hospital for a fever and rash. Fortunately it’s nothing immediately life-thrratening but it has been a rough few days nonetheless.
As I’m sure most people will realize, Ramadhan is a Muslim holiday and the fact that I’m fasting may strike some as strange but it is a fact of my lay life that I am a nominal Muslim by marriage. Anyway, I’ll dispense with the biographical details for now, but suffice it to say that abstaing from food and drink from sun up to sun down brings suffering into stark contrast and robs one of the ability to escape into the pleasures of consuming.
As difficult as it is, Ramadhan is always time I enjoy even in times as trying as these. Ramadhan kareem!
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
A silly question perhaps: were you Muslim before practicing Buddhism? I think it is awesome that you participate in your wife’s tradition — and it makes me seem a little less strange in that I try to involve myself in my family’s Christian holy days. Please be well; may your practice be fruitful!
By: Hickersonia on 06/30/2014
at 3:21 pm
Not silly at all. I was a practicing Buddhist but not quite so serious as I am now. I have often found much to relate to in your posts about practicing with your family as well. I think our experiences point to a lived practice that you don’t find in books.
By: Upāsaka on 06/30/2014
at 3:28 pm
Maybe so… Thank you, friend. I hope others can derive some inspiration from these shared experiences. 🙂
By: Hickersonia on 07/01/2014
at 2:35 am