day one
“There’s hidden sweetness in the stomach’s emptiness.
We are lutes, no more, no less.
If the soundbox is stuffed full of anything, no music.
If the brain and belly are burning clean with fasting, every moment a new song comes out of the fire.”
Rumi
“This is the day of Bahá’u’lláh, the age of the Blessed Perfection, the cycle of the Greatest Name. If you do not smile now, for what time will you await and what greater happiness could you expect? This is the springtime of manifestation. The vernal shower has descended from the cloud of divine mercy; the life-giving breeze of the Holy Spirit is wafting the perfume of blossoms. From field and meadow rises a fragrant breath of thanksgiving like pure incense ascending to the throne of God. The world has become a new world; souls are quickened, spirits renewed, refreshed. Truly it is a time for happiness..”
shahriar erfanian/left (vancouver, canada): Every year during the fast, I reflect on how I can be a better person. This year is a special one since it is the first fast with my son in my life. Having him makes me want to try even harder to be a better person so I can be a good example for him as he grows. I can’t wait for the time when I can fast with him too, since I have such fond memories of waking with my parents and sisters in the mornings to have breakfast together, and sharing this important time of year with one another. I look forward to experiencing this special time with my own kids one day. I love the fast, and hope that they will too.
kat eghdamian/right: I have a headache. Fasting should come with a warning: dehydration probable. That point aside, and a few cups of water later, I feel grateful for these blessed days. 2013 is the year of renewal.
nineteen days 
Luminous! Kat and Shahriar, both your photos capture such gorgeous light! What a beautiful first set to start with.
This will be my 41st Fast. Each year is different. Each year is wonderful. It is a time of introspection and reflection. A time when everything seems to be a litttle bit clearer, a lot more spiritual. It is a bounty that I look forward to every year. It is truly a gift for the spirit in each of us.
What a wonderful start to the project, with images that compliment each other in colour and content.
Loving the purple and blues of the raindrops and the raindrop-like lens flares.
So happy to have found this site, this worldwide companionship during the fast.
Simply beautiful – thank you all for the heavenly inspiration.
Beautiful imagery and reflections. Shahriar, you dawn imagery is stunning as is your dusk shot, Kat! What a great way to kick off the project!
Such a stunning start to this year’s Fast…
Cool and crisp all around. Reminds me of the fast’s early winter mornings. Beautiful work Shahriar and Kat!
This is fantastic, a global repository of authentic experiences of the Fast. Thanks to all of you, I may begin to take pictures in NJ as a result ; )
A brilliant idea, one which I follow with joy every year.
This is a wonderful site, uniting the community and inspiring us with beautiful images.
Unfortunately I can’t fast for health reasons. When I made feeble attempts to fast in the past, I found it absolutely impossible to get through the day in any normal sense, and as a result this season isn’t a particularly uplifting one for me. Seeing how easily other Baha’is seem to sail through the 19 days on a spiritual high just makes me feel even more frustrated! But maybe, for me, that is what it’s all about! Patience and submission to accepting my limitations —— failing isn’t something I like, but maybe it’s something I have to learn.
Baha’u’llah knows your intentions, don’t worry. He reads our hearts as clear as glass. He knows our real station.
The “true fast” is when we focus on our spirituality and we spend more time praying, meditating and reflecting.
There is no point starving for 13 hours…. if we don’t give more attention to our spiritual nature.
Trust me… i have done MANY fasts which were pretty much pointless, because I didn’t spend enough time focusing on God and deepening my connection with Him.
Carolyn, just focus on the spiritual side. And you can even make it fun by adding a “fasting” element, like chocolate, or caffeine, or whatever feels like a sacrifice to you.
I wish you many blessings for this special time and for Naw Ruz.
Alla’u’abha x
Hi Carolyn, thanks so much for your honest reflections here. 🙂 I very much echo the sentiments shared by ‘anon’ about the nature of the Fast.
Although it can be difficult, we should not place too much emphasis on the physical aspects of this time. I can only speak for myself but I definitely do not sail through these days always on a spiritual high. 🙂 It’s a struggle for many of us to uplift our souls and reflect during this time but we are together in striving for spiritual renewal. I hope that each hour of these days is indeed a blessed time for you. x
Lovely site to come across. Beautiful photos. Very thoughtful comments. Lovely to share these days with extended Baha’i family.
Thank you.
Lovely set, guys! the four pictures complement one another very well 🙂
Thanks everyone for the lovely comments! It was quite special to submit on the first day.
I’m very grateful for this project and the level of dialogue that it generates – about the Fast, the nature of art and attraction to beauty. Looking forward to seeing more creative and reflective posts from the participants. 🙂