By self-study, by observing, by being hollow and empty, you become a channel - you become a part of the Divine. You are able to feel the presence of Divinity. All the different angels and devas, all these different forms of our consciousness, start blossoming.
If there is to be a human future, we must bring ourselves into balanced relationship with one another and the Earth. This requires building economies with the heart.
Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
Fasting in the monastic community is considered an ascetic practice, a “dhutanga” practice. Dhutanga means “to shake up” or “invigoration”. The Buddha, as is well known, emphasized moderation, the Middle Way that avoids extremes, in all things. Fasting is an additional method that one can take up, with supervision, for a time.

