What Should You Be Giving Up for Lent? A MetaSpiritual Perspective
Traditionally during Lent, we are asked to give up things like chocolate, ice cream, soft drinks, high fat foods, doughnuts, potato chips, and so on. The phrase “deny yourself” is equated with “deprive yourself of pleasure.” And the focus is generally giving up certain types of foods, some luxuries like eating out in restaurants, reducing TV time, turning off house lights and using candles, and so on, throughout the Lenten season. Then when Lent is over, everyone falls right back into the old habits. Seems like a silly program to us!
Here's a More Powerful, Practical Perspective!
As you might expect, we have a totally different take on Lenten sacrifice. Our spiritual practice is to fast from error thoughts, choices, and actions that create an illusion of separation with the Truth of who we are. The dieting we advocate during Lent is dieting from doubts, fasting from fear, abstaining from believing we are unworthy, and eliminating the thinking that we are sinful by nature.
And, yes, if there are foods that are harmful to your physical body you may want to fast from them as well – not just during Lent, but as a lifestyle decision. The important thing to remember is that Lent is not a fad. It is a lifelong spiritual practice.
Here are three important things to give up, not just for Lent, but forever:
Fast from the belief that you are here to learn lessons.
Yes, you definitely learn lessons, and sometimes they are harsh lessons, but your lessons are effects, not causes. You are here for one reason, and one reason only: to become one with and fulfill your Higher, Divine, Extraordinary Nature!
You are not here to learn lessons, but to lessen self-defeating learning. (Bil Holton)
Fast from the belief that you are right where you're
supposed to be.
You're not a puppet, and there's no one up there controlling your every move. You're where you are because of your own choices and mindset, not because someone else decided it for you.
I Divinely Order my life experiences through my thoughts, choices, and actions -- each consecutive moment of now. (Cher & Bil Holton)
Fast from negative self-talk, worry, and fear.
These defeating habits literally block you from all the incredible opportunities in the field of Infinite Potential! Not to mention the fact that they drain your vitality, sap your energy, and take you off course on your Spiritual journey!
The present moment is my time zone! Fear, doubt, worry, and negative self-talk serve no purpose here. I'm grateful for today, and celebrate my Extraordinary Nature! (Cher & Bil Holton)
Of course, this is just a start! There are tons more things you can choose to give up -- things that, once you eliminate, you will never want to reclaim again! Holding grudges, hanging on to too much stuff that no longer serves you, lack of confidence in yourself ... ANYTHING that is interfering with your experience of oneness, wholeness, inner peace, and joy! Let it go ... and know the empowering feeling of living right smack in the middle of the Field of Infinite Potential!
PS: If you're interested in a MetaSpiritual approach to Ash Wednesday, check out our article Ash Wednesday, A MetaSpiritual Perspective here.