Sweet be the glances we exchange, our faces showing true concord; Enshrine me in your heart and let one spirit dwell within us.
Only the person having firm conviction and iron volition can attain strength and energy. At no stage of karma does he ever hesitate.
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.
The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don’t wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope.
