The Eloquence of Absence: Fasting, Silence, and the Sacred Bond Across Faiths, Religions, and The Earth

Finding Sacred Pause: How Ancient Practices Offer Modern Salvation

In a world that never stops buzzing, beeping, and demanding our attention, a countercultural movement is gaining momentum across faith communities worldwide, the embrace of silence, reflection, and fasting. From Judaism’s Day of Atonement to Ramadan’s sacred month, from Buddhist meditation retreats to Christian Lenten observances, these diverse paths converge on a shared insight: when we quiet the external, we finally hear the internal. Even the Balinese Hindu tradition exemplifies this wisdom with their New Year celebration of “Nyepi,” a remarkable day of complete silence where an entire island falls quiet, airports close, and residents remain indoors in contemplation. As Benedictine monk Andrew March wisely noted, we “can listen to substantive speech for hours while five minutes of garrulous speech is too much.”

For millions globally, these practices aren’t relics of a bygone era but vital resources for navigating our hyperconnected present. When we temporarily shut down our devices, quiet our voices, and even abstain from food, we don’t retreat from reality, we encounter it more directly, with fewer filters and distractions. Across the diverse tapestry of global faiths, these ancient practices continue to offer something our chaotic world desperately needs: not an escape, but a return to what matters most.

 

Religions Prize Silence

Embracing silence represents not merely an absence of sound but a profound spiritual choice. From Trappist monasteries to Zen meditation halls, from Islamic Ramadan contemplative practices to humanist retreats, diverse traditions recognize silence as sacred terrain where the soul finds its footing. “Silence is active, not passive,” notes contemplative scholar Dr. Maria Alvarez. “It’s where we learn to listen, to ourselves, to others, to whatever we might call divine.” Each tradition approaches this practice with unique purpose: Christians seek communion with God, Buddhists cultivate awareness beyond suffering, Muslims prepare their hearts for prayer, humanists find authentic connection to self. Unlike loneliness, which stems from disconnection, intentional silence fosters deeper relationship with what matters most-creating not empty space, but fertile ground where peace takes root and wisdom flowers.

 

Photo source: Vaticanmedia/divisione foto

Fasting: The Call of Hunger, a Path to Spiritual Elevation

Across faith traditions spanning continents and centuries, millions embrace an ancient practice that seems counterintuitive in our culture of abundance: the deliberate choice to go without food. But practitioners from Ramadan observers to Buddhist monks to Orthodox Christians find in fasting something far more nourishing than what they temporarily surrender. When followers step away from constant consumption, they discover appetites deeper than physical hunger, awakening awareness that transforms material sacrifice into spiritual technology.

This voluntary abstention transcends mere deprivation across diverse traditions, from sunrise-to-sunset abstentions during Ramadan to selective food restrictions during Lent to Yom Kippur’s complete fast. Muslims speak of heightened compassion for those who hunger involuntarily; Christians describe fasting as a return to essentials; Hindus report enhanced mental clarity and spiritual receptivity. Though practices vary dramatically, the underlying transformation remains consistent: material sacrifice opening doorways to spiritual elevation. In our age of instant gratification, this ancient discipline offers a radical proposition: that sometimes the path to fulfillment begins with emptiness.

 

 

Photo doc. Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Resort

Hinduism’s Silent Day: When an Island Pauses to Breathe

In an extraordinary display of collective spiritual commitment, the Indonesian island of Bali transforms each year during “Nyepi,” the Balinese Hindu New Year celebration. For a full 24 hours, this vibrant tourist destination of over four million people falls into profound silence. Streets empty completely. Airports close. Beaches stand deserted. Even electricity use is minimized as residents remain indoors in meditation, prayer, and fasting.

This “Day of Silence” represents far more than religious observance—it has become an environmental phenomenon with global significance. As vehicles stand still and businesses close, Bali’s air quality transforms dramatically. Environmental researchers estimate that approximately 20,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions are prevented during this single day of island-wide pause. Local government reports indicate fuel savings of around one million liters, while globally, Nyepi contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 33% for that day. The practice demonstrates how ancient wisdom can address modern environmental challenges through disciplined collective action.

The spiritual purpose remains central, however. For Balinese Hindus, Nyepi represents the ultimate exercise in self-restraint and purification. While visitors can experience this unique cultural phenomenon throughout Bali, areas with significant Hindu populations like Ubud, Denpasar, and Kuta observe the most stringent practices. Luxury resorts such as The Meru Sanur, The Westin Bali Nusa Dua, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bali Jimbaran, and Alila Ubud, typically accommodate guests during Nyepi but maintain the restrictions by dimming lights, closing outdoor facilities, and soundproofing entertainment areas. The restrictions are comprehensive: no work, no travel, no entertainment, no fires or lights, and for many, no food or speaking. Where other cultures might mark a new year with noisy celebration, Balinese tradition holds that this cosmic reset requires complete stillness—creating space for personal reflection and universal harmonizing. In a world increasingly defined by constant activity and consumption, Nyepi stands as a powerful counter-narrative—a reminder that sometimes the most profound action is, simply, to stop.

 

 

Image Source: Passion of Christ film

Divine Rapprochement: The Lenten Journey and Christological Redemption

Fasting in Christianity is more than self-denial—it is a sacred thread woven through history, from King David and the prophet Daniel to Jesus’s 40-day journey in the wilderness. This spiritual discipline finds its deepest expression during Lent, a season of purification and renewal. For Catholics, Canon Law formalizes fasting and abstinence, with Fridays, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday marked by sacrifice. Orthodox Christians embrace a complete renunciation of animal products, while Protestants tailor their fasts to personal devotion. Across all expressions, the spiritual core remains unchanged: contemplating salvation through Christ, embracing repentance, faith and baptismal covenant, while nurturing divine connection through the trinity of prayer, intentional emptiness, and compassionate giving.

Christian fasting transcends mere abstinence, intertwining with silence and solitude to craft sanctified space for deeper communion. The faithful who withdraw from perpetual consumption, nutritional, digital, or material, discover heightened spiritual acuity and awakened compassion. In embracing voluntary hunger, they embody Christ’s revelation that humanity requires more than physical sustenance. These ancient practices offer a revolutionary counterpoint to our era’s relentless connectivity, cultivating disciplined devotion and authentic renewal. The 40-day Lenten journey, beginning with Ash Wednesday’s humble dust and culminating in Holy Thursday’s twilight, prepares hearts through prayer, fasting, and merciful giving for Easter’s glorious resurrection, revealing the timeless mystery: in sacred emptiness blooms unexpected fullness.

 

 

Photo resource: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-03/ramadan-and-lent-coincide-dicastery-interreligious-koovakad.html.  Muslim worshippers attend the first Friday prayers of Ramadan in Al-Aqsa compound  (AMMAR AWAD)

Fasting, Prayer, and Forgiveness: The Essence of Ramadan

As the crescent moon signals the arrival of Ramadan 2025, will be 1446 H, Muslims around the world embark on a sacred month of fasting, reflection, and spiritual devotion. Beyond abstaining from food and drink, Ramadan is a time to cultivate patience, gratitude, and self-discipline, drawing closer to God through prayer, charity, and acts of kindness.

Night devotions (tahajjud) offer a moment of solitude, where believers seek divine closeness in the stillness before dawn. Each day of Ramadan begins with suhoor, a nourishing meal before sunrise, and ends with iftar, a time of gratitude shared with family and friends. The fast is not just about physical restraint—it is a time for purifying the heart and strengthening faith.

After 30 days of fasting, the arrival of Eid al-Fitr marks a joyful celebration known as ‘The Day of Victory’. Families and communities gather to pray, share festive meals, and seek forgiveness from one another. A cherished tradition is sungkeman, where younger family members kneel in respect before their elders, asking for blessings and forgiveness—a symbol of humility, love, and renewed kinship.

,For those looking to share the spirit of Ramadan, The Meru Sanur, Sofitel Bali Resort, and Grand Hyatt Singapore, and offer exquisite settings to iftar and celebrate togetherness. As Ramadan unfolds, it serves as a profound reminder that through devotion and discipline, the soul finds its greatest fulfillment.

 

 

Buddhism Fasting and Pilgrimage: A Path to Enlightenment

Vesak, the most sacred day in Buddhism, commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. It is a time for deep reflection, spiritual renewal, and acts of compassion.

Fasting, while not obligatory, is a common practice among Buddhists during Vesak, particularly through Upasatha fasting, observed on the 1st, 8th, 15th, and 23rd days of the lunar calendar. In Java, many Buddhists extend their fasting period for 15 to 30 days leading up to Vesak. The practice follows a structured routine: food and drink are permitted until noon, after which a complete fast is observed until the next morning.

Pilgrimage also plays a central role in Buddhist devotion. The Thudong pilgrimage, a sacred long-distance journey on foot, symbolizes detachment and spiritual discipline. In 2024, around 40 monks from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia embarked on this arduous trek to Borobudur Temple, the world’s largest Buddhist monument. The Vesak celebrations culminate here with ancient rituals—drawing holy water, lighting torches, and releasing thousands of lanterns into the night sky, symbolizing enlightenment and the liberation of all beings.

As an expression of compassion, many Buddhists also observe the tradition of releasing captive animals, such as birds and fish, back into nature—a symbolic act of kindness and a reminder of the interconnectedness of all living beings. This practice reflects the Buddhist principle of non-harm and the aspiration to free all beings from suffering.

 

 

 

The Day of Atonement: A Jewish Ritual of Renewal

As one of the oldest Abrahamic religions, Judaism embraces silence, reflection, and fasting as profound spiritual disciplines. Nowhere is this more evident than on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Judaism’s holiest and most solemn fast. Unlike other fasting traditions, Yom Kippur requires 25 hours of complete abstinence from food and water, beginning at sunset and ending after nightfall the next day.

Fasting in Judaism is both commemorative and transformative. It is observed on several sacred occasions, including Tisha B’Av, mourning the destruction of the Temples in Jerusalem, and the Fast of Gedaliah, marking the assassination of a Judean governor. But Yom Kippur stands apart—a day of deep introspection, repentance, and spiritual renewal, a time for individuals and communities to seek forgiveness and realign with their faith.

As with other Abrahamic religions—Christianity and Islam—fasting in Judaism is not just an act of self-denial but a pathway to higher spiritual awareness. It strengthens the connection between the individual and the divine, offering a moment of humility, discipline, and renewal. More than a ritual, fasting is an enduring testament to faith, a bridge between ancient tradition and modern devotion.

 

Photo doc: Westin Resort Ubud

A Universal Pause: Earth Hour – A Global Gesture for the Planet

Every year, on the last Saturday of March, as the clock strikes 8:30 PM, millions across the globe unite in a simple yet powerful act—switching off the lights for one hour. But Earth Hour, held on March 22nd, is more than just darkness; it is a global movement led by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), urging individuals, communities, and businesses to pause, reflect, and take action for the planet.

This symbolic hour is a statement, a call to mindfulness, a stand against climate change, and a commitment to sustainability. In a world constantly illuminated by artificial lights and digital distractions, Earth Hour offers a rare opportunity to disconnect from excess and reconnect with nature.

For just one hour, the world slows down, and in that quiet, we are reminded of our responsibility, to tread lightly, consume consciously, and protect the only home we have.