Answer

For your first Ekasana, keep it simple and do it with a calm, devotional mind.

Ekasana means eating only once in the day, in one sitting, with self-control and awareness.

What You Should Do

• Decide your intention: Do it for self-discipline, reducing attachment to taste, and spiritual purification.
• Choose a suitable time: Eat one meal during the day, traditionally before sunset.
• Eat in one sitting: Once you get up from the meal, the eating is considered complete.
• Eat simple food: Avoid overeating. Take sattvic, Jain-appropriate food.
• Stay peaceful: Avoid anger, gossip, unnecessary entertainment, and negative thoughts.
• Do some dharma activity: Recite Navkar Mantra, do Samayik if possible, read Jain teachings, or practice forgiveness and humility.

Important Practical Guidance

• If you have health issues, are elderly, pregnant, taking medication, or unsure about fasting, please ask a doctor or a knowledgeable elder before doing it.
• Since it is your first time, do not be harsh on yourself.
• Drink water according to the vow/tradition you are following and guidance from your family or guru.

Spiritual Understanding

Ekasana is not only about eating once. Its deeper purpose is to reduce desire, control the senses, and turn the mind toward the soul. The main bhav should be:

• less attachment to food,
• more awareness,
• more compassion,
• more inner purity.

Takeaway

For your first Ekasana, eat once, eat simply, stay calm, chant Navkar Mantra, and keep your mind in dharma. The purity of your intention is more important than doing it perfectly.