Asceticism
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Asceticism describes a life characterized by abstinence from worldly pleasures (austerity). Those who practice ascetic lifestyles often perceive their practices as virtuous and pursue them to achieve greater spirituality. Many ascetics believe the action of purifying the body helps to purify the soul, and thus obtain a greater connection with the Divine or find inner peace. This may take the form of self-mortification, rituals or renunciations of pleasure. However, ascetics maintain that self-imposed constraints bring them greater freedom in various areas of their lives, such as increased clarity of thought and the ability to resist potentially destructive temptations.
Religious motivation
Self-discipline and abstinence in some form and degree is a part of religious practice within many religious and spiritual traditions. A more dedicated ascetical lifestyle is associated particularly with monks, yogis or priests, but any individual may choose to lead an ascetic life. Shakyamuni Gautama (who left a more severe ascetism to seek a reasoned "middle way" of balanced life), Mahavir Swami, Anthony the Great (St. Anthony of the Desert), Francis of Assisi, and Mahatma Gandhi can all be considered ascetics. Many of these men left their families, possessions, and homes to live a mendicant life, and in the eyes of their followers demonstrated great spiritual attainment, or enlightenment.
Antonym
See also
- Aesthetism (opposite)
- Arthur Schopenhauer
- Altruism
- Cynic
- Ctistae
- Decadence (usually opposite)
- Egoism (opposite)
- Epicureanism
- Fakir
- Fasting
- Flagellant
- Gustave Flaubert
- Hedonism (opposite)
- Hermit
- Lent
- Minimalism
- Monasticism
- Ramadan
- Rechabites
- Sensory deprivation
- Simple living
- Stoicism
