Asceticism

see also: Etymology of Asceticism

The asceticism is a voluntary discipline of the body and spirit helping to tend towards a perfection. The word is borrowed (1580) from Christian Latin asceta, asceteria (Ve S.), “monk or nun, monastery or convent”. Before this religious direction, the Greek askêsis “exercise” applied to many arts and trades, in particular the athletes. The ascetic attitude appears in India, in particular in the yoga , it has a place in the majority of the personal religions. Each tradition prescribes its exercises, often around the Jeûne and of the Prière, but one finds also the Méditation, the Mortification or of the Gymnastique S. the practice is assiduous, but it does not aim the performance, a reward, or a magic gift. The Masters intend themselves to point out a higher ideal, which cannot be desired but given, like the Santé, the Bonheur, the Sagesse, the hello, or the Nirvāna. This renouncement of the fruits of the act all while being entirely devoted is to it a religious discovery which is transmitted since to other fields, like the Art.

Presentation

The asceticism indicates in spirituality a sober life without superfluities. Such a life aims at the same time health and the optimal wellbeing and the conscience of what is essential. The asceticism makes it possible to increase and maintain the sensitivity of the body. That makes it possible to better feel the direction (" the esprit") our own actions and of what arrives to us.

It is often forgotten that the asceticism has also a intellectual connotation. It aims at a rigorous reflection (logical) which integrates felt and allows to remain in contact with the thought in images. Such dreams for example. One finds there also the techniques known as of " understanding of the esprit" who allow a moral asceticism which gives up the ego (centrism) towards more compassion and of love.

According to the schools and the religions this sobriety can be more thorough. One will find various forms of body drive consequently there. But this drive never is cut thought, lived and research of the Juste and good to realize. Asana S and Pranayama in the Yoga, Martial arts and other techniques of the body in the Buddhism. The religions of the Book also know the more or less secret asceticism and its techniques. The Règle of Saint Benoit EP aims at a balance between manual work and the prayer. One finds there also fasts. Other techniques aim at avoiding what harms the conscience of the body: (excess of) meat, drugs, alcohol etc

These body practices very aim at finding natural body balance: freely set up spinal column, slackened belly, free breathing centered on the expiry. It is this body freedom which makes it possible the body to feel all that arises without tension, nor conditioning.

See too

Fast, Prayer
Religion harappienne, Yoga, Hatha yoga, Buddhism

External bonds

Master's paper on apathy

Bibliography on the subject

Nietzsche, Genealogy of morals , critical of the ascetic ideal.

Sources of the article