Asceticism - The Joy of Fasting, Flagellation and Self-mutilation Essay

Asceticism - The Joy of Fasting, Flagellation and Self-mutilation In order to achieve a spiritual understanding, people have subjected themselves to extreme self denial through fasting, flagellation and self-mutilation (The Columbia Encyclopedia). This practice of self mortification is known as asceticism. Asceticism has been known to exist since the commencement of recorded religion. This zealous religious practice is associated with many religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and Christianity (The Columbia Encyclopedia). Derived from the Greek work askesis, asceticism adheres to its definition of exercise, training, and discipline- â€Å"Ascetical practices are human strategies for spiritual living. They have elements of effort and method, deprivation, and voluntary suffering† (Larkin, O. Carm). Practicing ascetics strive for the enhancement of spiritual life as their ultimate goal. Asceticism has been implicated by many of its followers in order to â€Å"produce visions†¦mourn the dead†¦sharpen spiritual awareness†¦or reach accord with a god† (The Columbia Encyclopedia). The self-denying procedure is also a way in which to subdue sin within one’s life and restrain one’s evil inclinations. Asceticism takes many forms. It can be applied broadly as an aspect of all cultures, as social asceticism. The social regulations that control society stress individual control. Without this self-control, society would fail to survive. This method of asceticism is loosely based upon the guidelines of discipline. The more severe forms of asceticism involve those who seek a profound spiritual journey. The drastic measures taken in order to fulfill the idea of self denial ofte... ...re.com/depts/medmuseum/galleryexhibits/artthatheals/12imagesandasceticism.html Mercier, Jacques. Art That Heals: the Image as Medicine in Ethiopia. New York: Prestel Books and the Museum for African Art, 1997. This website is entitled â€Å"Images and Asceticism.† In Maugham’s The Moon and Sixpence, Charles Strickland was a character that had an ascetic ideal in his artistic environment. These images display scenes of asceticism and the sufferings that were endured in the practice. http://www.philamuseum.org/exhibitions/installations/spiritual.shtml This website also displays a painting of asceticism as was practiced in India. http://www.themystica.com/mystica/articles/a/asceticism.html This website provides a detailed background and history of asceticism. It highlights interesting stories that account for the origination of the religious practice.