What is it? In English it is quite a difficult word.
Asceticism is a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from sensual pleasures, often for the purpose of pursuing spiritual goal. Ascetics may withdraw from the world for their practices or continue to be part of their society, but typically adopt a frugal lifestyle, characterised by the renunciation of material possessions and physical pleasures, and also spend time fasting while concentrating on the practice of religion or reflection upon spiritual matters. Various individuals have also attempted an ascetic lifestyle to free themselves from addictions, some of them particular to modern life, such as money, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, entertainment, sex, food, etc.
To be honest I can relate way more to the German wikipedia article. I use google translator to translate the text I am lazy this evening and don't have much time. Recenty I go to bed way too late.
Here a part of the German wikipedia article translated by google translater.
Asceticism (Ancient Greek ἄσκησις áskēsis), occasionally also asceticism, is an expression derived from the Greek verb ἀσκεῖν askeín 'practice'. Since antiquity it has referred to a practice within the framework of self-training for religious or philosophical reasons. The aim is to acquire virtues or skills, self-control and strengthening of character. The practitioner is called an ascetic (Greek ἀσκητής askētḗs).
Ascetic training involves disciplining both thought and volition and conduct. On the one hand, this includes "positively" persistently practicing the desired virtues or skills, and on the other hand "negatively" avoiding everything that the ascetic believes stands in the way of achieving his or her goal. The starting point is the assumption that a disciplined way of life requires the control of thoughts and drives. The most striking effect on everyday life consists in the voluntary renunciation of certain comforts and pleasures that the ascetic considers to be a hindrance and incompatible with his ideal of life. In most cases, the renunciation primarily affects the areas of stimulants and sexuality. In addition, there are measures for physical and mental training, in some cases also exercises in enduring pain.
Okay now my part. I am no expert and I don't know much. But when I was a teenager I sympathized with asceticism. Not concerning sexuality though. I think I was influenced by domestic abuse as a child. I think the way I practiced it was detrimental. I found the idea appealing to dedicate my life to a higher purpose. In truth I was just kind of obsessed to gain power because of my nightmarish childhood. But I was ambivalent. I had this desire to gain power but I wanted to reach it in my own moral way. Honestly my approach was not healthy. It was way too extreme. I currently try to find a milder version of it. I am extremely self-disciplined. Probably due to my abuse. It was a way to punish me. Though this disclipline is sometimes also benefical. When I was a teenager it was way too extreme. It caused severe suicidal thoughts. but my mania contributed to this extreme form.
I like this notion of higher virtues. It seems to give life a meaning. Currently one of my virtues is to educate me. And in some form this can comfort me. It seems to give life some sort of purpose. But it eats you alive. When it becomes too extreme you become unhappy and your are always scared that you are not enough (e.g. educated).
I was always interested in philosophy. I wanted to achieve something in my life. I had these metaphysical goals which potentially could have contributed to a materially very well life. Though due to the fact I became mentally ill on my way I fear I will suffer poverty. I think for a well life often the metaphysical and material components should be fulfilled.
I was prepared to suffer on my way. Though the suffering was too extreme. Mostly because of my mental illness. The usual average suffering is no problem for me. But this extreme insane pain no thanks I think I rather quit. This is the moment when I moved this thread from recovery in off-topic. I cannot really sell this as a good way to live when it backfired so much in my case.
Though in general I think asceticism has the potential to be helpful I am very ascetic concerning drugs. I don't drink alcohol, never took other illegal drugs. Though my guilty pleasure is coffee. I admit that. But my abstinence of drugs helped to stabilize me. My condition would have been probably way worse if drugs would have been a way to cope with my pain. I am also very abstinent concerning food. I don't eat sweets since almost a decade. Many people in family say they could never have the discipline for this life style. I don't know in some way of form this discipline gives you self-esteem. You are proud of you how disciplined you are. when you reach your goals etc. Though maybe I am just too obsessed what others think of me.
I like self-control but maybe I am just too neurotic and I suffer from OCD. There are some pathologies which accompanied my asceticism. I also wanted io strengthen my character with that. I think in some way of form I reached that. Though I wanted to have extreme self-control of my life and neglected necessities like sleep this led to my collapse. But as I said mania was also responsible for that.
I would have liked to elaborated more on the details. But I really should go to sleep ealier. Probably almost noone will care about it anyway.
Asceticism is a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from sensual pleasures, often for the purpose of pursuing spiritual goal. Ascetics may withdraw from the world for their practices or continue to be part of their society, but typically adopt a frugal lifestyle, characterised by the renunciation of material possessions and physical pleasures, and also spend time fasting while concentrating on the practice of religion or reflection upon spiritual matters. Various individuals have also attempted an ascetic lifestyle to free themselves from addictions, some of them particular to modern life, such as money, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, entertainment, sex, food, etc.
To be honest I can relate way more to the German wikipedia article. I use google translator to translate the text I am lazy this evening and don't have much time. Recenty I go to bed way too late.
Here a part of the German wikipedia article translated by google translater.
Asceticism (Ancient Greek ἄσκησις áskēsis), occasionally also asceticism, is an expression derived from the Greek verb ἀσκεῖν askeín 'practice'. Since antiquity it has referred to a practice within the framework of self-training for religious or philosophical reasons. The aim is to acquire virtues or skills, self-control and strengthening of character. The practitioner is called an ascetic (Greek ἀσκητής askētḗs).
Ascetic training involves disciplining both thought and volition and conduct. On the one hand, this includes "positively" persistently practicing the desired virtues or skills, and on the other hand "negatively" avoiding everything that the ascetic believes stands in the way of achieving his or her goal. The starting point is the assumption that a disciplined way of life requires the control of thoughts and drives. The most striking effect on everyday life consists in the voluntary renunciation of certain comforts and pleasures that the ascetic considers to be a hindrance and incompatible with his ideal of life. In most cases, the renunciation primarily affects the areas of stimulants and sexuality. In addition, there are measures for physical and mental training, in some cases also exercises in enduring pain.
Okay now my part. I am no expert and I don't know much. But when I was a teenager I sympathized with asceticism. Not concerning sexuality though. I think I was influenced by domestic abuse as a child. I think the way I practiced it was detrimental. I found the idea appealing to dedicate my life to a higher purpose. In truth I was just kind of obsessed to gain power because of my nightmarish childhood. But I was ambivalent. I had this desire to gain power but I wanted to reach it in my own moral way. Honestly my approach was not healthy. It was way too extreme. I currently try to find a milder version of it. I am extremely self-disciplined. Probably due to my abuse. It was a way to punish me. Though this disclipline is sometimes also benefical. When I was a teenager it was way too extreme. It caused severe suicidal thoughts. but my mania contributed to this extreme form.
I like this notion of higher virtues. It seems to give life a meaning. Currently one of my virtues is to educate me. And in some form this can comfort me. It seems to give life some sort of purpose. But it eats you alive. When it becomes too extreme you become unhappy and your are always scared that you are not enough (e.g. educated).
I was always interested in philosophy. I wanted to achieve something in my life. I had these metaphysical goals which potentially could have contributed to a materially very well life. Though due to the fact I became mentally ill on my way I fear I will suffer poverty. I think for a well life often the metaphysical and material components should be fulfilled.
I was prepared to suffer on my way. Though the suffering was too extreme. Mostly because of my mental illness. The usual average suffering is no problem for me. But this extreme insane pain no thanks I think I rather quit. This is the moment when I moved this thread from recovery in off-topic. I cannot really sell this as a good way to live when it backfired so much in my case.
Though in general I think asceticism has the potential to be helpful I am very ascetic concerning drugs. I don't drink alcohol, never took other illegal drugs. Though my guilty pleasure is coffee. I admit that. But my abstinence of drugs helped to stabilize me. My condition would have been probably way worse if drugs would have been a way to cope with my pain. I am also very abstinent concerning food. I don't eat sweets since almost a decade. Many people in family say they could never have the discipline for this life style. I don't know in some way of form this discipline gives you self-esteem. You are proud of you how disciplined you are. when you reach your goals etc. Though maybe I am just too obsessed what others think of me.
I like self-control but maybe I am just too neurotic and I suffer from OCD. There are some pathologies which accompanied my asceticism. I also wanted io strengthen my character with that. I think in some way of form I reached that. Though I wanted to have extreme self-control of my life and neglected necessities like sleep this led to my collapse. But as I said mania was also responsible for that.
I would have liked to elaborated more on the details. But I really should go to sleep ealier. Probably almost noone will care about it anyway.
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