Concept in Definition ABC

The Greek word asketés refers to the person who exercises physically or mentally for some purpose. Therefore, asceticism is that doctrine in which it is proposed to exercise the human spirit to strengthen it.

In the language asceticism is associated with austerity and in this sense an ascetic is a person who renounces material goods, since his approach vital is oriented to spirituality.

Asceticism can be understood from a philosophical point of view or from the perspective religious.

Philosophical asceticism

For the ancient Greeks, asceticism originally alluded to the physical exercise of athletes. However, this idea was adapted to the dimension spiritual of the individual. In this way, some philosophers defended the need to train emotionally in order to acquire certain habits that would strengthen the soul.

The philosophers in favor of asceticism understood that the human being is sensitive and can suffer all kinds of ailments and so that this does not affect him excessively it is convenient to exercise with a

training mentally and, above all, with habits that strengthen their character. Cynical philosophers practiced a certain asceticism, since they lived with the minimum indispensable and they only depended on themselves. This austere and independent way of living had one purpose: not to depend on anyone and not have the need to bow to anyone.

The ascetic model of the some Greek philosophers (especially the Stoics, the Epicureans and the Cynics) influenced notably in Roman thinkers like Seneca, in Christianity and in some contemporary approaches (for example, in the movement hippie in the 1960s).

Religious asceticism

The ascetic philosopher exercises to perfect his earthly life, while the religious ascetic withdraws from the world because his vital approach is projected towards eternal life.

At the origins of the tradition Christian, some believers decided to withdraw from everyday life and dedicate themselves to the contemplative life. Some did it with a drastic approach (for example, Simeon the Stylist remained for 37 years completely alone on a platform) and others founded monasteries to lead a life devoted to prayer and retreat.

In any of the versions of him, the Christian ascetic seeks God and to achieve it he exercises his soul with great austerity, through prayer and doing spiritual exercises.

Religious asceticism is not exclusive to Christianity, since under other names it is also practiced in Buddhism or Islam.

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