Changes

In the popular [[imagination]], asceticism is considered a sort of perversion (e.g., self-flagellation by birch twigs as the [[archetypal]] stereotype of [[self-mortification]]). However, the askēsis enjoined by religion functions in order to bring about greater freedom in various areas of one's life (such as freedom from compulsions and temptations) and greater [[peace]]fulness of mind (such as a concomitant increase in [[clarity]] and [[power]] of [[thought]]).

In the popular [[imagination]], asceticism is considered a sort of perversion (e.g., self-flagellation by birch twigs as the [[archetypal]] stereotype of [[self-mortification]]). However, the askēsis enjoined by religion functions in order to bring about greater freedom in various areas of one's life (such as freedom from compulsions and temptations) and greater [[peace]]fulness of mind (such as a concomitant increase in [[clarity]] and [[power]] of [[thought]]).

<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Asceticism''''', follow [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Asceticism '''''this link'''''].</center>

<center>For lessons on the [[topic]] of '''''Asceticism''''', follow [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Category:Asceticism '''''this link'''''].</center>

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

The adjective "ascetic" derives from the ancient Greek term askēsis (practice, training or exercise). Originally associated with any form of [[discipline]]d [[practice]], the term ascetic has come to mean anyone who practices a renunciation of worldly pursuits to achieve higher [[intellectual]] and [[spiritual]] goals.

The adjective "ascetic" derives from the ancient Greek term askēsis (practice, training or exercise). Originally associated with any form of [[discipline]]d [[practice]], the term ascetic has come to mean anyone who practices a renunciation of worldly pursuits to achieve higher [[intellectual]] and [[spiritual]] goals.