Ascetical theology is the organized study or presentation of spiritual teachings found in Scripture and the Church Fathers that help the faithful to more perfectly follow Christ and attain to Christian perfection. The word ascetic is from the Greek word askesis, meaning practice. The English term ascesis means "the practice of self-discipline" (OED). Christian asceticism is commonly thought to imply self-denial for a spiritual purpose. The term ascetical theology is used primarily in Catholic ...

Including:

• Ascetical theology - Who is Christ and what reason is given for following
• Ascetical theology - Essential concepts in ascetical theology
• Ascetical theology - Other religious traditions
• Ascetical theology - Eastern Orthodox
• Ascetical theology - Protestant
• Ascetical theology - Islam

Read more here: » Ascetical theology: Encyclopedia - Ascetical theology

Including:

• Dervish - Religious practice
• Dervish - Historical and political use

Read more here: » Dervish: Encyclopedia - Dervish

Various forms of self-denial or voluntary suffering (commonly referred to as Ascetism) are practised in various ways by members of many religions, including Christianity (particularly Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic monks, and numeraries of the Prelature of Opus Dei), Islam (particularly in Sufism and Shi'a Islam). Various indigenous peoples also incorporated voluntary pain, suffering, and self-d ...

See also:

Mortification of the flesh, Mortification of the flesh - Forms, Mortification of the flesh - Practices in Different Religions & Cultures, Mortification of the flesh - Jewish practices, Mortification of the flesh - Etymology and Christian roots, Mortification of the flesh - Examples of mortification of the flesh in Christian history, Mortification of the flesh - Modern Christian theology, Mortification of the flesh - Recent Church documents, Mortification of the flesh - Pain as means for a higher end, Mortification of the flesh - Pain is to be loved relative to the positive end, Mortification of the flesh - Pain as an integral part of human nature united to the Person of Christ, Mortification of the flesh - The teaching of Pope John Paul II: the salvific meaning of suffering, Mortification of the flesh - Need for suffering, Mortification of the flesh - Process of revealing the meaning of suffering, Mortification of the flesh - Joy in suffering: sharing in the redemption

Read more here: » Mortification of the flesh: Encyclopedia II - Mortification of the flesh - Practices in Different Religions & Cultures

Asceticism denotes a life which is characterized by refraining from worldly pleasures (austerity). Those who practice ascetic lifestyles often perceive their practices as virtuous and pursue them to achieve greater spirituality. Many ascetics believe the action of purifying the body helps to purify the soul, and thus obtain a greater connection with the Divine. In a more cynical context, ascetic may connote some form of self-mortification, ritual punishment of the body or harsh renunciation of pleasure. However the word certain ...

Including:

• Asceticism - Etymology
• Asceticism - Worldly vs Otherworldly
• Asceticism - Religious vs Secular motivation
• Asceticism - Religious Motivation
• Asceticism - Secular Motivation

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A Kundalini release can be triggered by meditation, yoga, prayer, bodywork, psychedelic drugs, a life crisis (such as extreme physical or emotional trauma, a near-death experience or the death of a loved one), childbirth, menopause, certain ascetic or sexual practices, and so forth. Kundalini can also awaken spontaneously from no apparent cause. This out-of-the-blue Kundalini arousal occurred in my own case in 1991. Since then, I have communicated with hundreds of people whose Kundalini rose involuntarily, initiating a long transformative process.

Read more here: » Kundalini: Danger, High Voltage - Kundalini Awakening

The word ' Yog ’ is derived from the verb yuj which means to yoke, to join, to connect. The end of life is to yoke oneself to the holy spirit i.e., the Paramchaitanya. Hindu scriptures enlighten us on the various ways or margas of doing so. The union with the holy spirit is possible through Gyan Yog, Karma Yog, Bhakti Marg, Mantra Yog, Raj Yog, Sanyas Marg or Hath Yog.

The rishi-munis have particularly adopted the Gyan Yog which is possible only through Dhyan . For the householder, Karma Yog and Bhakti Marg are the most practical ways of attaining moksha. Ascetics have developed the knowledge of mantra-tantra . Hath Yogis have evolved various Aasanas, postures and occult practices for awakening the Kundalini. Shri Aadishakti Shri Mataji Nirmaladevi has advocated the Sahaj Yog for householders to attain the Parmachaitanya through the raising of the Kundalini.

(See also: Sahaj Yog, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

The Khechari Vidya

1. Now, then, a description of the science called Khechari.

2. He who has duly mastered this science, is freed from old age and death, in this world.

From "Kundalini Yoga" by Sri Swami Sivananda

Read more here: » Yoga-Kundalini Upanishad: Khechari Vidya

History of Buddhism

The history of Buddhism is the story of one man's spiritual journey to Enlightenment, and of the teachings and ways of living that developed from it.

Read more here: » Buddhism: History of Buddhism

Mortification of the flesh literally means "putting the flesh to death". The term is primarily used in religious contexts, and is practiced in a variety of ways. The institutional and traditional terminology of this practice in Catholicism is corporal mortification. Mortification of the flesh - Forms. In its simplest form, it can mean merely denying oneself certain bodily pleasures, such as by abstaining from chocolate, from meat, from food generally (fasting), from alcohol, or from sex. It ca ...

Including:

• Mortification of the flesh - Forms
• Mortification of the flesh - Practices in Different Religions & Cultures
• Mortification of the flesh - Jewish practices
• Mortification of the flesh - Etymology and Christian roots
• Mortification of the flesh - Examples of mortification of the flesh in Christian history
• Mortification of the flesh - Modern Christian theology
• Mortification of the flesh - Recent Church documents
• Mortification of the flesh - Pain as means for a higher end
• Mortification of the flesh - Pain is to be loved relative to the positive end
• Mortification of the flesh - Pain as an integral part of human nature united to the Person of Christ
• Mortification of the flesh - The teaching of Pope John Paul II: the salvific meaning of suffering
• Mortification of the flesh - Need for suffering
• Mortification of the flesh - Process of revealing the meaning of suffering
• Mortification of the flesh - Joy in suffering: sharing in the redemption

Read more here: » Mortification of the flesh: Encyclopedia - Mortification of the flesh

Saiva Siddhanta is the oldest, most vigorous and extensively practiced Shaivaite Hindu school active today, encompassing millions of devotees, thousands of active temples and dozens of living monastic/ascetic traditions. Despite its popularity, Siddhanta’s past as an all-India denomination is relatively unknown and it is primarily identified with its South Indian, Tamil form. The term Saiva Siddhanta means “the final or established conclusions of Saivism.” It is the formalized theology of the divine revelations contained in the ...

Including:

• Saiva Siddhanta - Gurus
• Saiva Siddhanta - Saints and Ascetics
• Saiva Siddhanta - Siddhas
• Saiva Siddhanta - Saiva Siddhanta Teachings
• Saiva Siddhanta - The Spread of Saiva Siddhanta
• Saiva Siddhanta - A New Siddhanta
• Saiva Siddhanta - A Dualistic Development
• Saiva Siddhanta - Saiva Siddhanta Today

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Abstinence is a voluntary forbearance from indulging an appetite or craving. Most frequently, the term refers to abstention from sexual intercourse, alcohol, or food. The practice can arise from religious prohibitions or practical considerations. It may arise from an ascetical element present in most religions, or from a subjective need for spiritual discipline. It is meant to elevate the believer beyond the normal life of desire, to a chosen ideal, by following a path of renunciation. Because the regimen is a conscious act, fr ...

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A breatharian is someone who believes that food (and possibly water) are not necessary for human sustenance. Breatharians claim that the body can be sustained solely by prana (the vital life force in Hinduism), or according to some, by the energy in sunlight. There have been no verified cases of this occurring indefinitely to date. Breatharianism or inedia may also refer to this philosophy practiced as a lifestyle in place of the usual diet. While it is often seen as an esoteric practice performed by eastern ascet ...

Including:

• Inedia - Jasmuheen
• Inedia - Prahlad Jani
• Inedia - Yan Xin
• Inedia - Roman Catholicism
• Inedia - Other explanations

Read more here: » Inedia: Encyclopedia - Inedia

The Mevlevi Order or the Mevleviye are a Sufi order founded by the followers of the Persian Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi in 1273 in Konya present day Turkey; also known as the Whirling Dervishes due to their famous practice of whirling as a form of dhikr (remembrance of Allah). Dervishes are members of Sufi ascetic religious Tarika or "confraternities", known for their extreme poverty and austerity. The Mevlevi, or Mevleviye, one of the most well-known of the Sufi orders, was founded in 1273 by Rumi's followe ...

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The Lotus position (Sanskrit: Padmasanam -- "lotus posture") is a cross-legged sitting posture which originated in representations and meditative practices of Hinduism. It is an established part of the Hindu Yoga tradition, Zen and other meditative disciplines. The position is said to resemble a lotus, encourage "proper" breathing and foster physical stability. It is perhaps the marquee image of the Eastern religious figure. Famous depictions of the lotus-posture include Shiva, the meditating ascetic god of Hindui ...

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A monk is a person who practices monasticism, adopting a strict religious and ascetic lifestyle, usually in community with others following the same path. The word comes from the Greek monachos (μοναχός), commonly translated as a solitary person, and by convention almost always refers to men (while the term nun is more commonly used to refer to female monastics), a ...

Including:

• Monk - Roman Catholic monks
• Monk - Eastern Orthodox monks
• Monk - Anglican monks
• Monk - Buddhist monks
• Monk - Vaishnava monks

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Nirvikalpa samādhi ( निर्विकल्प समाघि ), sometimes also spelled as ‘Nirbikalpa Samadhi’, is the highest state of samādhi, in which the aspirant realizes his/her total oneness with Brahma. It has been described as a state of absolute nothingness. One is said to be in a state of Nirvikalpa samadhi “when only the knowledge of unbroken reality remains, and the mind dissolves itself in the cosmic consciousness." Nirvikalpa - The realization. Attaining th ...

Including:

• Nirvikalpa - The realization

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Digambar, also spelt Digambara is one of the two main sects of Jainism, the other being Svetambar. The modern Jainism is generally divided into two traditions, Digambar and Svetambar. Generally Digambar monks wear no clothes (dik ambar = space clad), Svetambar (swet ambar = white clad) monks usually wear white clothes. Until the leadership of Acharya Bhadrabahu, there was no significant division. After that some divisions gradually arose. Senior Digambar monks wear no clothes, following the practice of Lord Mahavi ...

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Śāriputra (Pāli: Sāriputta; Chinese: 舍利弗 Sheli Fu) was one of two principal disciples of the Buddha. He became an Arhat renowned for his wisdom and is depicted in the Theravada tradition as one of the most important disciples of the Buddha. Śāriputra came from a brahmin family and had already embarked on life as a spiritual ascetic when he encountered the teachings of the Buddha. Śāriputra had a close friend Mahamaudgalyayana, another wandering ascetic. They both renounced the world on the same day and became disciples of the sceptic Sañj ...

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Apathy is the lack of emotion, motivation, or enthusiasm. Apathy is a psychological term for a state of indifference — where an individual is unresponsive or "indifferent" to aspects of emotional, social, or physical life. Clinical apathy is considered to be at an elevated level, while a moderate level might be considered depression, and an extreme level could be diagnosed as a dissociative disorder. The physical aspect of apathy associated with physical deterioration, muscle loss, and lack of energy is called lethargy � ...

Including:

• Apathy - Apathy in common and religious terms

Read more here: » Apathy: Encyclopedia - Apathy

Ajivika is an anti-Brahminical philosophy, which literally translates to "following an ascetic way of life". The Ajivikas were contemporaries of the early Buddhists and historical Jains; the Ajivika movement may have preceeded both of these groups, but may have been a more loosely organized group of wandering ascetics. Very little concrete information is known about the Ajivikas. Their scriptures and history were not preserved directly- instead, fragments of Ajivika doctrine were preserved in Buddhist and Jain sources, and they are me ...

Read more here: » Ajivika: Encyclopedia - Ajivika