asceticism
Severe spiritual discipline
Asceticism is the practice of severe self-discipline and abstention from physical pleasures, typically for spiritual purposes.
Monks and mystics across many traditions have embraced asceticism—fasting, celibacy, poverty, isolation—believing that denying the body elevates the soul.
The word extends to any rigorous self-denial: His asceticism about food bordered on obsessive.
An ascetic is one who practices it.
Economical resource management
- simplicityLack of complexity
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
- self-denialRestraining one's own desires
- sobrietyUnimpaired mental state
temperance · plainness · spartan · severity · stringency · modesty · bareness · starkness
Ability to restrain impulses
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
- self-disciplineRegulating one's own behavior
- regimenPrescribed course of treatment
- restraintControl over impulses
practice · dedication · perseverance · rigor · consistency · habituation · mortification · penance
Profound spiritual awakening
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
- mokshaRelease from rebirth cycle
- meditationFocused attention practice
- contemplationSustained reflective attention
piety · holiness · devotion · purification · transcendence · detachment · renunciation · sacrifice
Cloistered religious devotee
- nunHebrew alphabet's fourteenth
- abbotMonastery's chief cleric
- abbessFemale monastic leader
- novitiateReligious training period
cloister · convent · monastery · hermitage · cell · obedience · vows · habit
Uncomplaining acceptance of difficulty
- cynicismDistrust of human sincerity
- neoplatonismRevival of Platonic metaphysics
- epicureanismPursuit of refined pleasures
- ataraxiaImperturbable peace of mind
virtue · dharma · self-examination · logos · indifference · detachment · reason · moderation
frugality
Economical resource management
- simplicityLack of complexity
- abstinenceVoluntary forgoing of indulgences
- self-denialRestraining one's own desires
sobriety · temperance · plainness · spartan · severity · stringency · modesty · bareness · starkness · pared-down
self-control
Ability to restrain impulses
- willpowerMental strength resisting impulse
- self-disciplineRegulating one's own behavior
- regimenPrescribed course of treatment
restraint · practice · dedication · perseverance · rigor · consistency · habituation · mortification · penance · fasting
enlightenment
Profound spiritual awakening
- nirvanaRelease from cyclical existence
- mokshaRelease from rebirth cycle
- meditationFocused attention practice
contemplation · piety · holiness · devotion · purification · transcendence · detachment · renunciation · sacrifice · celibacy
monk
Cloistered religious devotee
novitiate · cloister · convent · monastery · hermitage · cell · obedience · vows · habit · tonsure
stoicism
Uncomplaining acceptance of difficulty
- cynicismDistrust of human sincerity
- neoplatonismRevival of Platonic metaphysics
- epicureanismPursuit of refined pleasures
ataraxia · virtue · dharma · self-examination · logos · indifference · detachment · reason · moderation · wisdom
- Jain practicespuja, ahimsa, diksha, tapas, dana
- religionChristianity, Islam, beliefs, Judaism, Hinduism
- spiritualitysacred, enlightened, divine, holy, spiritual growth
- abstinencesobriety, celibacy, chastity, teetotalism, fasting
- beliefsbelief, beliefs, creed, creeds, faith
- ismscapitalism, socialism, communism, anarchism, racism
asceticismhedonism
Pursuit of gratification
sybaritism · epicureanism · sensualism · self-indulgence · indulgence
asceticismmaterialism
Prioritizing goods over spirit
acquisitiveness · greed · avarice · consumerism · extravagance
asceticismluxury
Expensive nonessential comfort
extravagance · opulence · lavishness · profligacy · prodigality