In many different religions, there are certain people or groups that experience asceticism. Usually the idea is to renounce earthly pleasures and embrace extreme religious practices, such as fasting, prayer, celibacy, not owning possessions, wearing certain clothing, pilgrimages, etc.
For example, Jain monks vow not to harm any living thing and therefore are strict vegetarians and don't eat root vegetables. They have brooms and sweep in front of them in order to avoid possibly accidentally stepping on an insect and some cover their mouths to avoid accidentally swallowing an insect.
Ancient Judaism had ascetics, who took the Nazarite vow not to eat meat or drink wine and not to cut their hair. Some groups, such as the Ebionites and Essenes were ascetic groups, who had strict rules and practices.
Likewise, athletes have clear rules and practices that set them apart from the general run of the population. Their training is a practice and ritual that is carried out daily or almost daily. Likewise, athletes might have a day of rest, like the Sabbath.
And athletes have different clothing that sets them apart from others. They are often in training groups or clubs, like monastic groups and these groups have their own rules and practices.
Athletes have different dietary practices and eat healthier food than the normal population. Top athletes also sleep more than the general population.
The word ascetic comes from the word for training or exercise in Greek. Like ascetics, athletes are very dedicated and disciplined and don't just do what the rest of the world does. They are non-conformists and extremists. They eschew a life of comfort and ease in favor of a strict regimen. They don't do what is easy- they deliberately choose the more difficult path. Rather than looking for short-term gratification, they are looking at a more distant goal.
Read more about asceticism here:
Comments