Mortification of the flesh

Mortification or self-mortification (from Latin castigatio, punishment '), in the medieval German Kestigung called voluntary privations and suffering for a greater good sake.

As a form of asceticism appears mortification when you to restrict or killing of impulsiveness or the sensuality takes upon himself ( " mortification of the flesh ") with the goal of becoming inwardly free for higher targets. Such mortification happens, for example, by the deprivation of food or sleep through fasting and nocturnal prayer or wearing hair-cloth shirts, Bußgürteln, or a Ciliciums.

Mortification can also be a kind of penance and atonement. Sometimes it comes from such practices and to the endurance of pain. In public spaces such mortification was practiced in particularly spectacular form of the flagellants or flagellants.

In Christianity, mortification may also in terms of Compassio, physical or Nachvollzugs with the suffering of Christ, done. The Compassio in spiritualized sense in which it is about compassion in emotional pain, however, can not be understood as mortification.

In Islam, there is the self-flagellation. An example of the Shias are those who mourn and Bußrituale occasion of the Shiite passion plays, especially at Martyrs Memorial Ashura.

Forms of mortification in the sense of asceticism, there are almost in all cultures.