The Ascetic Use of the Body

Introduction to a collection of essays which intends to investigate the way in which an ascetic becomes aware (and makes conscious experience) of the mechanics of his/her own body. Without denying any religious and/or social aspects of the ascetic way of life, the bodily experience is primarily knowledge – perception – use of the apparatuses of which the body is made. The sensations ascetics would like to inhibit, for example, are generated by bodily movements, which involve muscles, joints, tendons. In brief, it is proprioception, that is the sensitivity of the subject to sensations, with which ascetics are concerned. are concerned. One