asceticism is poorly understood by modern mentality I suppose, a hard concept to get the modern mind around, a positive case is seldom made for the value of asceticism as such in and for itself (well I think you and that list of people might understand why that term is the one that comes to mind...).I don't see any correlation between minimalism and hard-heartedness. Was Jesus hard hearted? Buddha? Tolstoy? St. Frances? Mother Teresa? Sorry about the religious references--I DO know who I'm speaking with here , but the point is, these people were NOT known for being hard-hearted, and you could also describe them all as "extreme minimalists." The whole idea of minimalism is to keep material distractions at bay
I have a book on fasting that makes asceticism seem oddly appealing - "Fasting an Exceptional Human Experience" - covers medical aspects briefly and other aspects but talks a lot about fasting saints etc.. It says both (short) fasting and meditation are mild asceticism, which seems correct to me (mediation is fasting from my thoughts and I hunger for them). Yea it briefly mentions more severe asceticism like mortification of the flesh and so on but hey neither the book nor I is really recommending those.
But it is easier to talk about the practicalities of dating a guy without a car. Choke me in the shallow water before I get too deep!!! (on which I don't have absolutes (I have been told "what women want" far more than I have ever been asked), only that it takes forbearance as it's not convenient and as a practical matter you may end up driving.)
Reply With Quote
