self-mortification

/'self,mɔ:tifi'keiʃn/
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Thân thiện
self-mortification

A monk practices self-mortification by fasting in his cell.

Definition

Noun: 1. Voluntary self-punishment: The act of inflicting pain, discomfort, or hardship upon oneself, typically as a means of atoning for perceived wrongdoing, sin, or moral failing. It is a deliberate and often severe practice aimed at spiritual purification, discipline, or penance.

Usage

The term "self-mortification" is used to describe a conscious, often ritualistic, act of self-denial or self-inflicted suffering. It is most commonly associated with religious or ascetic contexts where individuals seek to purify the soul, demonstrate piety, or repent for sins. It is a formal term.

Examples
  • The monk practiced self-mortification by fasting for weeks and sleeping on a stone floor.
  • In some historical traditions, self-mortification was seen as a path to spiritual enlightenment.
  • Her acts of self-mortification, such as wearing a hair shirt, were intended as penance.
Advanced Usage
  • "To engage in self-mortification": This phrase is used to describe the active practice of these acts.
    • He engaged in extreme self-mortification to atone for his past actions.
Variants and Related Words
  • Mortification (n): Can be a broader term for severe embarrassment or humiliation, but in religious contexts, it shares the meaning of subduing bodily desires through discipline.
  • Asceticism (n): A lifestyle characterized by abstinence from sensual pleasures, often for spiritual goals; self-mortification can be a part of ascetic practices.
  • Penance (n): An act of self-punishment or devotion performed to show repentance for sin; self-mortification is a form of penance.
Synonyms
  • Self-flagellation
  • Self-punishment
  • Self-denial (in its most severe forms)
  • Penance
Antonyms
  • Self-indulgence
  • Hedonism
  • Pampering
Related Phrases/Concepts
  • Hair shirt: A rough garment worn next to the skin as a form of self-mortification.
  • Fasting: Deliberate abstinence from food, often practiced as a form of self-mortification.
  • Discipline of the flesh: A phrase describing practices aimed at subduing physical desires, which may include self-mortification.
self-mortification

A monk practices self-mortification by fasting in his cell.

Noun
  1. voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for some wrongdoing

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