Self Denial?

[GhostFighter]

What is Self Denial? Why do some people practice it?

I know its not only for religious buffs cause some ancient soldiers used to do it as well.

[KarateEd]

Self-denial, as Merriam-Webster defines it, is simply a restraint or limitation of one's own desires or interests. It may be practiced for many reasons, but, I believe most use it to accomplish more narrow goals, such as saving money, getting a good test grade, or earning a higher MA rank. However, if practiced often enough, self-denial builds self-discipline and enables one to accomplish larger, broader goals.

Studying for a test is a good example. Usually one can find something that is more immediately gratifying than studying for a test. However, that "more fun" activity is put off in order to study and, hopefully, do well on a test. Do well on enough tests and you pass the class, end up with a diploma, get a good job, etc. Continuously give in to the dangling fruit of immediate gratification and, while you may be temporarily (short-term) satisfied, you are poorly prepared for long-term, meaningful accomplishment. Over time, self-denial becomes a habit (or part of one's "personal culture") that allows one to set long-term, high goals AND stay the course until the goal is achieved. A lack of self-denial often ends with instant gratification becoming one's personal culture. Instant gratification makes the accomplishment of long-term goals difficult because of the inability to deal with obstacles that cause set-backs and difficulty in doing that which one simply doesn't want to do or that which is challenging or difficult.

I hope this helps to answer your question.

Ed

[bushido_man96]

Good definition and description, Ed. Thanks for that. I was pretty clueless on it.