Throughout history, we observe rituals and religious practises where men torture themselves physically and psychologically. They convince themselves that they are doing these rituals such as walking on burning coals, piercing their bodies (impaling), denying themselves food, water or clothing, to please their God.
Barring murder in the name of sacrifice, all other self-inflicted torture suggests a certain yearning to discover if there is a reality beyond the physical. 'Are we matter or beyond' is the question for which answers are sought by savages through extreme means.
In Hinduism, there are stories of enlightened beings, Rishis, who sought liberation through hard penance that included going without food or water for a prolonged period of time, all the while chanting some mantra or thinking about certain God. The story is concluded by saying the God they meditated upon was pleased and appeared before them to grant them what they wished for.
Begs the question, did God come over or did the Rishi realise that there is a reality that transcends the material universe? The Rishi might as well have concluded that their dependence on anything material has more to do with mind than requirements of their body. Mind dictates to body when the spirit is dormant. An awakened spirit silences the mind by taking control of the body.
Barring murder in the name of sacrifice, all other self-inflicted torture suggests a certain yearning to discover if there is a reality beyond the physical. 'Are we matter or beyond' is the question for which answers are sought by savages through extreme means.
In Hinduism, there are stories of enlightened beings, Rishis, who sought liberation through hard penance that included going without food or water for a prolonged period of time, all the while chanting some mantra or thinking about certain God. The story is concluded by saying the God they meditated upon was pleased and appeared before them to grant them what they wished for.
Begs the question, did God come over or did the Rishi realise that there is a reality that transcends the material universe? The Rishi might as well have concluded that their dependence on anything material has more to do with mind than requirements of their body. Mind dictates to body when the spirit is dormant. An awakened spirit silences the mind by taking control of the body.
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