Asceticism

In general, asceticism refers to practices of severe self-discipline and the renunciation of physical indulgence, typically for religious reasons. While many religions embrace some form of self-denial, ascetic austerity is more inclined toward extreme deprivation, isolation, and physical self-harm. Often underlying this is a spirit-matter dualism (also characteristic of mysticism) that denigrates materiality in order to elevate spirituality. Although John Wesley's own practices occasionally bordered on asceticism (e.g., frugality, self-discipline, and fasting), Wesley adamantly opposed the ascetic tendencies of self-harm and hermitic isolation.