DIOGENES - MIND

<BODY> <CENTER><FONT SIZE=5><B><FONT SIZE=6>DIOGENES</FONT><BR> THE CYNIC</B></FONT></CENTER><P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>Mind over Matter</B></FONT><P> <TABLE ALIGN=Left BORDER=0 CELLSPACING=2 CELLPADDING=1> <TR> <TD><IMG ALIGN=Left SRC="0807a.jpg" WIDTH="101" HEIGHT="250" ALT="ST SIMEON STYLITES"></TD> </TR> </TABLE> <FONT SIZE=4><B>THE WAY OF THE ASCETIC</B></FONT><BR> By rejecting all property, goods and conventions, Diogenes focussed on mastery of the one thing of value that was his, his soul. Socrates had encouraged simplicity of living, but Diogenes lived the life of a true ascetic. He is said to have rolled his barrel over hot sand in summer and embraced statues in winter to train the body to hardship. <A HREF="../t03/g004.html" TARGET="_top">Asceticism</A> served two purposes. It allowed the ascetic to focus on spirit rather than body. It also acted as public conscience, a reminder of man's self imposed chains of materialism.<P> <FONT SIZE=4><B>ASCETICISM</B></FONT><BR> Asceticism, became popular in early Christianity, where the rigid denial of bodily desire reached heights far beyond Diogenes' attempts to train his body to endure hardship. The Christian ascetic saw mortification of the flesh as an avenue to holiness. Likewise, his rejection of property, status, social convention and even family ties was carried to extremes. Many became total hermits. St Simeon Stylites spent thirty-six years living on top of a pillar, in prayer and devotion.<BR clear=left> <BR clear=left><BR> <HR width=100%> <A HREF="http://www.creatorix.com.au"><IMG SRC="../creatorix.gif" WIDTH="85" HEIGHT="40" BORDER="0" ALT="Creatorix" align=right></A> </BODY>