All spiritual traditions prescribe some form of self-abnegation in the name of purifying the vessel:
Jesus fasted in the desert,
the Islamic mystics called themselves "Fakirs" (Poor Ones),
Nachiketha jumped into the fire in the Katha Upanishad...and yet, the Buddha spoke against severe austerity in favor of the "Middle Way", the path of moderation.
What is austerity, really?  
In this video we explore the esoteric principle behind purification practices and I suggest a few indispensable techniques to incorporate into your spiritual life right away.  
Also, we have a lengthy discussion on what the REAL purpose of spiritual practice is; we diagnose why it might be that despite all the meditating and attending Vedanta lectures, we might still not be "manifesting our divinity in each movement of life."

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