Has anyone here any experience or anecdotes about the use of devices such as cilice and hairshirts?
Christian examples I know but I'm also interested in similar gear or ideas other viewpoints might have that have a similar role.

Bump.

If one were into such a thing, it would seem like self-flagellation would be the easiest, most convenient and affordable way to punish your own flesh.

But man, that really seems borderline retarded. I value pleasure over pain, so I guess I just can't relate - although it would be somewhat comical to watch someone else doing it.

Describe the spiritual high you get from it. I'm curious.

I don'd do it heh. Just came across some article about some Italian politician that does it as part of her membership to the Opus Dei and was amazed.
I wouldn't want to auto-class it as self harming behaviour but I'm sure alot of psychiatrists and other such types wouldn't share my restraint and yet we have a person who is in relatively high standing openly admitting to it and not getting sectioned.
I've never been to Italy though and don't know the culutre so perhaps they are all abit more cool with stuff if it's in the name of the big fella.

pleasure & pain are one in the same

and I am not joking

its not even fun some times

Mainly you would get endorphins, same thing you get from "everyday" pain. This is one reason why cutters cut themselves and why runners run.

I used to be one of those idiots who got up at 5:30 am to run seven miles, only got the classic runners high once. Not unlike mescaline, w/o the visuals.

__________________
"If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." -- I Corinthians, 3:18-19

I feel good after exercising, too. Rowing and hiking are my physical highs of choice. The pain is just a reminder that I'm doing something good for my body. I just can't wrap my mind around causing pain without benefit, though.

The only mortification I'll be participating in will be fueled by vanity. Tweezing, waxing and hardcore exfoliating. Oh yeahhhh.

Yeh muay thai is my personal choice for endorphin fun, pain and exertion rolled into one. Came out of the gym feeling quite literally ready to do it all over again more times than I can remember.
Regardless I am still intrigued by the idea, I have a bracelet that with a little bit of modification would serve a similar role to a cilice so I might just try it out for a month or so.
I'm not sure quite what I intend to find out especially as I am not particularly religious but if it's anything worthwhile I shall report.

Maybe its a similar emotional hoo-ha for the people who practice mortification.

Think about it: You feel a need to make yourself look 'better' in the eyes of potential lovers because you don't think things would work out as well if went as you look at the moment.

Maybe people who practice mortification do it because they view themselves as wicked "in the eyes of God", and feel a need to punish themselves to make themselves 'better'?

Or maybe its a sexual thing.

I must take strong exception to this. I once had a bisexual gal as a GF--she said she was 99% gay and I was the other one percent.

Anyway, one time some of her lesbian friends were dissing her for shaving her legs, saying the practice was counter-feminist. Her reply -- "Fuck you--I'm doing this for myself. I like having smooth legs." Point being, don't assume you know why anyone goes in for any sort of cosmetic stuff.

Personally, I got a lot of compliments when I had about a foot of hair cut off, but I did it for myself--just got tired of messing around with long hair, getting it tangled up on buttons and stuff.

__________________
"If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." -- I Corinthians, 3:18-19