Ascetism

This sheet of parchment is part of a collection of writings by Brother Ranoldus, located within Castle Eaglehold's libraries for any member of the Order to read.

To achieve inner peace is to have a fulfilling understanding and reconciliation with one's self. Such a peace provides a deeper understanding of the Light, for to live for its grace will provide the soul with the greatest of harmony.

The path of the ascetic is one of relinquishment and peace. The shedding of material pursuits and the abstination from the common pleasures is to seek a greater satisfaction of the mind. This must also be met with providing love and understanding to all beings who are met, providing a beacon of tolerance to others. These acts must not be an aim to reject those around, but to give reconciliation with oneself.

Carry no weapon, but bread to give.

Peace with oneself can only be achieved by providing peace to others. The act of killing is to commit atrocity to the very nature of the Light. Violent tendencies must be echewed from the mind and given introspection. Belligerence of the tongue must be mediated as well. Disagreement and debate steels the mind for intellectual rigors, but to insult is to disrupt the harmony of those around. When the fist of might unclenches to the hand of salvation do we truly understand peace.

'''The body is only a vessel. Seek not its glory or wealth.'''

The consideration for the self should be aimed for the betterment of the mind, body, and soul. To hoard fortunes and live for decadence is to provide selfish consideration to the detriment of others. Noble titles should be ignored, wealth should be distributed to the needy, and property should be used to house the homeless. Base pleasures are to be eschewed for bettering the mind. The soul needs only the body to act, and should be maintained only as necessary by eating strictly for nourishment. All possessions are unnecessary to true happiness and one should readily dispense with any belonging should it bring aid to one in need.

'''Prejudice warps the mind. Act only in love and tolerance.'''

All mortal souls are equal in the Light's grace. No being may elevate themselves by any claim of greater understanding or relationship to the Light. Conversely, no being may denounce others by claim of impure intent lest the evils themselves be visible. Holding animosity towards a being is to disrupt judgement, for acts should be commited with humility and objective certainty. Holding animosity based on preconceptions towards groups is to commit atrocity to tolerance and will seek to misguide one's determinations.