An ascetic is a person who practices severe self-discipline and abstains from indulgence, often for spiritual or religious reasons. This lifestyle can involve renouncing physical pleasures, such as food, comfort, and social interactions, to achieve a higher state of consciousness or spiritual enlightenment. Asceticism is commonly associated with various religious traditions, including Buddhism, Christianity, and Hinduism. Ascetics may live in solitude or in communities, focusing on meditation, prayer, and other spiritual practices. Their goal is often to transcend material desires and attain a deeper understanding of themselves and the universe. Notable ascetic figures include Siddhartha Gautama, who became the Buddha, and Saint Anthony, an early Christian hermit.