Ancient mourning involved self-torture to please lingering ghosts and prevent their return home. [1] Co-operation with Adjuster does not entail self-torture but loving service towards eternal destiny. [2] Self-torture and painful cutting were common in ancient initiation ceremonies, designed to harden and prepare youths for life's hardships. [3]
Older ideas of self-discipline embraced physical torture, with priests of the mother cult leading by example through castration, as Hebrews, Hindus, and Buddhists followed suit. [4]