> And true, one risk is that one would be happy with himself and isolate himself. But those traditions know and try to manage those risks.
Sorry, at least in Indian mythology the "ascetic" is idolized and glorified (they exhibited superpowers through their isolated meditation). In what way is this "managing those risks"?
Developing various cartoon superpowers is mostly used in the context of being denounced as being of inferior value compared to that tradition's idea of spiritual salvation. So I am not sure if that can be taken as promoting asceticism.
Leaving mythology aside, different spiritual traditions strive towards different goals.
Sikhism rejects outward asceticism...
"Asceticism doesn't lie in the earring, nor in the shaven head, nor blowing a conch. Asceticism lies in remaining pure amidst impurities."
Hinduism is a very mixed bag. A one of the most popular ideals involves working towards outcome in a non-attached way...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karma_yoga
Jainism probably has the most ascetic spiritual ideal among the indian traditions.
Sorry, at least in Indian mythology the "ascetic" is idolized and glorified (they exhibited superpowers through their isolated meditation). In what way is this "managing those risks"?