Flagellation

Flagellation was and is practised in rituals of sects and religions including Christianity. It appears to arouse biological and psychic excitation and may result in [paranormal consciousness]

, religious fervour and psychopathological mystic states. When used as a form of voluntary penance, flagellation aims to promote conquest of self, expiation of an individual's sin or that of others, and the receiving of divine grace. As an ascetic exercise or "discipline" of the monastic life it was considered second only to martyrdom in bringing the individual close to Christ and his passion, and is still considered a useful corporal penance if undertaken under spiritual direction. Public processions of flagellants, particularly common during the middle ages and especially during times of plague, were a form of group penance and expiation.