Stoic Steps. . .
Stoicism is a tool in the pursuit of self-mastery, perseverance, and wisdom: something one uses to live a great life, rather than some esoteric field of academic inquiry.
But it’s as a philosophy where Stoicism shines. Some of the most influential figures in history practiced and preached it — maybe you’ve heard of Epictetus, Seneca, or Marcus Aurelius?
How about Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, or Theodore Roosevelt?
A very simplified way to discuss it as a philosophy is mind over matter; the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions.
The ancient Stoics developed a comprehensive philosophical system comprising logic, physics, and ethics. In the Roman period, writers such as Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius focused on how people might apply Stoic principles to daily life.
At the core of Stoicism is the idea that in order to live a good life we need to develop a character shaped by the virtues of wisdom, moderation, courage, and justice. This is something completely within our control and can be achieved no matter what the circumstances.
By not allowing oneself to be controlled by the desire for pleasure or fear of pain, by using one’s mind to understand the world and to do one’s part in nature’s plan, and by working together and treating others fairly and justly, the Stoics argue that we can all attain the goal that we all share – a good, happy life.
What matters most for anyone wanting to live a good life – and surely, we all do – is developing the right frame of mind.
It is not what happens to us but how we think about it and how we respond to it that shapes the quality of our lives. We are often too quick to judge events, situations, and other people without pausing to think whether our judgements are fair or justified.
More often than not the judgements we make are unwarranted and they colour our experiences in an unhelpful way, sometimes generating negative feelings of resentment, jealousy, bitterness, fear, or anger. The Stoics argued that these negative feelings are not the product of events themselves but how we think about them; as such it is entirely within our power to avoid them by changing the way we judge things.
Peace and Love, Jim
#stoic #thedailybuddha
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