“It’s time you realized that you have something in you more powerful and miraculous than the things that affect you and make you dance like a puppet.” – Marcus Aurelius
Where are we heading today?
Hey there, seeker of inner peace, growth and mental resilience. If you sometimes find yourself swept away by the chaotic tide of life, desperately yearning for a steadfast anchor to keep you grounded, well, allow us to introduce you to the powerful and timeless philosophy of stoicism. In this blog, we unravel the secrets of this ancient wisdom, teaching you how to find tranquillity amidst the storm, confront adversity with unwavering courage, and harness the astonishing potential of your own mind. Here at Freedom to Live our commitment is to only write about positive life changes, products, and ways of thinking that we are truly passionate about. That said, please be aware that this article contains some affiliate links which may earn us a commission on purchases, also rest assured, that while using these links should you choose to, will support us, it will not result in any additional cost to you. Remember, you, are your greatest gift! Article continues below..
Lives of the Stoics: The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius
For millennia, Stoicism has been the ancient philosophy that attracts those who seek greatness, from athletes to politicians and everyone in between. And no wonder: its embrace of self-mastery, virtue and indifference to that which we cannot control has much to offer those grappling with today’s chaotic world. But who were the Stoics?
In this book, Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman offer a fresh approach to understanding Stoicism through the lives of the people who practiced it – from Cicero to Zeno, Cato to Seneca, Diogenes to Marcus Aurelius. Through short biographies of all the famous, and lesser-known, Stoics, this book will show what it means to live stoically, and reveal the lessons to be learned from their struggles and successes. The result is a treasure trove of insights for anyone in search of living a good life. Purchase your copy here: Lives of the Stoics
Stoicism a brief history.
Before we explore the dynamic ways that stoicism can empower us lets take a moment to understand where this school of thought comes from.
Stoicism is a philosophy that originated in ancient Greece and was further developed in ancient Rome. It was founded by Zeno of Citium in the 3rd century BC. The philosophy takes its name from the stoa, a public porch in Athens where Zeno taught his philosophy.
Zeno’s teachings emphasized the importance of living a virtuous life, guided by reason and in accordance with nature. His philosophy aimed to help individuals achieve inner peace and tranquillity by focusing on controlling their own thoughts and emotions. In Stoicism, it is believed that one should not be disturbed by external events but rather focus on maintaining an internal sense of peace and fulfilment.
Stoicism gained popularity in Rome during the 1st century BC, largely due to its compatibility with the Roman emphasis on self-control and duty. The Stoic school gained influential followers such as Seneca the Younger, Epictetus, and the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. These philosophers further developed and popularized Stoic teachings through their writings.
Seneca wrote extensively on Stoicism, exploring topics such as ethics, virtue, and the importance of self-discipline. Epictetus, a former slave, emphasized the use of reason to achieve happiness and tranquillity, teaching that individuals should focus on controlling their own thoughts and accept the things they cannot control. Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor known for his Meditations, applied Stoic principles to his personal life and leadership.
Stoicism greatly influenced various aspects of Western philosophy, including ethics, logic, and psychology. It continued to be practiced and taught throughout the Roman Empire until its decline in the 3rd century AD. However, Stoic ideas and teachings have resurfaced in different forms throughout history and continue to inspire people seeking personal growth, resilience, and a philosophy of life in the present day.
“I judge you unfortunate because you have never lived through misfortune. You have passed through life without an opponent—no one can ever know what you are capable of, not even you.” – Seneca
Common Misconceptions about Stoicism.
Now that we have caught up with the history of stoicism, lets dispel a couple of common misunderstandings about what it is.
One common misconception about Stoicism is that it encourages you to suppress your emotions or be completely detached from them. However, this is not entirely accurate. Stoicism highlights the importance of understanding and managing your emotions rather than suppressing them. You should acknowledge and experience your emotions, but not allow them to dominate or control your actions and decisions.
Another misconception about Stoicism is that it promotes a passive or indifferent approach towards life, resulting in a lack of passion or ambition. However, Stoicism does not discourage you from pursuing your goals or being passionate. Instead, it emphasizes that you should focus on what you can control – your own inner state and actions – and be flexible and adaptable to external circumstances. Article continues below..
Letters from a Stoic: Epistulae Morales Ad Lucilium
“It’s not often you read a classical author and feel you are reading one of your contemporaries. But this is the case with Seneca in these letters which he wrote to a friend in the early 60s AD. They are affable, witty, and supremely accessible. Perhaps the most striking thing about them is their materialist discourse at a time when religious explanations were widespread.” William Zunder.
For several years of his turbulent life, in which he was dogged by ill health, exile and danger, Seneca was the guiding hand of the Roman Empire. This selection of Seneca’s letters shows him upholding the ideals of Stoicism – the wisdom of the self-possessed person immune to life’s setbacks – while valuing friendship and courage, and criticizing the harsh treatment of slaves and the cruelties in the gladiatorial arena. The humanity and wit revealed in Seneca’s interpretation of Stoicism is a moving and inspiring declaration of the dignity of the individual mind.
This book is a compelling read and a wonderful introduction to applied stoicism. Purchase your copy here: Letters from a Stoic
Introduction to the 6 key stoic principles.
Life is full of challenges, setbacks, and unexpected curveballs. How can we navigate through these turbulent waters with grace and resilience? Stoicism, an ancient philosophy founded in Athens over two thousand years ago, offers practical wisdom and time-tested principles to help us lead a more fulfilled and meaningful life. By embracing the key principles of Stoicism, such as Memento Mori, Amor Fati, Premeditatio Malorum, Sympatheia, The Obstacle is the Way, and Ego is the Enemy, you can create a mindset that fosters tranquillity, resilience, and personal growth.
1. Memento Mori: Remember Death.
In a world consumed by the pursuit of pleasure and immediate gratification, it’s easy to forget that life is fleeting. Memento Mori, which translates to “remember death,” is a potent reminder that our time on this earth is limited. Embracing this principle allows us to cherish and make the most of every moment, to prioritize what truly matters, and to avoid wasting our precious time on trivial matters. Memento Mori is not about becoming morbid, it is about choosing not to get stuck in the past, reliving past mistakes or hurts or spending time on pointless conflicts, rather, it is about being grateful to be alive now, in this moment, and making the best of whatever life and health you have now; not bemoaning what you don’t have. It’s just a state of mind that you can adopt immediately; appreciate and enjoy the now, right now and keep reminding yourself! By acknowledging our mortality, we can cultivate gratitude, mindfulness, and a sense of urgency to live a life aligned with our true values.
2. Amor Fati: Love Your Fate.
Life is unpredictable, and we often encounter situations that are beyond our control. Amor Fati, or “love your fate,” encourages us to embrace and accept whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, whether they are favourable or unfavourable. This principle teaches us to view every experience in life as an opportunity for growth, as lessons that will shape our character and resilience. Troubles and hardships come to us all, we can choose to view them as curses or as opportunities to show unconditional love to ourselves. Are you a fair weather friend to yourself? Or will you develop the depth of character to love yourself and to care and to pick yourself up when it seems that everything and everyone is against you?
By cultivating a mindset of acceptance, we can find peace amidst chaos, and elevate our lives by focusing on what we can control, i.e. our own reactions and attitudes and our commitment to being a loyal, loving, best friend to ourselves.
“I judge you unfortunate because you have never lived through misfortune. You have passed through life without an opponent—no one can ever know what you are capable of, not even you.” – Seneca
3. Pre-meditatio Malorum: The Pre-meditation of Evils.
The Pre-meditation of Evils, or Premeditatio Malorum, is an exercise in mental preparation for adversity. This is not about becoming frightened, risk adverse or hiding away from reality, rather it is about accepting that setbacks, problems and difficulties are an inevitable part of life. It’s about having a pre-set mindset that states that, if and when, problems arise you will find a way to face them and to work through them.
Stoics believe that by visualizing potential challenges and setbacks beforehand, we can develop resilience and mental fortitude to face them head-on. By contemplating worst-case scenarios in a detached and objective manner, we can lessen their impact and better navigate through them. This practice allows us to detach ourselves emotionally and think clearly, ensuring that we won’t be thrown off balance or that we won’t remain off balance for too to long, when life throws us curveballs. Article continues below..
The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Ryan Holiday is one of the world’s bestselling living philosophers. His books like The Obstacle Is the Way, Ego Is the Enemy, The Daily Stoic, and the #1 New York Times bestseller Stillness Is the Key appear in more than 40 languages and have sold more than 5 million copies.
In this book Ryan uses the principles of stoicism to examine questions such as: Where can you find joy? What’s the true measure of success? How should we manage anger? Find meaning? Conquer grief? The answers to these questions and more lie at the heart of Stoic philosophy.
The Daily Stoic is a wise, calming, page-a-day guide to living a good life, offering inspirational daily doses of classic wisdom. Each page features a powerful quotation from the likes of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the playwright Seneca, or philosopher Epictetus, as well as historical anecdotes and thought-provoking commentary to help you tackle any problem, approach any goal and find the serenity, self-knowledge and resilience you need to live well. Purchase your copy here: The Daily Stoic:
“First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” – Epictetus
4. Sympatheia: Connectedness with Humanity.
In a world that often encourages individualism, Stoicism teaches us the importance of Sympatheia, or connectedness with humanity. This principle reinforces the idea that we are all part of a larger whole, and that our actions and decisions have an impact on others. Just to be clear, this has nothing to do with becoming a people pleaser, or continuously putting the needs of others above your own. The truest expression of sympatheia should begin with you. It is to accept yourself as an individual worthy of love and self care, and to develop unconditional love for yourself. From this foundation you will have the emotional resources to connect with other human beings and to share some of the love that you have cultivated within.
By recognizing our shared human experiences, empathy, and compassion become natural responses, fostering stronger relationships and a greater sense of community. Sympatheia allows us to build a more harmonious and cooperative society, where we support and understand one another.
5. The Obstacle is the Way.
The Stoic philosophy teaches us that obstacles are not barriers to success, but rather stepping stones on the path to growth and accomplishment. The Obstacle Is the Way principle encourages us to approach challenges with a positive mindset, reframing them as opportunities for personal development and betterment. By embracing adversity, practicing resilience, and taking calculated risks, we can leverage obstacles to propel ourselves forward on the path towards success.
Seneca: Dialogues and Essays.
This exceptional volume presents the most exquisite translation of Seneca’s dialogues and essays available, showcasing the entirety of his philosophical interests. In these works, the Stoic philosopher offers guidance on navigating through difficult times in life. As tutor to Emperor Nero, Seneca’s practical philosophy reflects the issues of his time, shedding light on the intellectual debates of his era. His timeless wisdom extends to modern readers, covering a range of topics such as the brevity of life, inner peace, managing anger, showing compassion, finding happiness, and dealing with grief. Seneca’s straightforward and insightful writing style makes his work an ideal introduction to Stoic philosophy, dispelling any notions of harshness or rigidity.
“No person has the power to have everything they want, but it is in their power not to want what they don’t have, and to cheerfully put to good use what they do have.” – Seneca. Purchase your copy here: Dialogues and Essays
“How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?” – Epictetus
6. Ego is the Enemy.
The Stoics recognized that the ego, our self-centeredness, and attachment to external validation, is often the source of our suffering. “Ego is the Enemy” principle advises us to transcend our ego and focus on inner growth rather than external acclaim.
It’s normal to want a healthy amount of external validation from people we love or respect and this helps our mental well-being. However have you ever considered how much external validation is too much? And how much psychological damage we can open ourselves up to when we look for validation in the wrong places, from the wrong people and just to satisfy the cravings of our egos?
Clues that you may be driven by your ego include: feeling guilty about setting boundaries with others, overachieving in an attempt to garner praise from others, jumping from relationship to relationship without taking the time to heal because you feel you can’t be alone, comparing yourself constantly to others and feeling a chronic sense of “lack” without acknowledging your unique strengths, becoming emotionally distressed when you’re not the centre of attention and frantic attempts to recentre yourself.
There is nothing wrong with having an ego – there is nothing wrong with wanting to feel important or validated – but the ego needs to be regulated. The problems arise when our egos affect our decision making, our mood, or it turns us into victims, or the underdog, or it makes us feel superior to others in order to justify our unreasonable behaviour. If our egos are fragile sometimes they will open us up to harmful habits such as ignoring our own rights and enduring abuse to avoid being abandoned.
Remember that we also should have the healthy capacity to recognise, honour and acknowledge our positive attributes, strengths, achievements, and emotions internally; confidently knowing when we are good enough. We should also be capable of being gracious enough to recognise the achievements of others without feeling that their accomplishments diminish us.
By quieting the constant need for recognition and comparison, and employing the stoic concept of the Ego is the Enemy, we can find true contentment and freedom. Embracing humility, developing self-awareness, and nurturing our character will lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life.
Conclusion:
Stoicism offers practical guidance on how to navigate life’s challenges with grace and resilience. By adopting the key principles of Memento Mori, Amor Fati, Pre-meditatio Malorum, Sympatheia, The Obstacle is the Way, and Ego is the Enemy, you can cultivate inner peace, fortitude, and personal growth. As you embark on this journey, remember that Stoicism is not about eradicating emotions, but about honing your ability to respond to them with wisdom, virtue, and resilience. Embrace these principles, and let Stoicism guide you towards a more fulfilled and meaningful existence.
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Also remember that, “Knowledge without application is simply knowledge. Applying the knowledge to one’s life is wisdom and that is the ultimate virtue”. Kasi Kaye Iliopoulos.
Best wishes on your journey. Until next time.
Phil Freedom.
References:
- Tips to Stop Seeking Validation from Others I Psych Central.com
- How your ego is affecting your mental health | iHASCO.co.uk
