It’s okay to be concerned about future events, it’s not okay to worry about them.
| A Student of Stoicism | A Typical non-Stoic |
|---|---|
| Traveling with a destination | Wandering without a path |
| Focused and consistent | Lacks focus and consistency |
| Has a guiding purpose | Blown in different direction by winds of chance |
| Realizes that unhappiness is caused by our opinions about things | Thinks that other people or external things make us unhappy |
| Knows how to avoid extreme negative emotions | Experiences extreme negative emotions and doesn’t know why |
| Overcomes adversity by transforming it into something positive — keeps moving forward | Suffers from adversity and feels thwarted by setbacks |
| Is grateful to the universe | Complains frequently |
| On the way to freedom and tranquility by learning how to make sound judgements | Is enslaved by false opinions which result in negative emotions and suffering |
This should probably be considered “bathroom mirror stuff.” That does not diminish the message. The left column would make excellent material for meditative exercise.
To the Stoics, there are just three levels of Stoic learning. At the top of the pyramid is the Sage. Very few of us are fortunate enough to become this evolved. This can best be thought of as someone that is “perfectly wise.” This is where we should all be aiming. I’m certainly not there.
In the middle of the pyramid are those people that are “trying.” I count myself somewhere on this level. There can be a wide range of progression in this layer, we’ll leave it at that for now.
At the base of the pyramid is everyone else. This is composed of all the people that are not, to put it simply, trying to better themselves. I suppose that needs a bit more explanation. By “better” themselves what that infers is active study and outward effort to become wiser and improve their character. Another way of looking at these people is that they are not even aware that they lack wisdom. It doesn’t take a great deal of imagination to draw a picture in your mind of what sort of person that is. The beliefs they do carry they arrive at through social conditioning.
The Progressors, the middle layer, are those that have a clear understanding they are not wise (and we can assume would like to be, but understand clearly that is a long path that only few are successful in achieving.)
To sum this up and (perhaps) put it into perspective, to make progress we must realize two things: First, we must realize that we are imperfect, and Second, we must have a desire to improve and be taking active steps to improve. Keep in mind, it’s okay if most or your progress consists in the desire to make progress. Also, steps should be taken every day, in some way, to make progress. If you can say that, you are well on your way to being a solid “Progressor.”
Each of these exercises can be the inspiration for a Stoic discovery. They can be used as a meditation to reveal “responses” that will be useful in times of difficulty or stress.
Only cowards use lies to further their desired goals. It is our public duty to discern truth from lies and act only upon the truth.
The movement of the water has no ability to change the nature of the light falling upon it. Remember then, change has no ability to alter the philosophy that you know and cherish.
Enjoy what you have, accept that someday those things may be gone. Do not give things power over you. Appreciate, but do not insist that something is necessary for happiness, because after all, happiness is inside of you, not something to be gained by overt pursuit.
It is wise to be like Abraham Lincoln when you find yourself in disagreement with someone. Write them a letter and carefully explain why they are wrong, then fold it up and put it in a drawer. It is easy to fight back, but that almost always ends in regret. When the time is right to share thoughts, the opportunity will present. That is when constructive exchange can occur.
Remember, no matter how much you try to force remembrance of yourself on others, all you are doing is building castles in the sand. None of that remembrance will be significant, and perhaps even resented, when you are gone. Be content to be remembered for what you stood for, not for the memorials you built to yourself.
Yes, I subscribe to this notion personally. I also sent this to the White House via its online contact page and addressed it to President Donald J. Trump.
All situations, and how we perceive them, require our active participation; Therefore we have control of our perception by the very nature of owning our perception.
What you read in these entries is not original, what you read in these entries is practice. Using great minds to seek the right path is as beneficial as having a great mind, for truly, what is the difference? It is the path that matters most.
It’s easy to act, using thoughtful words is harder and takes great study, patience, and preparation.
Defining when you will be happy or under what conditions you will allow happiness to consume you is foolish. The wise man looks for reasons to be happy every moment, not for reasons to be happy in the future.
It doesn’t matter what the desire is, the value we place on it determines whether that desire is uplifting or debasing. Where we set our heart will determine our ultimate satisfaction. Keep our desire and our heart pure. Simply put, wish not, want not.
Do not judge, but do study how the life of someone that indulges in evils actually works out. Happiness is not within their grasp, far from it. Don’t be like them.
Conduct your life as if you were seated at an elegant banquet. Take moderate and humble portions of what comes your way. If something passes you by, do not insist it come back, if you desire it, wait for it to come to you rather than get up from your seat and chase it down. In this way, all things will come to you in their proper time. Enjoy the present moment and that which is in front of you.
Boy Scouts are told to “Be Prepared.” Good advice for anyone. Prepare for adversity by keeping your mind agile and open to seeing not just what you hope will happen, but all possibilities. This is how you master your freedom.
Our happiness begins and ends with our choices. We control our attitude, our responses, and our happiness.
Don’t make things harder than they need to be. Allowing emotion to creep in where it has no benefit only makes the task set before you more difficult. The actions on the path to virtue are simple, as long as you don’t cloud them with emotion.
Many of the things that upset us are largely a product of our fears and imagination, not rooted in reality. The more real our approach to issues, the more clear our perception.
“Fix” our intelligence, in other words, don’t forget to use it. We have all the intelligence we need, it is forgetting to use it that gets us into trouble.
Guard yourself from being carried away with pleasure. You should always be able to say no to pleasure, not to deny yourself, but to confirm that you are your own master.
Every time you get upset, a little bit of life leaves your body. Guard your emotions like you would precious jewels.
Seek to make sure your understanding of fairness and justice is strong enough to combat the temptations of affluence and authority.
There is nothing more bent on its own strength without reason, nothing more arrogant, nothing more insane than anger.
Practice avoiding anger by examining how others wield it and make a note to stay off that path.