What is stoicism- and how can it be an effective mindfulness tool? In this article, we will teach you how you can apply the principles of this ancient practice in your day-to-day life.
Five hundred years ago all of humanity’s problems stem from our inability to sit quietly in a room alone. Over-stressed, overworked, over-stimulated, these were the problems that people had in the ancient world too, but they still managed to pass a pearl of wisdom that can help us find that calm, that serenity, that peace within the noise of everyday life.
So, let’s get started!
Stoicism is like a medicine of the mind.
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Table of Contents
What does it mean to be stoic?
A person is stoic when he or she can endure the pain or hardship without showing their feelings or without complaining. It’s someone who handles the problems without showing too many emotions.
But there is so much more to the word stoic, it’s not just an adjective. It’s a philosophy.
What is stoic Philosophy?
Stoicism is a school of thought that has been around for 2000 years. You can use stoicism as a way to deal with failures or obstacles and tragedies, in a way that allows you to move forward with courage and confidence.
The great stoics including Marcus Aurelius viewed stoicism as a way of life. The central idea of stoicism has given guidance to great leaders throughout world history. As we examine that stoic wisdom through this article, you might see why this stoic wisdom is so powerful, accessible, and timeless.
Marcus Aurelius once said, “It’s silly to try to escape other people’s faults. They are inescapable, so just try to escape your own.” Now, this is a central idea in stoicism.
Stoicism or Stoic Wisdom?
At the most literal level, it’s an ancient philosophy from Greece and Rome, but when people hear the philosophy they say that it’s not practical and that it’s not for them. But I think that stoicism is the most practical of all the philosophies.
The entrepreneur Tim Ferris would say that it’s like a personal operating system and I think that’s why people like Marcus Aurelius (who’s the emperor of Rome), Cato (who is the senator who challenges Julius Caesar), and why great artists and writers and entrepreneurs, and soldiers throughout history have used this stoic philosophy because it helps them solve the problems of life.
If we’re trying to capture stoicism in a single quote it would be hard to do better than Marcus Aurelius, as he says: “Objective judgment now at this very moment, unselfish action now at this very moment, willing acceptance now at this very moment, of all external events that’s all you need.”
“A blazing fire makes flame and brightness out of everything that is thrown into it.” –Marcus Aurelius
The three disciplines are the discipline of perception, that’s how you see things, that’s the discipline of action, that’s the kind of actions you take in the world, and then you will know how you endure and bear the difficulties and suffering of life.
Stoicism was founded in Athens by Zeno in the early third century BC. He’s was a merchant, who suffers a shipwreck, and lost everything, and then he discovers the stoic philosophy in the process and then three sorts of next most famous stokes I think illustrates just how diverse a philosophy this is.
Most Famous Stoics:
Marcus Aurelius who’s the emperor of Rome (and he was the most powerful man on earth), Epictetus (who was born a slave and would go on to found his school), and we also have Seneca (who is Rome’s most famous playwright but he’s also a political adviser and he’s also one of Rome’s richest men).
So in a way, this philosophy was designed for both extreme and adversity. Unlike some philosophies which are sort of removed from the world theatrical. Stoicism is designed for the man and the women of the world.
The stoic is in the marketplace, in the senate, on the battlefield, it’s making a great work of art. Stoicism is there for us, sort of as an inner compass, it’s an operating system that’s guiding us to live our lives without temptation and suffering and difficulty and stress.
“Stoicism is the philosophy that can guide us, that can help us navigate the difficulties of life in a very practical and real way.”
The stoic Wisdom:
Stoic Wisdom #1: Examine what is and is not in your control
You must also accept that the decisions and behaviors of other people are very rarely are in your control. For instance, in a relationship with someone, you can’t control someone’s emotions, perceptions, and what they like.
So, stoicism says, you cannot control another person’s thoughts, you can only control your own. So, take control of what you can do in this situation and respect their boundaries.
A perfect example of this idea is this prayer: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot control, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
Note: Stoicism is not bout walking around without any emotions.
Stoic Wisdom #2: Understanding what’s behind your emotions
If you find yourself experiencing negative emotions that are leading you to make negative decisions. Then Stoicism encourages you to take a step out of your negative emotions and see how you can steer yourself to a more positive and neural direction.
Our life is what our thoughts make it. –Marcus Aurelius
Stoic Wisdom #3: Modern Approached to Psychology and Therapy (Cognitive Behavioral Theory)
Stoicism also shows up a modern approach to psychology and therapy. In the 1970s, a psychologist begins to build the foundation of cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy. These are the techniques that psychiatrists use with patients today to treat symptoms of depression and anxiety.
FAQs
Wisdom of Life?
Stoic Wisdom #1: Examine what is and is not in your control
Stoic Wisdom #2: Understanding what’s behind your emotions
Stoic Wisdom #3: Modern Approached to Psychology and Therapy (Cognitive Behavioral Theory)
Ryan Holiday Stoicism?
You can read more about stoicism by Ryan Holiday, here.
Daily Stoic Ryan Holiday?
Check out this Calm Masterclass on Stoicism by Ryan Holiday for daily stoic wisdom.
How to be More Stoic?
Please refer to the above-mentioned stoic wisdom to become more stoic.
Introduction to Stoicism
Stoicism is like a medicine of the mind. A person is stoic when he or she can endure the pain or hardship without showing their feeling or complaining. It’s someone who handles problems without showing too many emotions.
But there is much more to the word stoic, it’s not just an adjective. It’s a philosophy.
Epictetus once said, “It’s not the events that upset us, but our judgment about the events.”
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