Stoicism
What is Stoicism?
Stoicism is a philosophy thought to have originated by Zeno in Greece around 300 B.C.
During the time of the Roman Empire stoicism was heavily practiced. Cato, a rival of Julius Caesar, was one of its strongest believers.
The philosophy was practiced for many centuries before falling out of favor.
In the 1970s the work of William Irvine and Ryan Holiday brought a renewed interest. Stoicism is the basis for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (C.B.T.).
When people think of someone being “stoic”, they usually think of a person void of emotion. But true stoicism is to be in control of your emotions, despite outward situations.
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Principles of Stoicism
Similar to Buddhism, there is not a belief in a single deity. Instead, nature, and the universe, and everything exists as ONE whole. Everything is divinity.
You are in control of emotions and not controlled by feelings.
Live simply without an over-attachment to material possessions.
Your goal is to be one with nature.
Moderation is key in all things.
A life of discipline is required.
Based on actions and not mere discussion.
You should live a life of virtue including the practice of: Wisdom, Self-discipline, Justice, and Courage.
Leaders of Stoicism
Marcus Aurelius – An Emperor of Rome, he wrote down his beliefs each evening in his diary. This diary was published and titled, “Meditations.” This book is the basis for the Stoic Philosophy.
“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be One.”
Marcus Aurelius
Epictetus – Though he was born a slave, he went on to form a school and teach some of Rome’s greatest minds, including, Marcus Aurelius.
“What really frightens and dismays us is not external events themselves, but the way in which we think about them. It is not things that disturb us, but our interpretation of their significance.”
Epictetus
Seneca – Considered to be Rome’s best playwright, he was also an advisor to Nero. His letters are a source of stoic philosophy.
“If what you have seems insufficient to you, then though you possess the world, you will yet be miserable.”
Seneca
Famous People Who Practiced Stoicism
Fredrick the Great – Allegedly had the words of the Stoics in his saddlebags when he rode into battle.
George Washington – During the winter of Valley Forge, when his troops were at an all-time low, Washington had a play about Cato performed to try and boost morale and help his troops put their suffering into perspective.
Thomas Jefferson – When he died, there was a copy of a book about Seneca beside his bed.
Adam Smith – This economist’s theories on Capitalism were influenced by the philosophy of the world’s interconnectedness based in Stoicism.
How to Practice Stoicism
- Seneca, who was wealthy, suggested living in discomfort or poverty a few days each month. His theory was that people spend their lives in fear of losing their comfortable lifestyle and facing financial hardships. If they actually practice living in that state that fear will lose its hold on them.
- Turn bad situations into good by reframing them. Look at problems as opportunities or a chance to learn new ways of dealing with obstacles. Every problem can be turned into a learning experience. Good or bad doesn’t exist in Stoicism. Only the perception of good and bad.
- Start a journal. Many stoics kept journals on a daily basis. First thing in the morning think of the things you are grateful for and focus on the qualities you want to live by during the day. In the evening, look at the day’s events and learn from them. Then think of how to use those lessons in the coming days.
- Notice ways you can help others or contribute to caring for nature. When you focus on others your problems seem less and you don’t worry about them as much.
- Temper your desires by realizing how fleeting possessions are. We work so hard to obtain things that then lose their appeal shortly thereafter. Being a person of character matters, temporal things do not.
- Take a step back or a step up and look down on life from a wide lens. Look at the ocean or the night sky and realize that you and your problems are small on the scale of the universe. Put things into perspective. We worry about the details when life is so much larger than our daily problems. Marcus Aurelius called this “the view from above.”
- Think of the worst thing that can possibly happen. Prepare for the worst and then know you can handle whatever comes at you.
- Instead of feeling panicked and depressed over not having enough money, a stoic would start to think of practical ways to make more money such as: sending out resumes to find a better, higher paying job, find a second job, start a sideline business, or cut expenses. They take action to improve their situation instead of dwelling in the bad feelings the situation causes.
- Be aware of what you can and cannot control. Don’t worry about circumstances or situations that you can’t control:
“The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control. Where then do I look for good and evil? Not to uncontrollable externals, but within myself to the choices that are my own . . .”
Epictetus
- It is when we try to control everything around us that we become overwhelmed and depressed. We can’t fix the world and many things make us sad. Being able to let go of that need for control frees us to be happy even when times are tough.
Stoicism is not based on endless discussions of philosophical questions. Hand in hand with mindfulness, It is a day by day way of living your life. It makes you stronger by preparing you to deal with hard circumstances, by showing you how to turn tough situations into learning experiences, and how to keep your ego in check by realizing your place in the universe.