TODAY’S STOIC... There are some conspicuous gaps in the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus. They don’t talk much about love, about laughter, about how to be a good spouse or parent. They don’t talk about having a good time or the joy of experiencing (or creating) art. Despite what critics--and small-minded philosophy professors--might think, this is not because the Stoics didn’t think these things were important. It’s simply that they thought these things were obvious and came naturally enough that they didn’t require much teaching. As Seneca wrote, “No one learns to lie down contentedly in a bed of roses, if the need arises, but rather we steel ourselves for this: to not betray a confidence under torture, or to stand guard, though wounded, through the night if the need arises, without even leaning on an upright spear, since sleep has a way of sneaking up on those who lean against some support." In other words: We practice what we need the most help on and we don’t waste time reviewing what we already have handled. Pleasure comes easy. Dealing with life when everything is going well, that’s easy. The purpose of Stoic writing is to aid us in the times that aren’t easy, when things aren’t going well. Marcus made the same point when he talked about putting the effort into what seems impossible--to develop skills with your left hand because your right hand is already dominant enough. So remember, while these writings might seem like they focus on a few dark themes (death, loss, pain, temptation, self-control), it’s not because life is dark and without joy. On the contrary, there is much light and joy out there. That’s actually the problem. We can get so distracted by the pleasantness, what we wish life was like all the time, that we ignore in our training the essential preparations for the not-so-pleasant moments. We don’t need help appreciating the beauty of a rose. But for the other stuff? Well, we’re practicing and preparing for it so we don’t get snuck up on

TODAY’S STOIC... There are some conspicuous gaps in the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Epictetus. They don’t talk much about love, about laughter, about how to be a good spouse or parent. They don’t talk about having a good time or the joy of experiencing (or creating) art. Despite what critics--and small-minded philosophy professors--might think, this is not because the Stoics didn’t think these things were important. It’s simply that they thought these things were obvious and came naturally enough that they didn’t require much teaching. As Seneca wrote, “No one learns to lie down contentedly in a bed of roses, if the need arises, but rather we steel ourselves for this: to not betray a confidence under torture, or to stand guard, though wounded, through the night if the need arises, without even leaning on an upright spear, since sleep has a way of sneaking up on those who lean against some support." In other words: We practice what we need the most help on and we don’t waste time reviewing what we already have handled. Pleasure comes easy. Dealing with life when everything is going well, that’s easy. The purpose of Stoic writing is to aid us in the times that aren’t easy, when things aren’t going well. Marcus made the same point when he talked about putting the effort into what seems impossible--to develop skills with your left hand because your right hand is already dominant enough. So remember, while these writings might seem like they focus on a few dark themes (death, loss, pain, temptation, self-control), it’s not because life is dark and without joy. On the contrary, there is much light and joy out there. That’s actually the problem. We can get so distracted by the pleasantness, what we wish life was like all the time, that we ignore in our training the essential preparations for the not-so-pleasant moments. We don’t need help appreciating the beauty of a rose. But for the other stuff? Well, we’re practicing and preparing for it so we don’t get snuck up on
by Jm Moran

July 26, 2018 at 10:02AM
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