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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Thursday, July 26, 2018
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
Quote of the Day: "I never think of the future - it comes soon enough." - Albert Einstein
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
Quote of the Day: "Hope is but the dream of those who wake." - Matthew Prior
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
Quote of the Day: "You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need." - Vernon Howard
Monday, July 23, 2018
Gr8 to be your friend...!
Quote of the Day: "Blessed is the man, who having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact." - George Eliot
Sunday, July 22, 2018
Quote of the Day: "The buried talent is the sunken rock on which most lives strike and founder." - Frederick William Faber
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