The Stoic Way: Embracing Mindful Awareness for Self-Control

 A Story of a Stoic

Avidius Cassius was a Roman general in his birthplace Syria. He was appointed by Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor at the time. Cassius was considered a close friend and one of the most trusted generals to the emperor. However, after hearing some news about the deteriorating well-being of the emperor, Cassius declared himself an emperor and assumed the throne.  Reasonably, any emperor would be within their right to be offended by such a betrayal and act according to it. We can take a look at the Roman emperor Nero, who killed his mother because he wanted to rule independently.

Surprisingly, that wasn't Marcus' reaction to the news. He told his soldiers that they would march to Syria to secure the throne. Instead of killing Cassius, he would: "forgive a man who has done wrong, to be still a friend to one who has trodden friendship underfoot, to continue faithful to one who has broken faith." He wasn't affected by external circumstances, especially the actions of others against him, he instead chose to understand the actions of the general and forgive him exemplifying the essence of Stoicism. Such an act showcases strong character and a great understanding of human nature. 

In this post, we will talk about the meaning of Stoicism, some of its principles, and how we may carefully assess which action is appropriate depending on the situation.

What is Stoicism? 

Stoicism philosophy teaches the rejection of pleasure, and self-control as a way to combat negative and destructive emotions. According to this philosophy, impartial thinking permits us to understand the nature of the universe and what's inside it. 

Maintaining inner peace and virtue in the face of external circumstances is vital to rise above negative emotions such as anger and resentment as we have seen in Marcus' story. It teaches us the importance of cultivating tranquility and indifference to events outside of our control. Stoicism emphasizes virtue and living per one's moral compass, rather than being swayed by others' actions. External circumstances are inevitable. We are social creatures and our behavior can be unpredictable, so things don't always go our way. But how we handle a situation can play a big role in what the outcome will be. 

 In the critically acclaimed movie The Godfather, after Michael Corleone kills Solozzo and Captain McCluskey, he flees to Italy in an attempt to avoid the assassination of the mafia families. After Michael's father, Vito realizes that the mafia knows his son's whereabouts, so he calls for a meeting for the 5 big families. Despite the intensity of the situation due to his son's life being at risk and other mafia families thinking he was weak and frail. Vito displayed self-control, focus, and measurement in his responses, navigating a complex and dangerous situation. Solely because of his composure and ultimately Stoic demeanor was Vito able to accomplish his end goal of bringing his son back to safety, and proving to other mafia families he is still capable. Focusing on what is within our control and accepting life's uncertainties helps us foster inner strength and tranquility amidst external circumstances.

Principles of a Stoic

To be a stoic, one must adhere to a set of principles, and through personal experience, strive to refine and strengthen one's character. Some of these principles we talked about in our previous post Exploring Virtue(Courage and Justice). Essential principles beyond the ones discussed previously include:

Wisdom: Stoicism encourages us to seek knowledge, harvest insight, and rational understanding. Wisdom enables us to navigate life's challenges effectively and comprehend aspects that we would otherwise be oblivious to. Experience plays a crucial role as it allows us to delve into subjects with greater depth, empowering us to perceive beyond our initial limitations. This becomes evident when learning a new sport, studying at the university, or acquiring any desired skill. The more we experience things the more we understand them on a deeper level.

Patience: Stoicism emphasizes living in harmony with our inner flow and aligning ourselves with the external flow of life. It teaches us that taking shortcuts only leads to circling back in confusion. In certain situations, we may encounter adversity for our actions, or even for simply existing. Although we may feel inclined to convince others and occasionally succeed, it is not always guaranteed. In the words of Marcus Aurelius, "The capacity for patience was given to us for a reason"

The Dark Knight Rises

Indifference: Stoicism teaches us not to fall victim to things outside of our control. Developing a mindset of unaffection by the uncontrollable aspects of life, such as external events, other peoples' opinions, or material possessions. 

We can understand from these principles that personal growth, wisdom, and especially virtue are important parts of being a Stoic. This is necessary because our actions derive from our morals and conscience rather than from what public opinion wants us to do. Recognizing that we are true to ourselves and content with who we are, rather than being dependent on external factors, is what Stoicism is all about.

Embracing Stoicism with Mindful Awareness

We should always approach philosophical merits with mindfulness. For Stoicism has its own potential drawbacks and criticisms associated with it if taken to an extreme. Some of the things to be mindful of are:

Emotional Suppression: Indifference and self-control are heavily advocated for in Stoicism, without carefulness, this could lead to an attitude of detachment. Which would then result in an unrealistic expectation of always remaining indifferent to life's circumstances.

Reduced Emotional Experience: Stoicism stresses the importance of composure, but this approach may reduce the richness of emotional experiences and the ability to fully engage in life. This is evident in interpersonal relationships, where an individual's indifference toward external events can limit their shared experiences with friends or a significant other.

Prioritization of Personal Interests: Strong emphasis on inner tranquility and self-improvement may downplay the importance of social and collective responsibilities and empathy.

Inflexibility: Stoicism's focus on accepting circumstances as they are may hinder the ability to be flexible, particularly since sacrifices are necessary to achieve our goals. This inflexibility can impede our capacity to adapt to change. 

Bringing it All Together

The prior criticisms do not negate the value of Stoicism; rather, they encourage a rational and critical approach to this philosophical concept. It is important to personally evaluate what aligns best with our goals and values, which is precisely what Stoicism advocates for. Rational thinking, wisdom, and patience are central to Stoicism, promoting personal growth and enriching our human experience. 

Contemplating our aspirations and endeavors is vital for this purpose. Recognizing when things may reach extremes as Stoicism helps us gauge ourselves and make necessary adjustments for personal development, and the betterment of the quality of life.

By incorporating courage, justice, patience, wisdom, indifference, and other great principles of Stoicism in our daily lives, we can enhance our well-being and live a more fulfilling existence.

TiMER

We all need a Stoic in our lives.

Thank you for taking the time to read! We found this topic incredibly captivating and approached it with great enthusiasm. If you found it interesting as well, leave a comment and tell us what you think about it. We look forward to exploring other facets of this subject in future discussions and delving into areas we haven't yet had the chance to explore.

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