What you can learn from stoicism
Stoicism is an ancient philosophy that has gained popularity in recent years because of its focus on accepting circumstances and controlling our own emotional reactions. The Stoics believed that the key to finding happiness and inner peace lay in learning to accept what we cannot change and in cultivating virtue and self-control.
One of the fundamental teachings of Stoicism is the idea that we must learn to distinguish between what is in our control and what is out of our control. The Stoic philosopher Epictetus wrote, "Do not worry about the things that are not in your power; worry about the things that are in your power." This teaching reminds us that we cannot control external circumstances, but we can control our attitude toward them and our own actions.
In contemporary society, we are constantly exposed to situations that are beyond our control: from the loss of a job to a serious illness. At times like these, it can be tempting to panic or give in to anxiety. However, stoicism invites us to accept what we cannot change and to seek inner serenity through self-control and virtue.
Another important teaching of Stoicism is the idea of cultivating virtue as a means to happiness. The Stoics believed that true happiness lies not in the satisfaction of material desires or the attainment of power and prestige, but in the practice of virtue and the pursuit of the common good. For the Stoics, virtue consisted in living in accordance with reason and seeking the welfare of others.
In modern life, we often find ourselves focused on the pursuit of happiness through material consumption and competition for success and recognition. However, Stoicism reminds us that true happiness lies in the practice of virtue and the pursuit of community welfare rather than personal fulfillment.
One of the best-known Stoic practices is death meditation, which consists of reflecting on one's own mortality and remembering that life is fleeting. This practice aims to remind us of the fragility of existence and motivate us to make the most of every moment. By meditating on death, the Stoics believed that we could overcome the fear of the unknown and live a fuller and more conscious life.
In contemporary society, we often avoid talking about death and prefer to focus on the pursuit of immediate pleasures and satisfactions. However, death meditation invites us to reflect on the finiteness of life and to value each moment as if it were our last. By facing our own mortality, we can find a greater sense of urgency and purpose in our lives and learn to appreciate the beauty and fragility of existence.
Stoicism offers us a number of teachings that can be very useful in everyday life. Through the practice of accepting what we cannot change, cultivating virtue and self-control, and meditating on death, we can find inner peace and lasting happiness. By learning to live according to Stoic principles, we can overcome fear, anxiety and dissatisfaction and find a greater sense of serenity and purpose in our lives.