What is Stoicism?
Simple explanation – it is branch of philosophy, one that is very practical, and timeless. Stoic lessons and perspectives appear to be just as helpful today as their time of inception 2000 years ago.
I haven’t come across one stoic lesson or exercise that could not be seen as useful in the modern world as in ancient times when it was created.
To go back a step, what is philosophy? Do you need it?
Well, who knows?
You are the boss of you, so you decide, using your own individual mind.
If you have ever in your life changed your attitude, and your life became easier, then philosophy is at work.
If you have ever changed your way of thinking, even a little, and your mental and emotional load changed, and your life became better, philosophy is to thank for this.
Philosophy is the careful consideration of thoughts, emotions, and logical thinking, with the aim to live a better life. If your mind is a muddy body of water, then philosophy will calm the water, so you can see your way through it, to be able to make good decisions and enjoy your own life experience.
Many cultures have their own philosophy, providing their own attempt of how to live.
If you have studied philosophy before, you may find this a over simplistic explanation. But it’s my view and works for me, so maybe it will for you as well.
My attempt to define stoicism in a single sentence:
"The deliberate practice of regulating and reflecting on your emotions and your rationale for the specific purpose of making the most of the one life that you have".
I think this definition works best, especially for people who have never heard of stoicism before. I can explain it in a single sentence without bogging the other person down with a whole lot of words and concepts that they are likely to have never heard of before. Keep strongly in mind, that stoicism was conceived around 2000 years ago, so language and communicative expression would likely be somewhat different to the 21st century.
Throughout my future blogs you will be introduced to more specific stoic lessons and concepts.
Simple explanation – it is branch of philosophy, one that is very practical, and timeless. Stoic lessons and perspectives appear to be just as helpful today as their time of inception 2000 years ago.
I haven’t come across one stoic lesson or exercise that could not be seen as useful in the modern world as in ancient times when it was created.
To go back a step, what is philosophy? Do you need it?
Well, who knows?
You are the boss of you, so you decide, using your own individual mind.
If you have ever in your life changed your attitude, and your life became easier, then philosophy is at work.
If you have ever changed your way of thinking, even a little, and your mental and emotional load changed, and your life became better, philosophy is to thank for this.
Philosophy is the careful consideration of thoughts, emotions, and logical thinking, with the aim to live a better life. If your mind is a muddy body of water, then philosophy will calm the water, so you can see your way through it, to be able to make good decisions and enjoy your own life experience.
Many cultures have their own philosophy, providing their own attempt of how to live.
If you have studied philosophy before, you may find this a over simplistic explanation. But it’s my view and works for me, so maybe it will for you as well.
My attempt to define stoicism in a single sentence:
"The deliberate practice of regulating and reflecting on your emotions and your rationale for the specific purpose of making the most of the one life that you have".
I think this definition works best, especially for people who have never heard of stoicism before. I can explain it in a single sentence without bogging the other person down with a whole lot of words and concepts that they are likely to have never heard of before. Keep strongly in mind, that stoicism was conceived around 2000 years ago, so language and communicative expression would likely be somewhat different to the 21st century.
Throughout my future blogs you will be introduced to more specific stoic lessons and concepts.