For the majority of my life, I’ve been a student of Stoic philosophy.
Yet, as someone who actively practices Stoicism, I regularly encounter curious looks or skeptical questions about my philosophical preference.
The skepticism often comes during friendly gatherings when casual conversations lead to discussions about personal beliefs and principles.
It also comes from those close to me who can’t fathom why I choose to live my life based on philosophical tenets from ancient Greece and Rome.
And, it doesn’t fail to come from those who wonder if Stoicism is a viable framework for modern living.
I believe society places too much emphasis on seeking happiness through external circumstances, leading many people to feel ungrounded and dissatisfied.
This societal pressure often results in individuals overlooking the power they hold over their own feelings and experiences.
By the end of this article, I hope to have shown you that there is no harm in adopting Stoic principles, just as there’s no harm in not doing so. The crucial point is that our decisions should stem from personal introspection and not external influences which can often lead us astray.
In this piece, I will share seven lessons from Stoic philosophy which have helped me feel more grounded in the present moment. Perhaps these lessons can provide you with a fresh perspective on how you navigate your own life.
1) Acceptance is empowering
Let’s consider the current moment.
As you read these words, various events are unfolding around the world. Countries are making political decisions, nature is following its course, individuals are living their lives. Amidst all this, here you are, reading these words.
Fact is, we have little to no control over most things that happen in our lives. We’re part of a vast, interconnected universe that operates independently of our will.
Now, this might seem daunting at first. However, the Stoics view it differently. They suggest that acceptance of this reality is actually empowering.
Why? Because it allows you to focus on the things you can control – your actions and reactions. When you stop resisting the natural flow of life and start cooperating with it, you find peace. You start living instinctively.
Instead of trying to manipulate every aspect of your life, why not create conditions that allow you to live according to your values? This way, your life’s direction will emerge from your actions, not from a futile attempt to control the uncontrollable.
Learning to accept what we cannot change is a powerful lesson from Stoicism that can help us feel more grounded in the present moment. You won’t need to struggle so much anymore.
You’ll be able to let go of trying to control life and start living it.
2) Happiness is a decision
This might strike you as a surprising concept.
Most of us are brought up to believe that happiness is an outcome. It’s a result of achieving our goals, acquiring material possessions, or being in love.
But Stoic philosophy proposes a different theory.
According to Stoicism, happiness isn’t dependent on external circumstances. It doesn’t come from outside of us. Rather, it is a decision we make, a state of mind we choose.
As Epictetus, a renowned Stoic philosopher, once said:
“Men are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of them.”
In essence, it’s not the events that upset us, but our interpretations of those events. We have the power to choose our response, to decide our feelings towards any given situation.
This might seem like an overwhelming responsibility at first glance. The thought that you are in charge of your own happiness can feel heavy.
But remember what we mentioned earlier about acceptance? The same principle applies here.
Choosing happiness doesn’t mean ignoring negative emotions or forcing a smile when you feel like crying. It’s about acknowledging your emotions and then deciding how you want to respond.
Let’s say you’re experiencing anxiety over an upcoming event. You can choose to dwell on it and let it consume your thoughts, or you can accept your worry and then direct your focus towards preparing for the event as best as you can.
Realizing that happiness is a decision can be liberating. It lets you reclaim your power from external circumstances and root it within yourself. This is another profound lesson from Stoic philosophy that can help us feel more grounded in the present moment.
3) Detachment is not apathy
There’s a common misconception about Stoicism that needs addressing.
Many people equate the Stoic practice of detachment with a lack of emotion or indifference to the world. But that’s a misunderstanding.
Stoic detachment is not about being emotionless. Rather, it’s about understanding the impermanent nature of things and choosing not to place our happiness in external factors.
Let’s delve into this a bit more.
Imagine you’ve just bought a new car. You’re thrilled with it, and it brings you great joy. But then, over time, the novelty wears off. The car gets scratched, or maybe it breaks down. Suddenly, that source of happiness is gone.
According to Stoicism, this is because you’ve placed your happiness in something temporary and changeable. The car was never going to stay new and perfect forever, and so, by placing your happiness in it, you’ve set yourself up for disappointment.
Now, applying Stoic detachment doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy the car or be upset when it breaks down. It means understanding from the outset that the car is impermanent. You enjoy it while it’s there but you don’t rely on it for your happiness.
This kind of understanding allows us to engage fully with life without being at the mercy of external changes.
4) Virtue is the highest good
Dive deeper into Stoic philosophy, and you’ll find a recurring theme: Virtue is the highest good.
Stoic philosophers like Marcus Aurelius and Seneca emphasized that living a virtuous life is the ultimate goal.
But what does this mean, and how does it help us stay grounded in the present?
The Stoics identified four cardinal virtues: wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. They believed that these virtues represented the most important qualities for a person to cultivate.
A virtuous life, according to Stoicism, is not about achieving wealth or fame. It’s not about seeking pleasure or avoiding pain. It’s about developing your character and living in alignment with virtue.
Now, this might seem like an old-fashioned concept in our modern world where success is often equated with financial wealth or social status.
But consider this: while external achievements are fleeting, your character is something that stays with you. It defines who you are.
Focusing on virtue helps us stay grounded in the present because it shifts our attention from what we want to achieve in the future to who we want to be right now. It encourages us to act with wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance in our everyday lives.
5) Negative visualization can be positive
At first glance, the concept of negative visualization might sound pessimistic or even morbid. It involves imagining loss or adversity in your life. Why would anyone want to dwell on such thoughts?
To answer that, let me share a personal story.
A few years ago, I was struck by a serious illness. It was a sudden and shocking experience. During my recovery, I had a lot of time to think and reflect.
One day, I stumbled across the concept of negative visualization in Stoic philosophy. I started practicing it, imagining what life would be like if I hadn’t recovered or if the illness had been more severe.
At first, it was uncomfortable, even scary. But over time, something shifted. I began to appreciate my health and life more deeply. Things that used to bother or stress me seemed insignificant compared to what I had imagined.
This is the power of negative visualization.
The Stoics believed that by contemplating potential loss or hardship, we learn to appreciate what we have. We become more resilient and are better prepared when adversity does strike.
It’s not about dwelling on the negative but about understanding that life is uncertain and fragile. It’s about cherishing the present moment because none of us knows what the future holds.
Negative visualization has helped me feel more grounded in the present moment and appreciate life’s simple joys. It’s a tool that can bring perspective and gratitude into our lives if we’re brave enough to use it.
6) Stoicism is more than philosophy, it’s a way of life
When we think of philosophy, we often imagine it as an abstract academic discipline, full of complex theories and intellectual debates. But Stoicism breaks that mold. It’s not just a philosophy; it’s a practical guide to life.
Marcus Aurelius, one of the most famous Stoic philosophers, was also one of the most powerful men in the world – he was a Roman emperor.
Yet, he turned to Stoicism not for intellectual amusement but as a way to navigate the challenges and responsibilities that came with his position.
His famous work, ‘Meditations‘, was essentially his personal diary, filled with Stoic principles and practices that helped him maintain his composure and integrity amidst the turmoil of running an empire.
That should tell you that Stoicism is not just about understanding philosophical concepts but about embodying them in our daily lives. It’s about practicing acceptance, focusing on our actions rather than outcomes, and striving to live with virtue.
This practical approach makes Stoicism incredibly relevant to our modern lives. No matter what we’re dealing with – be it stress at work, relationship issues or personal insecurities – Stoic principles can help us navigate these challenges with grace and resilience.
7) Embrace the dichotomy of control
Finally, one of the most profound lessons from Stoic philosophy is understanding and embracing the dichotomy of control. The Stoics believed that some things are within our control, and some things are not.
This might seem obvious, but it’s a principle we often forget, don’t we?
We stress over traffic, worry about the weather, get upset about other people’s opinions – all things we can’t control. At the same time, we neglect the things we can control – our actions, our responses, our attitudes.
Here’s where it becomes counterintuitive. While we should focus on what we can control, it doesn’t mean we should ignore what we can’t. Being aware of the uncontrollable factors allows us to prepare for them, adapt to them, and even use them to our advantage.
For instance, consider a challenging situation at work. You can’t control your colleagues’ actions or your boss’s decisions.
Instead of fretting over these uncontrollable factors, focus on what you can do – your work ethic, your problem-solving skills, your communication approach.
But don’t disregard the uncontrollable entirely. Acknowledge it, understand its implications for your work, and use this knowledge to navigate the situation more effectively.
Maybe it means developing resilience to handle criticism better or finding innovative solutions within imposed limitations.
By practicing this dichotomy of control, we become more adaptable and resilient. We feel more grounded because we know where to direct our efforts and how to make the most of any situation – no matter what life throws at us.
In conclusion: Your perception is your reality
The teachings and insights of Stoic philosophy often lead us back to a fundamental truth – our perception is our reality.
This wisdom dates back thousands of years, yet it holds a profound relevance to our modern lives. Epictetus, a revered Stoic philosopher, once said, “People are not disturbed by things, but by the views they take of them.”
This quote underscores the essence of Stoic philosophy and the seven lessons we’ve discussed – that our thoughts and attitudes shape how we interpret events, how we react to challenges, and ultimately, how we experience life.
By applying Stoic principles, we learn to navigate life with resilience and equanimity, staying grounded in the present moment.
Stoic philosophy doesn’t promise a life free from adversity. Instead, it teaches us that while we can’t control everything that happens to us, we can control how we respond.
That is the true power of Stoic philosophy. And it’s a power that each one of us holds within.
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