What would happen if you could control everything in the universe, including everything, every action, and every result? Wouldn’t it be incredibly empowering to have control over the weather, moods, stocks, and world history?
Of course, if you try to regulate everything, you’ll end up stifling individuality and the spontaneity that makes life worth living, and you might even make surprises obsolete. Having said that, these are not internal factors but rather external ones. Various religious and philosophical figures have argued about the ultimate ruler of the universe since the dawn of time.
Control in this framework often involves a partnership between individuals, who have power over their decisions but may not always have the ability to influence outcomes. The cosmos’s development is a blend of order, chance, freedom, and fate, as emphasized by spiritual philosophies like Stoicism, Western metaphysics, and Hinduism, which assert that controlling everything leads to dissatisfaction.
This article discusses the concept of Stoicism and how to practice stoicism in daily life to manage stress and anxiety. In addition, we’ll understand how peace is achieved by acknowledging one’s control boundaries and acting prudently within them.
What is Stoicism and how to practice stoicism in daily life?
Stoicism is a philosophy to achieve peace of mind by not controlling everything but by guiding and letting go of what is within us. It’s about accepting what we cannot change and directing our energy towards what we can.
Stoicism, which finds its roots in ancient Greece, encourages individuals to maintain a sense of resilience, clarity, and peace of mind in times of difficulty. It provides guidance to people so that they may navigate the uncertainties that life presents. In the realm of Stoic philosophy, Marcus Aurelius is considered to be one of the most influential figures.
Who is Marcus Aurelius?
Marcus Aurelius, who lived from 121 to 180 CE, was a Roman emperor and philosopher and was known as the “Philosopher King.” He ruled the Roman Empire during a period marked by frequent wars, political upheaval, and the devastating Antonine Plague.
Despite being overwhelmed with responsibilities, he diligently documented his thoughts in a personal notebook called Meditations, adapting Stoic concepts to daily life and leadership issues, emphasizing virtue, self-control, and accepting fate, despite his numerous responsibilities.
Marcus Aurelius’ understanding of Stoicism was influenced by early Stoic thinkers like Epictetus and Seneca, and mentors like Junius Rusticus and Claudius Maximus. Despite not meeting them personally, their works deeply influenced him, and he used Stoicism as a practical discipline to remain just, calm, and resilient in the midst of empire storms.
How to practice stoicism in daily life?
Let us use a made-up scenario to grasp the concept of Stoicism.
Consider Aman, a Mumbai-based software developer. He spends his days in a small apartment with his father and younger sister, on packed trains, and in bustling offices. Arguments break out, deadlines approach, and news cycles shout political unrest and inflation. Aman gradually learns the Stoic method, however, which is to concentrate on navigating his own ship rather than trying to manage the storm.
How to practice stoicism at home?
Not every morning tea is a tranquil experience. Despite his advanced age and poor health, Aman’s father is able to express his frustrations in a direct manner. When his sister Neha is anxious about competitive examinations, she occasionally allows her anxiousness to manifest itself in the form of furious statements.
Marcus Aurelius advised waking up to face the irritable, selfish, and unreasonable, which Aman applies to real life to maintain self-uncorrupted.
He practices silence, focusing on Neha, taking deep breaths before responding, and then softly suggests finding a way through the situation.
The question that Aman asks himself whenever his father criticizes him is, “Is this something that I can control, or is it his frustration speaking?” Stoicism serves to remind him that the path to peace is not to attempt to control the emotions of other people but rather to manage the world within himself.
How to practice stoicism at work?
Consider Aman’s colleague Priya, for instance; she has a tendency to take credit for things when it is owed to her. Aman finds solace in his stoicism when he is confronted with acts of injustice.
His compass will be the four Stoic values, mainly wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. He decides to answer with facts instead of anger, and he refrains from participating in gossip or ruminating over the situation.
Despite being interrupted during meetings, he maintains a cool tone and focuses on finding answers, rather than using it as an opportunity to protect his pride.
How to practice stoicism in public places?
Every night, Aman takes the Mumbai local, which is packed with people who are squeezing and bumping into each other. He used to get really angry over little things. Now he talks about Epictetus: “It is not events that bother us, but our thoughts about events.”
As a result, he incorporates stoicism into his life by reminding himself to concentrate on the things that are under his control, specifically his reactions and responses to the busy surroundings. It is possible for Aman to traverse public areas with a sense of peace and serenity because he is able to adjust his perspective and choose to respond with patience and empathy.
Chaos serves as a training ground, providing opportunities for forbearance and compassion, with each jostle serving as a chance to improve. During these periods, it is recommended to engage in meditation, focusing on the ability to contemplate the challenges of tomorrow.
How to practice stoicism with world affairs?
Inflation is rising, politics keeps rumbling, and layoffs keep dominating the news. Some things are under our control, and some are not; this is the Stoic duality that Aman uses when faced with such a situation.
Although he is unable to influence the conditions of the market, he may improve his abilities, update his résumé, and exercise caution. It is via the technique of premeditatio malorum that he imagines the worst-case situations in order to make them less painful. The world’s events no longer overwhelm him; they remind him to focus on his character, integrity, and current decisions.
In another example, Aman sees his coworkers getting more and more worried about India’s economy going into a slump. He doesn’t add to the fear; instead, he tells the difference between speculation and truth. He always learns new things and tells her coworkers, “We cannot control market forces. However, we can control how we get ready, how we support each other, and how we act in general.”
Stoicism is a powerful principle that promotes composure and calmness in one’s work environment.
How to practice stoicism at family gatherings?
During the weekend time with family, it is usual for political debates to start around the dinner table as people gather to eat together. Voices become louder, and people’s tempers begin to boil.
In such situations, Aman opts to abstain from the use of sarcasm in these kinds of circumstances, and instead, he makes the decision to listen to the other person. The pursuit of justice is more than simply winning conflicts; it also requires treating other people with respect. Rather than by maintaining silence, temperance is accomplished by carefully choosing one’s words in order to create bridges instead of obstacles.
How to practice stoicism on social media?
As he goes through several social media sites, Aman notices that hateful content is spreading like wildfire across all of them. He restricts the amount of time he spends on his feed, which is carefully selected, and he asks himself, “Does this assist me in living a life of virtue?”
The philosophy of stoicism cautions against the uncontrolled expression of emotions. He prefers to communicate his thoughtful insights in a way that is both polite and beneficial, rather than participating in heated disputes on the internet.
Final thoughts.
In the face of life’s challenges, stoicism does not ensure peace of mind. It delivers something that is of greater significance, which is the capacity to navigate through the chaos with dignity, courage, and peace.
