Stoic Reflections: Growth, Acceptance & Acting Rational
Musings from Epictetus’ Discourses — Week 13
March 27th, 2024
It is also good to know how well prepared one is and be aware of one’s capacity, so that if you aren’t properly prepared, you may keep silent and not be upset if others show themselves to be superior to you in those matters. For you in turn may regard yourself as being superior to them when it comes to syllogisms, and if they’re upset by that, you can console them by saying, ‘I’ve learned this and you haven’t.’ And likewise, in areas in which practice is required, don’t seek the advantage that practice alone can provide, but leave the matter to those who have the benefit of long experience, and be content for your part to preserve your composure.
Ego and pride can get in the way of growth. There will always be people who know more than you in different areas of life or even in your area of expertise. But when we approach other people with an agenda in mind such as showing what you know and making sure other people understand that you’re smart, you fail to learn from others. Thus, you fail to grow.
Our ego and pride want others to respect and acknowledge our intellect.
As for skills that require practice, it’s important to not simply rely on them for your intelligence because anyone can practice and learn as well. Instead, it’s the application of practice and the feedback you get from that application i.e. experience that is valuable and requires your pursuit.
March 29th, 2024
Always remember what is your own and what is not, and you’ll never be troubled. [9] So Chrysippus* did well to say, ‘As long as the consequences remain unclear to me, I always hold to what is best fitted to secure such things as are in accordance with nature; for God himself, in creating me, granted me the freedom to choose them. But if I in fact knew that illness had been decreed for me at this moment by destiny, I would welcome even that; for the foot, too, if it had understanding, would be eager to get spattered with mud.
Attitude of acceptance.
This reminds me of Jocko Willink’s “Good” concept. Where no matter what outside event happens to you, your response should be “Good”.
Of course, people will confuse and argue that even if your child passes away you’re supposed to say “Good”? But that’s not what the concept argues. It’s the total acceptance of life. Once you accept your circumstances, such as the passing of a loved one or failure at achieving a goal, you can then clearly plan your next action rather than being overwhelmed by emotions and feelings and allowing them to lead you astray.
Neither is this “Good” concept a way to suppress your emotions. The appropriate response to a loved one passing away is sorrow. However, what isn’t appropriate is to allow that sorrow to turn into some destructive habit like drinking your pain away or lashing out at others or wallowing in your misery. There is an appropriate time to feel sorrow but there is also the right time to move on and be a pillar of support for others around you.
March 31st, 2024
When we act for the sake of our belly or genitals, when we act at random, or in a filthy manner, or without proper care, to what level have we sunk? To that of sheep. What have we destroyed? What is rational in us. And when we behave aggressively, and harmfully, and angrily, and forcefully, to what level have we sunk? To that of wild beasts.
It starts with believing that there is a higher level in us toward which we are aiming at. Some people are so lost that they don’t see anything wrong with acting like a sheep or wild beast. They’ve allowed the struggle of life to make them cynical.
You have to fight to be rational. Fight your urges and impulses. Fight life itself.
Once you achieve that, then it’s a matter of holding your position as you feel a strong pull toward the irrational part of yourself. It’s in this resistance, we stay rational.
You chose to pick discipline and delay of gratification over impulse. You chose to be optimistic, helpful and calm while you were given a list of reasons to act oppositely.
Make the right choices to be rational.
Originally published at http://learnedlivingorg.wordpress.com on April 1, 2024.