Thoughts and Reflections — Week 6
Musings from Epictetus’ Discourses
February 7th, 2024
“A person’s own thoughts unnerve them.”
External conditions are often dependent on our attitude toward them. They rely on how we think and perceive them. That is why for some, failure is nothing but for others, the mere thought of failure is so debilitating that they won’t even try in the first place.
The thing itself isn’t good or bad. It’s our thoughts that make it so. This is why it’s vital to develop the skill of self-observation.
People are quick to attach a sense of self to their thoughts and act upon them right away. However, thoughts are simply thoughts. You choose which one’s matter and which don’t.
This choice takes place once you have the ability to observe yourself and your thoughts. That way you aren’t under the influence of what you think.
February 9th, 2024
“Therefore, the first and most important duty of the philosopher is to test impressions, choosing between them and only deploying those that have passed the test.”
We are quick to jump on our first emotion, our first impulse, our first thought. Is it because we feel a sense of self with such impressions? As if impressions are a part of us rather than things simply happening as we observe them.
Maybe there is an overemphasis on expressing our feelings and thoughts. We believe that if we don’t express what we’re feeling or thinking, we are repressing ourselves which is supposed to be a bad thing. But this need to jump on our very first impression makes us slaves to our impressions.
There is a general lack of patience and self-reflection.
When thoughts, feelings and impulses come up, rather than acting on them, dissect them. Force them to answer your queries and questions. Make them worthy of your expression. Once they pass that test, then act upon them.
Originally published at http://learnedlivingorg.wordpress.com on February 12, 2024.