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Is stoicism relevant to modern life? What life lessons could you extract from Stoic philosophy? Stoicism is a timeless philosophy. The ancient Stoicism teachings contain some of the greatest wisdom in the history of the world, and the Stoic lessons are no less relevant today than they were at the dawn of the stoic school of thought. Here are seven Stoic lessons for modern living.
Inspired by the Japanese way of life? What can Japanese wisdom teach you about living well? The Japanese way of life and philosophy offer a very different perspective from the West on living well. The Japanese wisdom is all about integrating ancient philosophies into daily life. Here are three concepts that will help you tap into the well of ancient Japanese wisdom.
How do Stoics view the world? Can anyone cultivate the Stoic mindset? The key characteristic of the Stoic mindset is dispassionate perception—taking a rather neutral and detached view of life events. Seeing things in this way, as Stoics see them, doesn’t come naturally; it’s a skill you need to develop and hone. Here are some lessons to keep in mind if you want to cultivate the Stoic mindset.
Who said “What stands in the way becomes the way”? Do you agree with the statement? Why or why not? What do you think it means? The quote “What stands in the way becomes the way” is attributed to Roman Emperor and a die-hard Stoic Marcus Aurelius. It might sound paradoxical when you first hear it, but as you think about it more and more, the meaning will unfold before you; and it’s quite profound. Here are the meaning and a little backstory of Marcus Aurelius’ timeless quote “What stands in the way becomes the way.”
What does it mean to be a Stoic? What makes a Stoic different from an average person? Stoicism is an ancient Greek personal ethics philosophy that teaches the development of emotional self-control and mental toughness as a means of overcoming life’s trials and tribulations. But what does it mean to be a Stoic person? What personal qualities do Stoics embody? Keep reading for the answer to the question: what does it mean to be a Stoic.
What does it mean when an author includes a blind character in literature? How do authors sometimes include metaphorical blindness? Blind characters are difficult to write because the author needs to describe how that character will navigate the world. So why write a blind character? Because both literal and metaphorical blindness are important symbols in literature. Keep reading to learn more about what blindness means in literature.
What does Stoicism teach about acceptance? Isn’t acceptance the direct opposite of the Stoic approach to life? In Stoicism, acceptance isn’t about surrendering to life’s misfortunes. Rather, it’s about finding the strength to resist arguing about how things should be and to instead accept them as they are. Once you do so, you can very likely use the problem or challenge to your benefit. Read about Stoicism’s take on acceptance.
What is the Inner Citadel? And what does it take to build one? The Inner citadel is a Stoic concept that refers to inner strength or resilience exercised in the face of adversity. Building your Inner Citadel means strengthening yourself both mentally and physically during good times so you have the strength you need during bad times. Learn about the stoic concept of the Inner Citadel.
Who is Robert DeWeese in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance? What is his role in the story? Robert DeWeese is a friend of Pirsig who he meets in his travels. Deweese doesn’t have a large role in the story, but helps Pirsig explain the importance of art and of life. Read more about Robert DewWeese in Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.
What does it mean to “go beyond self” in Buddhism? If we have no self, then how can we feel things like love and grief? There is no “self” in Buddhism. Buddhism teaches that each being is part of a universal presence rather than an individual being. It can be very difficult for people, especially Westerners, to go beyond the self because we’re raised to believe that the self is all-important. Continue reading to learn more about the “self”, Buddhism, and Radical Acceptance.