A Calm Mind is a Blessing in Our Chaotic World. Unfortunately, many turn to medication and other substances, leading to addiction. If you seek inner peace without medication, Stoicism offers valuable methods. In this video, I'll share seven Stoic principles for a calmer mind.
First, Negative Visualization: Stoics counter life's hardships using a technique called negative visualization. It harnesses the power of pessimism by mentally preparing you for undesirable and uncomfortable situations. One of Stoicism's foremost teachers, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, began his day by saying to himself, 'Today, I will encounter interference, ingratitude, insolence, disloyalty, ill will, and selfishness. All of these stem from ignorance of what is good or bad.' By visualizing negativity and combining it with the principle of acceptance, Marcus Aurelius eliminated expectations and safeguarded his soul against adversity.
Second, Self-Control: Stoics make a clear distinction between what we can and cannot control. Epictetus said, 'Things in our control are opinion, pursuit, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever are our own actions. Things not in our control are the body, property, reputation, command, and, in one word, whatever are not our own actions.' The secret lies in strengthening what's within our control, which requires practice. Different forms exist, such as intermittent fasting, where you abstain from eating for a specific period, or simply chewing your food a certain number of times before swallowing.
Third, Detachment from Others' Opinions: Many of us excessively care about others' opinions. But remember, others' opinions are beyond your control, so why worry about their judgments? To break this habit, practice is necessary. The fear of social judgment is deeply ingrained in us, but by exposing yourself to situations where people may judge you, positively or negatively, over time, you'll find it doesn't hurt as much as you imagined, strengthening your indifference.
Fourth, Daily Journaling: Writing down thoughts is a Stoic practice to find relief and create order in your thoughts and memories. Keeping a journal has a calming effect on the mind. Perhaps the most famous Stoic who maintained a personal journal was Marcus Aurelius. His journal became the book 'Meditations,' which was never intended for publication but served as his personal diary.
Fifth, Memento Mori: This practice reminds us that we will die. Contemplating the reality of death puts life into perspective. It means your life is ending with every passing second, and you shouldn't waste it on trivial matters. It also teaches us to live life to the fullest, as we may not be here tomorrow. Thinking about death should bring not fear but gratitude and appreciation for the life we've been given. Seneca said, 'Let us prepare our minds as if we'd come to the very end of life. Let us postpone nothing. Let us balance life's books every day. The one who puts the finishing touches on their life daily will never run short of time.'
Sixth, Cosmic Perspective: Acknowledging our insignificance in the vast universe makes it easier to let go of many human trivialities. Irritating coworkers, annoying relatives, or aggressive drivers become less significant when viewed from a cosmic perspective. Even significant events like wars, natural disasters, and tragedies appear small when we realize the vastness of the universe.
Lastly, Love of Fate: Stoics have a simple tip for worrying about the future-'amor fati' from Latin, meaning 'love of fate.' It entails embracing whatever happens in your life, as long as you accept the outcome, you'll be fine. This doesn't mean becoming a passive realist or abandoning goals and ambitions. Goals are not a problem as long as you remain detached from the outcome.
By practicing techniques like negative visualization, focusing on what we can control, and adopting a cosmic perspective, we can cultivate a calmer mind and live a more fulfilling life. Remember, as we journey through our existence, it's essential to let go of worries about the future and embrace the philosophy of amor fati, accepting life's outcomes while pursuing our goals with detachment.
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14 окт 2024
