Stoicism and mindfulness can be seen as two sides of the same coin. Marcus Aurelius often talked about living in the present, and Epictetus spoke about paying attention. Both want us to gain control over our emotional thoughts and reactions; we are looking at similar outcomes but different paths. Some people also prefer the language of stoicism over that of mindfulness, so today, we will look at stoicism.
Stoicism is an ancient philosophy that offers valuable insights into living a meaningful and contented life. Developed in Athens around 300 BCE by thinkers like Zeno of Citium, Epictetus, and Seneca, Stoicism provides a practical framework for navigating the challenges of life with wisdom and resilience.
Understanding Stoicism
At its core, Stoicism is a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of personal virtue, wisdom, and self-control as the means to achieve a tranquil and fulfilling life. Stoics believe that external circumstances are beyond our control, but how we react to them is within our control. This philosophy encourages individuals to focus on what they can control – their own thoughts, emotions, and actions – to attain a state of inner peace and contentment.
The Three Main Disciplines of Stoicism
Stoicism is often divided into three main disciplines, each serving as a pillar of the philosophy:
- Desire and Aversion: This discipline centers on understanding what is within your control and what isn’t. Stoics teach that our desires and aversions should be directed toward things that are within our control, such as our character and values. External factors like wealth, fame, and the actions of others are outside our control and should not be the focus of our desires or aversions.
- Action: The second discipline involves using reason to guide your actions. Stoics advocate for making decisions based on rationality and virtue rather than being swayed by impulsive emotions or external pressures. This means acting in accordance with your values, regardless of external circumstances.
- Endurance of Hardships: Stoicism teaches us to accept and endure the inevitable challenges and hardships of life with equanimity. By recognizing that adversity is a part of the human experience, Stoics aim to develop resilience and inner strength. This discipline encourages the cultivation of a mindset that can find meaning and growth even in difficult situations.
Key Stoic Principles
To practice Stoicism effectively, it’s essential to understand and embrace its core principles:
- Stoic Dichotomy of Control: This principle divides things into two categories: those you can control and those you cannot. Focus your energy on the former, and accept the latter with indifference. By doing so, you’ll experience less anxiety and frustration.
- Virtue as the Sole Good: Stoicism asserts that the only true good is moral virtue. External goods like wealth, health, and reputation are considered indifferent – neither inherently good nor bad. Your character and the choices you make are what truly matter.
- Eudaimonia: Stoicism aims for eudaimonia, which is often translated as “flourishing” or “living in accordance with nature.” Achieving eudaimonia comes from living a life in alignment with virtue, wisdom, and reason, rather than pursuing pleasure or external success.
- Acceptance of Fate: Stoics believe in the concept of amor fati, or “love of fate.” This means embracing and accepting whatever happens as part of the natural order. Instead of resisting or complaining about adversity, Stoics seek to learn from it and grow stronger.
Practical Stoic Practices
To begin applying Stoicism to your life, consider adopting these practical practices:
- Morning Reflection: Start your day by reflecting on the Stoic principles and your intentions for the day. Ask yourself what is within your control, what virtues you want to embody, and how you can deal with any challenges that may arise.
- Negative Visualization: Imagine the worst-case scenarios for various situations. This helps you prepare mentally for adversity and appreciate the present moment.
- The View from Above: Occasionally step back and imagine viewing your life from a cosmic perspective. This exercise can help you gain perspective on your worries and recognize their relative insignificance.
- Journaling: Keep a Stoic journal to reflect on your thoughts and actions. Write down moments when you exhibited virtue and areas where you need improvement. Seneca’s “Letters to Lucilius” and Marcus Aurelius’s “Meditations” are excellent examples of Stoic journals.
- Mindful Action: Practice making deliberate, rational decisions in accordance with Stoic principles. When faced with difficult choices, pause and consider the most virtuous course of action.
- Practicing Gratitude: Focus on the things you have rather than what you lack. Regularly express gratitude for the people and opportunities in your life.
- Memento Mori: Remember your mortality. The thought of death can motivate you to live a meaningful life and prioritize what truly matters.
Stoicism in Everyday Life
Stoicism can be applied to various aspects of your life:
- Relationships: Cultivate empathy, understanding, and forgiveness in your interactions with others. Remember that you can only control your own actions, not how others behave.
- Work: Approach your work with dedication and integrity, focusing on doing your best rather than seeking external recognition or rewards.
- Adversity: When facing challenges, view them as opportunities for personal growth and learning. Embrace difficulties with resilience and courage.
- Material Possessions: Avoid excessive attachment to material possessions. Recognize that they are temporary and can’t provide lasting happiness.
- Emotions: Practice emotional regulation by acknowledging your feelings without being ruled by them. Use reason to guide your responses to emotional stimuli.
Famous Stoic Figures
Several influential figures in history practiced Stoicism:
- Epictetus: A former slave and Stoic philosopher, he is known for his teachings on the power of rationality and the importance of inner freedom.
- Seneca: A Roman statesman, playwright, and philosopher, Seneca’s letters and essays provide valuable insights into Stoic principles.
- Marcus Aurelius: As the Roman Emperor, he wrote “Meditations,” a collection of personal notes and reflections that serve as a timeless guide to Stoic philosophy.
Stoicism offers a practical and time-tested philosophy for leading a fulfilling life. By focusing on what is within your control, cultivating virtue, and embracing adversity, you can find tranquility, wisdom, and purpose in the face of life’s challenges. As a beginner, start with small steps and gradually incorporate Stoic principles and practices into your daily routine. Over time, you’ll develop the resilience and wisdom needed to navigate life’s complexities with grace and dignity.
Stoicism and BMX
Encourage philanthropism
I do not mean that you should give away your money or your bike to those more in need. You should give something even more valuable than that: your time. Show the kid at the skatepark how to drop in. Invite people to come and hang out in your circle. Encourage people at all moments.
Think of the people you meet as an extension of your family and your family as an extension of yourself. Hierocles stated that we should feel our family much the same way we view parts of our body.
Negative visualisation
The idea here might sound counterproductive. We would typically imagine ourselves rolling away from a handrail. Concentrating on what could go wrong seems like a bad idea.
Think of the bad things that could happen when a trick goes wrong. Then think of all the times that this has not happened. You should now begin to realise how lucky you actually are.
Mindful BMX 
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