We live in an era filled with constant change and uncertainty and many people lack the wisdom to get through. Lucky for us, the principles of stoicism offer a timeless guide to navigating modern life with wisdom and resilience. The ancient philosophy of stoicism is rooted in the teachings of stoic thinkers like Seneca and Marcus Aurelius. Stoicism encourages us to focus on what is within our control, to cultivate inner strength and virtue, and to find peace amidst chaos. This allows us to learn to thrive amid life’s challenges and uncertainties.
In this article, we will explore how the wisdom of stoicism can help us lead more fulfilling lives in today’s fast-paced world. Drawing on the timeless teachings of the stoics, we will uncover practical strategies for living wisely and well amidst the complexities of modern life. Let us embark on a journey towards greater wisdom and resilience as we delve into the profound insights offered by this ancient philosophy.
What is Wisdom?
How the Stoics Perceived Wisdom
Wisdom, as perceived by great ancient Stoics like Marcus Aurelius, transcends the boundaries of time and remains a beacon of guidance even in modern times. Besides justice, temperance, and courage, wisdom is also one of the four cardinal virtues of stoicism. The Stoics believed that true wisdom lies in understanding and aligning oneself with the natural order of the universe, accepting what cannot be changed, and focusing on personal development and virtue. A deep understanding of the world and oneself leads to a life lived with purpose and virtue.
Importance of Wisdom in Stoicism
To the Stoics, wisdom is the most important of compasses that guide us towards a life of tranquility and away from a life of chaos. It guides us towards a life of happiness and away from a life of illusionary bliss – a fool’s paradise.
Wisdom is the foundation upon which all other virtues rest. It is the bedrock of Stoicism. Without wisdom, courage might lead to recklessness, and justice might be misapplied, and a Stoic will be a Stoic no more.
Stoic aspects of wisdom
Wisdom can be divided into two distinct but rather interconnected aspects:
- Wisdom in Understanding: This facet of wisdom entails a deep comprehension of the natural order of the universe. It involves recognizing the things we can control (our thoughts and actions) and those that are out of reach (external events and other people’s opinions). This understanding helps us free ourselves from unnecessary suffering by guiding us to focus our efforts on what we can change. In recognizing that we cannot control these externalities; but we can control our responses, we are one decision wiser. Through wisdom, we can engage in regular self-reflection, where we can examine our thoughts, actions, and desires. By having a full comprehension of our motivations and biases, we can become wiser decision-makers, and more attuned to our true values. In case this wisdom bypasses us, we can always recite the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
- Wisdom in Virtue: We believe that true wisdom is inseparable from virtuous living. Virtue, in this context, means living a life per reason and moral principles. As mentioned before, the four cardinal virtues of our philosophy – wisdom, courage, justice, and self-discipline – are intertwined with wisdom serving as the foundation for Stoicism. For example, we must exercise wisdom to know when and how to apply courage and justice appropriately. Through practicing detachment from the unvirtuous, we become more resilient and less prone to the emotional turmoil that often accompanies life’s ups and downs. All of us can, and must strive for excellence in all aspects of our lives while acknowledging our limitations.
Wisdom in Modern Times
In modern times, the teachings of Stoicism continue to dominate the world. This is because people seek guidance on how to navigate life’s challenges gracefully, and most importantly, with wisdom. Stoicism provides an answer to that. Living a wise life, in the Stoic tradition, means embracing virtues such as courage, justice, moderation, and wisdom itself.
As you embrace the four cardinal virtues of stoicism, you come closer to becoming a good man. Marcus Aurelius once said, “Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” This challenges us to focus on embodying virtues rather than debating their definitions. This is an important lesson in our fast-paced and often superficial society.
You will find people on social media, at work, or at school debating on whether certain social interactions and norms are “good” or “bad”. Instead of joining the debate, go on and be what you think a good man to be. Do good and just to people and all will be well with your life.
Cultivate Positive Thoughts
“The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” This insightful statement reminds us of the power we hold over our own minds and perceptions. True wisdom stems from our ability to control our perceptions and reactions to external events. Therefore, by cultivating a positive mindset, you get to lead a fulfilling life which allows you to make clear and wise decisions.
In modern times, embracing Stoic principles can guide you towards living a more fulfilling and purposeful life. By being virtuous and focusing on what is within your control, you can cultivate the right mindset capable of making wise decisions. Wise decisions enrich your daily life experiences. By integrating these timeless Stoic teachings into our lives, we can strive to be wise beings who lead by example in an ever-evolving world.
How to Live Wisely as a Modern Stoic
We’ve already learned that the ancient Stoics embraced wisdom in their daily lives by living virtuously and seeking clarity in decision-making. Stoicism transcends time and its teachings are universal. As modern Stoics, we should embrace wisdom and embody it in all aspects of our lives just as our predecessors did.
There’s no doubt that we are living in one of the most fast-paced times in history. This means that we might get caught up with all the quick fuss and forget about ourselves while trying to catch everything. To enable you to remain stoic and use wisdom in every aspect of your life here are some actions you can take every day:
1. Meditation
Everything is moving fast. Your mind cannot keep up with everything that is going on. You have an obligation towards society, to keep up with its norms and trends. However, you do not have to worry yourself with everything that is going on. Take a break from social media, take a break from binge-watching that new chick flick. Find time to be by yourself, meditate, and not be influenced by external thoughts.
Meditation has long been hailed as a powerful tool for achieving greater wisdom and inner peace. In modern times, practicing meditation can help cultivate wisdom and live more in alignment with the four cardinal virtues. It gives you the tranquility to be ale to make clear decisions everytime you ae faced with choices. By incorporating meditation into your daily routine, you can develop clarity of thought, emotional resilience, and a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.
Living as a modern-day stoic involves integrating timeless philosophical teachings with practical strategies for personal growth. Through the practice of meditation, individuals can tap into their inner reservoirs of wisdom and lead more fulfilling lives guided by stoic virtues such as courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom.
2. Focusing on what you can control
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Life comes with its problems. Focusing on them won’t do any good except make you feel so weary. External threats are just that; external. You are not in control of them and they will appear any time they see fit to torture your mind.
“We suffer more in imagination than in reality” – Marcus Aurelius.
As a Stoic, you should train your mind to recognize external threats (how else would you know they’re external?) but ignore them as if they didn’t exist. Death, illness, and all forms of suffering will always occur as they are part of life. In all your years, strive to focus on that which is in your control. This will help you keep a clear mind with wise strategic plans to do what you are supposed to do; live your life to its fullest.
3. Be mindful of others
Sonder – The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one’s own, which they are constantly living despite one’s lack of awareness of it.
Sometimes we go through things and think, “This is very bad. Why always me?”. What we don’t realize is that life happens to everyone. Everyone around us is going through something that is weighing them down. This means that we are all the same flesh and blood and connected, at the very least, spiritually.
The fact that we are one means we should look out for each other. If you are too weary, try to be mindful of others. Being mindful of others not only cultivates more positivity in our lives but also makes us likable. Popularity isn’t a virtue but it’s easier to climb the ladder when the majority of the people are on your side. Therefore, being mindful of others is a wise move that is beneficial to you and the people around you.
4. Read wise men
Although the world has changed a lot, feelings and human perception have always been the same. We evolve and these two evolve with us. Therefore, make it your daily habit to read the works of wise men before you.
Wise Stoic men – any wise man – such as Marcus Aurelius, often put down their thoughts and the ones who recognized their wisdom took care of their heroes’ works. If you dare come across such great work, read them keenly and you learn something from them. Apply them in your daily life and you will realize that Stoicism allows you to be better than your previous selves.
Conclusion
As a Stoic, you should understand that learning is a never-ending journey. Therefore, do not expect to wake up one day as wise as King Solomon. It is a path you walk and must remain virtuous if you wish to continue along it. Although there is no greater cardinal virtue, wisdom gives us the understanding and guidance to execute the other three. Do not let this world’s pace rush you into making decisions. Always try to analyze your situations and remember to consider others.