Starting Your Stoic Journey

A Comprehensive Guide

Greetings fellow wisdom-seekers, and welcome to Applying Stoicism - a place where ancient philosophy meets modern life. As we embark together on this Stoic journey, let's begin with an extensive look at what Stoicism is, its origins, core principles, and how to apply them in our daily lives.

What is Stoicism?

Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BC. It's a practical philosophy, meaning it's meant to be practiced, not just thought about. The Stoics believed that by transforming our mindset, we could lead fulfilling, tranquil lives, no matter our external circumstances.

Core Principles of Stoicism

Stoicism is founded on a set of key principles that guide our thoughts and actions. Here are four of them:

1. The Dichotomy of Control: The Stoics made a crucial distinction between things within our control (our beliefs, judgments, desires, and actions) and things outside of our control (basically everything else). To lead a peaceful life, we must focus on what's within our control and accept what isn't.

2. Virtue is the Highest Good: According to the Stoics, virtue—defined as wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance—is the ultimate value. If we cultivate these virtues, we lead a good life, regardless of our external circumstances.

3. Emotional Tranquility: Stoics believed that negative emotions stem from misguided judgments and that a wise person wouldn't succumb to them. By understanding our emotions, we can cultivate tranquility, an inner peace independent of external events.

4. Nature as a Guide: Stoics viewed the universe as a rational, orderly system and sought to live in accordance with nature. To them, 'nature' referred both to the natural world and human nature—rational and social. Aligning ourselves with these aspects can lead to fulfillment.

Starting Your Stoic Journey

Now that we understand the core principles let's explore how to begin integrating Stoicism into our lives.

Step 1: Understand What You Control: Grasping the dichotomy of control can alleviate much stress and frustration. Start observing your reactions to events. Ask yourself, "Is this within my control?" If not, strive to let go of your attachment to the outcome.

Step 2: Cultivate Virtue: Consider the four Stoic virtues—wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. How can you embody these in your daily life? Perhaps it means standing up for what's right, pursuing knowledge, or practicing moderation.

Step 3: Reflect on Your Emotions: When you feel a strong emotion, pause. Try to understand why you're feeling this way. Is it because of a mistaken belief or misplaced value? By examining our emotions, we can better manage them.

Step 4: Live According to Nature: This means appreciating the natural world, accepting the universe's rational order, and recognizing our duties as social, rational beings. Practicing mindfulness can help us connect with the present moment and the world around us.

Starting a Stoic journey is a personal and transformative process. There's no 'one-size-fits-all' approach. What matters is that we strive to learn, reflect, and grow each day, guided by Stoic principles.

In this blog, we'll delve deeper into each of these principles and provide practical tips for implementing them. As you begin your journey, remember the words of the Stoic philosopher Epictetus: "Progress is not achieved by luck or accident, but by working on yourself daily."

Welcome to your Stoic journey, and remember, every step counts, no matter how small. I'm excited to explore this path with you. Here's to the pursuit of wisdom, tranquility, and a life well-lived. See you in the next post!