The word ‘Stoic’ is often used to describe someone who is unemotional or indifferent to things. But its origin story says a bit different about the word. Stoics aimed to transform and enable themselves to develop a clear judgement and a calm mind through self-control, modesty and discipline.
“All you need are these: certainty of judgment in the present moment;
action for the common good in the present moment;
and an attitude of gratitude in the present moment for anything that comes your way.”
—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 9.6”
Stoicism was based upon the philosophy – ‘Virtue is sufficient for happiness’ According to the principles of stoicism, one is considered truly free only if they are void of any moral corruptions and can stay resilient through harder times.
The four pillars of the Stoic philosophy are:
- Wisdom – The more knowledgeable you are, the more you have access to different ways in which you can interact with the world around you, the more you will be free.
- Courage
- Justice
- Temperance – To be able to over come your own desires and thus be free of them.
The objective of Stoicism was to be free of suffering by countering them with logic and reason. They believed that emotions which arose from incorrect judgement were vicious. They believed that clarity could only be obtained if one faced the world with a rational mind.
“The proper work of the mind is the exercise of choice, refusal, yearning, repulsion, preparation, purpose, and assent. What then can pollute and clog the mind’s proper functioning? Nothing but its own corrupt decisions.”
—EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 4.11.6–7”
I only recently came to know about Stoicism when I was doing a movie-making project about upholding ethics, but I found much to learn from it. I watched a few videos about it and one of the books which were recommended in them was -‘ The Daily Stoic’ by Ryan Holiday if you are looking for a modern approach, but you could just as well read the old texts written by the stoic philosopher such as:
- Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
- Seneca: Letters from a Stoic and
- The Art of Living by Epictetus
Through my eyes 