I Love You. Zeno of Citium.

Stoicism.

I have fashioned my blog in the manner that Marcus Aurelius has penned his thoughts which he called his "Meditations."  I write in honour of the philosophy and ethics that guided our lives and is still guiding mine. 

The Stoics have been known to be seekers of happiness or blessedness a term they call "Eu~daimonia" derived from the greek language of Eu (good or well) and Daimon (spirit). This is attained by accepting the moment as it presents itself. 

Living in the moment or in the now.

Living fully in the moment simply means being fully present by not allowing oneself to be controlled by the desire for pleasure or by the fear of pain. Because both sensations only exist in the mind. 

Therefore, control the mind and you control the power of pleasure or pain. Otherwise it is the mind that controls us in meeting out pleasure or pain. 

It is also the practice of consciousness using one's mind to understand the world and to do one's part in nature's plan, and by working together and treating others fairly and justly. (Read kindness & compassion)

Perhaps the most evidently compelling case for Stoicism are two main principles;

1. It is not what a person SAYS but what he DOES that defines a person.

2. To live a good life, one had to understand the rules of the natural order since they thought everything was rooted in nature.

"Virtue consists in a will that is in agreement with Nature.This principle also applies to the realm of interpersonal relationships; "to be free from anger, envy, and jealousy, and to accept even slaves as "equals of other men, because all men alike are products of nature".


Here are more timeless Stoic principles that clearly reflect the rules of nature;

• Memento mori - Remember you will die. We all die. Sooner or later. We just don't know when. So remember to live. This life that we have been given is so fleeting.  For the conscious it is way too short. 

In a heartbeat or in one breath we can just disappear like the night at dawn. Or the day at dusk. 

• We will face challenges - Expect to meet people who are ignorant, arrogant, angry and fearful. Know that no one can hurt us. They're just ignorant. Just continue and Stay with breath. Overcome those challenges daily with consciousness of breath and...

• Daily ethical mindfulness - by paying attention. To everything.  Ethical dimension. Stay present. Stay with breath. Stay centered with kindness of heart.  Perform each action as though it were your last.  

• Amor fati - means Loving faith. Take a view from above. Transcend thoughts and emotions. Connect with your inner self often.  Give yourself advice from your inner being or higher self. 

• Meditate. To meditate is to spend time with yourself. Not your mind but your true self. When we get to spend time with our true self, only then can we begin to understand this life within us. This alone is enough to bring bliss into your life. Seek not anywhere else.

•  Daily evening journal - At day's end, Reflect on and write down;  What have I Done wrong. Condemn the action not the person. Question What did I do right?  What did I miss. 

• Kaizen - daily marginal improvements. Focus on just 1% improvement everyday. Small steps daily lead to huge long term benefits. This last one is more Japanese than Stoic but it fits.

Started as a philosophy of personal ethics in 3rd Century BC by Zeno of Citium in Athens, Stoicism lasted until the 3rd Century AD. It went into a decline when Christianity became the state religion of the Romans in 4th Century AD. 

Strong advocate of the stoics philosophy and ethics was the great Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, and other Stoics like Seneca and Epictetus. Throughout history Stoic principles and thinking lived on and held true during the Renaissance period and in the contemporary era today.