‘Its not what happens
to you, but how you react to it that matters’
If you’ve read this quote in countless places, consider
yourself introduced to Greek Stoic philosopher, Epictetus, who’s rising quotable
quotient, reflects a ‘deal with it’ attitude to change – a word that embodies
our collective zeitgeist.
The crux of Stoicism was a moral and practical framework
that helps and guides individuals towards leading better lives; to secure
eudaimonia ('happiness' or 'a flourishing life').
The emphasis was on empowering the individual to find their
way, instead of being asked to blindly follow the orders’ beliefs. A tenet that
makes this rather ancient school of philosophy sound curiously modern.
Indeed, among the Discourses Epictetus gave are:
‘The beginning of philosophy is to know the condition of
one's own mind.’
‘It is impossible for a man to begin to learn, what he has a
conceit that he already knows. ‘
Epictetus said that our capacity to flourish and be happy
was entirely dependent on our own character, how we conduct ourselves to
ourselves and to others; and not a default outcome of external circumstances
alone.
Importantly, the pursuit of happiness was a constant work-
in-progress, and not a final destination. Directing the search for happiness
within, Epictetus pointed to a life motivated by virtue [not the good/ bad
variety] but rather a lofty, constant striving for excellence as a human being.
Progress on this path required understanding the true nature
of one's being and being vigilant about real intentions and desires. This is
akin to how novices at martial arts are taught to recognise their own weakness
as well as the opponents’ strengths, with theory and regular combat training.
Epictetus clarifies how one must live in clear practical
terms with metaphors:
Life as a festival:
Celebrate life every day, practise living with joy
Life as a game:
Play whole heartedly. When you lose interest, you lose the battle/ die.
Life as weaving:
Your life is an act of creation and you are the creator; weaving new meaning,
colour and emotion into a rich tapestry
Life as a play:
Every individual must choose which role they want to play and not slip into one
by default. Essay your chosen role well. Default roles lead to frustration and
unhappiness.
Life as an athletic
contest: There is a time for preparation and a time for action - both are
necessary to ensure that theoretical learning is tested by application – and so
imbibed fully.
Life as service: Individuals
find great happiness when their life has meaning beyond the bare requirements
of making a living. Serving a cause greater than individual need creates a
vibrant community of the living.
Presciently, the Stoics also warned that individuals, who
progress with living to such high moral standards, will pay a price – which
often is a sense of separation from
peers, in a fairly profound way.
Every innovator who
lives ‘the dream’ pays this price.
This is why the philosophic construct of the Stoics and
importantly Epictetus, is so relevant today. The emphasis is on a very
practical construct of living change and not just theorising about it.
We are reinventing our world at macro and nano levels,
simultaneously.
We have to be the change and innovate as individuals, as groups,
as nations.
At the same time, we need to hold on to hope, counter fear
and be mindful of the difficult economic circumstances many people and nations find
themselves in.
A remarkable group of people are gathering around a bonfire,
called The Inconvenience of Change (www.lifewithoutpants.com).
This is a great way for change-makers gather around, share stories and companion
this remarkable and demanding journey which can at times get lonely.
Just as this group shows, it is vital that our search for
solutions and pursuit of change is mindful of the individual path of striving
for excellence as human beings.
If this is our way, we have a roadmap to happier, more
fulfilled lives; and a possible construct that may allow us to heal a world at
war with itself.
PS: Like every major school of
philosophy, Stoicism has believers and critics who have argued through the centuries,
and still continue to do so. My view is that there is no such thing as a
perfect philosophy. We seek answers from different sources, imbibing wisdom
from here and there quite like a bee visiting many flowers to create honey. This
helps us arrive at a living construct that is meaningful at a very private and
individual level – which is the arena for real change.
