Learn about the benefits of a Stoic mindset through Nelson Mandela, who created social and political change in his country, and one of history’s most well-known and beloved icons.
You may be thinking “why should I practice Stoicism?” The answer is subjective, of course, and will vary based on your personal wants and needs. At the same time, there are certainly objective benefits of practicing Stoicism, which we will delve into below. Whether you’re interested in reaping those benefits is up to you.
In our opinion, Stoicism can enlighten your existence on Earth, as well as aid in your intellectual and emotional growth. If you practice Stoicism, you will also develop a clear and sound mind. You will be able to engage in discussions and debate issues at a higher level than most. Rather than being a sheep among sheep, a pawn among pawns, a blind person following the blind, you could become a person of stature, esteem and respect. By developing a strong mind you will enhance your ability to make clear judgments, which will provide you with the tools to imagine novel and brilliant ideas. Most importantly, practicing Stoicism will provide the solid foundations of logic and morals that are necessary to sharpen your character.
The beauty of Stoicism is that it does not strip you bare in order to build you up again, unlike certain philosophies. Instead, Stoicism encourages you to think positively from the beginning, not negatively. This method of thinking will allow you to transform a destructive and pessimistic attitude into a peaceful and positive one. This philosophy and its way of thinking helps strengthen the mind and heart of any who practice it.
A Contemporary Example of a Great Stoic: President Nelson Mandela
Think about Nelson Mandela for a moment. He was the driving force in the fight against apartheid in South Africa. But more importantly, he showed the world how to forgive and unite former enemies through peace and harmony. Mandela laid the foundation for unity between the opposing black and white populations of South Africa. He united his people through his wisdom, reason and a sheer force of will. His actions and convictions are what made him a great leader and a truly good human being.
Mandela’s ability to unify a divided South Africa is more remarkable when considering the 27 years he suffered in prison under extremely harsh, brutal and degrading conditions. Yet he never swayed from his belief that good exists in all men. He even found the strength to forgive those who had wronged him in prison and life. Although Mandela was not an official follower of Stoic philosophy, what he accomplished could only have been achieved through a Stoic mindset.
Had Mandela been preoccupied with negative thoughts and ideals, South Africa’s post-apartheid history likely would have turned out quite differently and not so peaceful. But Mandela understood that revenge only leads to more violence, and he did not want the cycle of violence to repeat over and over again. He also understood that if black Africans carried out the same racism against the white population, then the apartheid would only continue under a different oppressor. Madela opposed this change of leadership in South Africa’s racial landscape, because he wanted to end racism altogether by abolishing the racial divisions across both sides. He wanted to unite all South Africans as one nation and one people. In his policy, and arguably in his philosophy, there would be no more “white” or “black” citizens, only South African citizens.
How Mandela Learned to Control His Own Mind
Mandela, like Epictetus, understood the value of gratitude and perception, and differentiated what he could potentially control from what he could not. Once those values were understood, freedom became a state of mind. That state of mind allowed Mandela to free himself and then free the people of his country, both blacks and whites alike.
We know Mandela learned to control his mind when he was in prison. But how could he free his mind while he was physically imprisoned? Well, the answer is simple yet beautiful; your body can be imprisoned – tortured, even – but your perception and mind can remain free. In other words, Mandela’s physical body was imprisoned, but his soul was free. That’s because Mandela chose to focus on what was good and he realized that what he was going through was for the ultimate greater good. He began to derive meaning from working towards a higher purpose, which is easily translatable into our own lives. Mandela found his meaning while imprisoned – a meaning that drove him to end apartheid and to eventually reach the top of South African government.
Mandela’s mindset is something few possess, but one that Stoic philosophy wholeheartedly embraces and teaches. If Mandela had not practiced Stoic thinking, he likely would have succumbed under his terrible conditions and the apartheid of South Africa may have ended a lot more violently. Or worse, Mandela may never have secured freedom for himself and for black Africans against the shackles of apartheid.
Finally, Mandela Teaches Us Why Stoicism Is Important for Leadership
President Nelson Mandela has shown us that it only takes one man with a strong mentality and a forgiving nature to free and unite a whole country. He is a symbol that reminds us to fight for our freedom against oppression, but also to free our own minds from themselves. We always have a choice to view our circumstances in a different light. Mandela also reminds us what it means to be great. Fighting for what is right does not immediately make you great; fighting for what is right, in the right way, is what makes you great. For that reason, among many others, Mandela can truly be considered a great man.
The reason he was able to achieve what he did, in the way he did it, was due to his positive outlook on life. Mandela possessed a Stoic mentality that few have, which makes him comparable and equal to the great Stoics of ancient times. Mandela can be considered a modern-day Seneca, as he remains a symbol of wisdom, reason, forgiveness, morality, strength and fortitude.
So, why should you practice Stoicism? Just take a look at Nelson Mandela and all he accomplished. You may not be fighting against oppression, or be unfairly imprisoned, or be the next world leader, but you can still live your life like Mandela did by adopting forgiveness and positivity into your mindset. Practicing Stoicism will help you free your mind and make you a better person, and possibly even make you great.
