What is Stoicism and Why Should You Practice It?
Part 1
Before we discuss how to get started with Stoicism, it’s important that you first understand what it is. Stoicism is more than a philosophy; it is a way of life. It has many benefits, such as offering spiritual cleansing and emotional healing. Stoicism can also give meaning to your life by providing you with both an ethical and logical foundation, which are the two tenets of Stoicism. Moreover, Stoicism promotes the idea that each and every person should try to fulfill their intellectual, emotional and spiritual potentials.
Stoics believe we can achieve our potential by living a simple, yet disciplined life. In their philosophy, the best path to happiness is living a simple life, as we do not need much to be truly happy. As long as we have the basics in life – family, friends, health, education, food, water and housing – we can be satisfied. Among these tenets, a Stoic’s idea of happiness also involves not caring about what others think, respecting oneself and possessing strong self-esteem.
Part 2
The easiest way to get involved with Stoicism is to read about the great philosophers, such as Zeno, Seneca, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. Each of these men explored the meaning of Stoicism to provide their readers with a new understanding of life. They each documented their own Stoic lifestyles, and can offer examples on how we can live as Stoics. For example, you can read Emperor Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, which is a guide on how to live and act as a Stoic. It is a relatively easy read and can provide you with the tools needed to get started.
If you don’t want to waste a lot of time reading lengthy documents, you can check out our short but comprehensive articles on the philosophers Zeno, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus. Otherwise, if you’re looking for an overview of the philosophy, you can check out our Beginners Guide to Stoicism, Top 10 Stoic Mental Exercises for a Sound Mind, the 10 Best Books on Stoicism, and many more readings, which can all be found on our website The Wise Mind.
Part 3
If you read the above-mentioned works, perhaps you will be encouraged to start practicing Stoicism. This philosophy will provide you with confidence and self-control necessary to succeed in life. It will give you an appreciation for what you have in life and can help you find your meaning. Additionally, you will learn to stop obsessing over what you do not have. Humans tend to focus on what they lack, rather than appreciate what they have. Stoicism tells us not to follow that unsound path and instead helps us find our way to positivity and gratefulness.
Moreover, Stoics believe that no matter what obstacle is put in front of you, you can succeed in life and reach the top. It is not the obstacle that is blocking your path to success, it is your own doubt and insecurities. Stoicism will show that you, and only you, are in control of your destiny and state of mind. If you can realize that and capitalize on it, then success might not be far off for you.
Part 4
Stoicism also emphasizes burying your prejudices, which makes it a very valuable philosophy for society. Stoics believe in listening and being open-minded to the opinions of others. As Zeno, the father of Stoicism, once uttered: “We have two ears and one mouth, so we should listen more than we say”. However, open-mindedness is not merely geared towards respecting other peoples’ ideas, beliefs and views; being open-minded encompasses many other things. For example, learning about something new, trying a new dish for the first time, traveling to a new place with a novel culture, or even reading a new genre of book.
If you practice Stoicism, you will become more open-minded and diplomatic in your attitude towards other people and their beliefs, views and ideas. Finally, you will become more familiar with yourself and your subconscious mind will eventually seem less foreign to you.
Part 5
In addition, Stoicism teaches you to be self-independent and courageous. According to the ancient Stoics, this is achieved through standing up for yourself and your beliefs, views and ideas. In fact, Stoics provide you with the theoretical tools to become self-autonomous. These tools include learning through study and reading, improving your ethical values, and practicing self-discipline and moderation.
So, how can you combine all these factors to achieve self-independence? First, discipline yourself by focusing on the task at hand (as the saying goes: “duty before pleasure”). However, do not burn yourself out; always practice moderation in what you do. Second, avoid becoming angry and agitated while working; instead, stay calm and learn to respect the work you are doing. This not only encompasses self-discipline, but also ethics. Anger and losing control are signs of barbarity, while calmness is a sign of civility and intelligence. Be moral to others and you shall in turn be moral to yourself.
Part 6
Practicing Stoicism can also give you a sense of pride and confidence you may never have felt before. Completing a challenge, usually one you are passionate about, is the best way to find a new sense of confidence and pride. Even if you don’t succeed at first, there is progress in the act of trying. The beauty of it is that you can never truly lose; you can only gain. Trying is the greatest form of improvement. Through this process and by practicing Stoicism, you will improve your self-discipline, self-belief, and confidence, even if those areas were previously lacking.
To Conclude
So, how do you get started with Stoicism? There is no single answer; it all depends on you. That being said, if you don’t know where to look, we suggest first reading the various works written by the ancient Stoics. Second, it can be more relatable if you look at some examples of contemporary Stoics – this way you can get a clearer idea of how you can practice Stoicism in our modern world. Third, the best way to get started with Stoicism is filling yourself with positivity and improving your state of mind.
