This Too Shall Pass
Life in the ancient world was full of adversity. If you lived to adulthood, you likely endured war, famine, plague, or some combination of the three.
And yet…
In antiquity, there was a flowering of philosophical approaches to the art of living well and even flourishing while navigating such difficulties.
One of the most enduring of those traditions is Stoicism. Within this tradition is pragmatic wisdom and a practical, straightforward approach to stave off anxiety, cultivate resilience, and find meaning in any challenge you face.
The Three Disciplines
Stoicism, more than any other approach, is a lived philosophical practice. Epictetus, an important Stoic teacher, established three core practices, or disciplines.
“The Discipline of Desire,” sometimes called the Discipline of Perception, has to do with how we see our situation and acceptance of our fate.
“The Discipline of Action,” has to do with our attitude and approach to any moment with altruism and for the common good.
“The Discipline of Assent,” sometimes called the discipline of will, has to do with mindfulness and cultivation of character and virtue.
These disciplines provide an easy to understand template for executing the art of living well. For the Stoics this included cultivating equanimity and tranquility in any circumstance.
Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor who employed Stoic exercises to help him navigate the challenges of executing his duties, summed up the three disciplines in his journal this way:
Objective judgment, now, at this very moment.
Unselfish action, now, at this very moment.
Willing acceptance— now, at this very moment—of all external events.
That's all you need. — Marcus Aurelius
Practicing the Disciplines
Acknowledging things as they are through the discipline of desire or perception is the first step. Stating what is going on without value judgment or strong emotive language helps decatastrophize situations. This allows us to avoid clinging to unhealthy emotional reactions.
We can then set an aim that enhances the prospects for all concerned through the discipline of action. Stepping into a better possibility with intention and integrity helps stave off anxiety while leaning into uncertainty.
We can find meaning in any moment and significance in any situation. The discipline of assent helps us engage with our agency over our thoughts and actions, develop excellence of character, and cultivate virtues like humility, patience, and resilience.
Through the three disciplines, we become better human beings. We promote flourishing for ourselves and others through adversity. We discover that life is not happening to us but through us.
Elsewhere in his journal, Marcus restates the three disciplines this way:
Everywhere, at each moment, you have the option:
to accept this event with humility
to treat this person as they should be treated
to approach this thought with care, so that nothing irrational creeps in
What situation are you in now? How can you employ the three disciplines to lean into adversity with clarity, compassion, and character?
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Scott Perry - Difference Maker at Creative on Purpose.
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