Is Stoicism relevant today? A few observations from reading Epictetus
Takeaway #2 (of 5): Coming to grips with what is in my power!
Most of the major Stoic writers admonished their readers (and us) to continually ask themselves — in all situations — whether that situation is truly in their power to change or control. In my teens, twenties, thirties and even most of my forties, I believed (wrongly) that I could change anything and everything in my life. I bought into some of the celebrity hype and positive thinking hogwash that was, and still is, quite prevalent. Now that I am approaching sixty, I have had to confront the fact that there are actually very few things in my life that we can control.
Health? — not really. How do you explain the fact that many ‘healthy’ people still get diseases while some who treat their bodies like an amusement park live to a hundred?
Work? Only your tiny part of it. Even if you are a manager or executive, in reality you can’t control what others will do, act or say — certainly not all the time.
Wealth? Even the best lost wealth during the various financial crises. Prices always go up faster than incomes.
Epictetus wrote:
“You can be unconquerable if you enter into no combat in which it is not in your own power to conquer. When, therefore, you see anyone eminent in honors or power, or in high esteem on any other account, take heed not to be bewildered by appearances and to pronounce him happy; for if the essence of good consists in things within our own power, there will be no room for envy or emulation. But, for your part, do not desire to be a general, or a senator, or a consul, but to be free; and the only way to this is a disregard of things which lie not within our own power.”
Excerpt XIX From: Epictetus. “The Enchiridion.”
Ok Jeff, so what do we control or have the power to change? Our thinking and our beliefs. It may sound trite and uninspired, but it is the truth. In any given situation we can change nothing that is external to us, only our reaction to it. The most interesting aspect of the passage is how envy leads to trying to emulate others leads to make poor decisions — usually outside of our control over status, wealth, health etc.
But Jeff, Epictetus was a slave, what did you expect him to say. True, but remember that Marcus Arelias (who I am currently reading) was one of the great philosopher-kings. As emperor of Rome, you would think he would be in complete control of everything. Even he realized what little he could control outside of himself.
Aurelius provides some insight when he talks about learning from failure or challenges in life. Failure is an ingrained concept (belief in an external standard?) we inherit from parents, primary school and most of society that must be avoided at all cost. It is interesting that great language teachers want students to fail often as it means they are not intimidated to try their new shills. It is even more interesting that certain tech companies encourage failure (new ideas for apps or code) to quickly enhance products.
I am currently teaching again (which I love) but in a situation that is paying me the lowest salary in twenty years. Not because I am an ascetic by any means. But after being told by many companies ‘I am not being considered’ for positions I know I would excel at, I decided to step back and see what the universe would present. And more importantly, how I would respond or change my perspective.
I will keep you posted,
