Stoicism for a Better Life – Weekly exercise (December 8, 2019)

Hello there,

This week on Stoicism for a Better Life, let us work towards spending our time more wisely and in a value-added way in the pursuit of a tranquil and meaningful life. The Moral Letters of Seneca to Lucillius – LXII 2:

“But I spend my time in the company of all the best; no matter in what lands they may have lived, or in what age, I let my thoughts fly to them.”

Here, Seneca is referring to the books that he spent much time reading. Whether in exile with ample free time, or an advisor to the emperor with little time for leisurely activities, Seneca always kept reading collections from the great philosophers, novelists, historians and political writers that he had access to. Why was this important to him? Because knowing more about the world and how it works helps make sense of it easier and thus making good rational judgments more likely.

The Stoics focused on mainly three categories of education:

• Physics – How things work (destiny)
• Ethics – Relating to others in the community of rational beings (Custom or habits)
• Logic – The individual’s faculties of judgment and assent (Reasoning tools) 

If one knows how the world works to better understand it, learns about the behaviour patterns of the community to assimilate with them and cultivates the tools to rationally and intelligently reason about all these variables, one should then be able to face any situation with equanimity…well, so goes the theory.

All Seneca is doing here is reminding us that we must continue to cultivate our mind as much as we can, and we need not go any further than the written word to do so. We live in a time of more books being published and available than ever before. And all these books are also more accessible than ever before. Yet we spend more time reading non-value added “click-bait” type articles or “shock and awe” type news headlines (or worse) not reading at all), rather than reading something that would help us become better human beings. 

So, this week, dedicate more time to read something of value-added to your faculties that matter. Grab an old book that had an impact on you and re-read it. Grab a new book that you have been wanting to read but always told yourself “I’m too busy”. Might I even humbly suggest grabbing a copy of one of my two books if you have not done so already? Whatever it is you decide to read, make some time for it and make reading it a priority in your schedule.

As always, I wish you a wise, tranquil and productive week. If you can, share how you are progressing with your exercise. Your journey may very well inspire others. 

Anderson Silver

(Author of “Your User’s Manual” and “Vol 2: Your Duality Within”)