Stoicism for a Better Life – Weekly exercise (February 6, 2019)

Hello there,

This week let us draw inspiration from Seneca LX 2&3:

“How long shall we go on making demands upon the gods, as if we were still unable to support ourselves? How long shall we continue to fill with grain the market-places of our great cities? How long must the people gather it in for us? How long shall many ships convey the requisites for a single meal, bringing them from no single sea? The bull is filled when he feeds over a few acres; and one forest is large enough for a herd of elephants. Man, however, draws sustenance both from the earth and from the sea. What, then? Did nature give us bellies so insatiable, when she gave us these puny bodies, that we should outdo the hugest and most voracious animals in greed?”

Seneca is ahead of his time here, as he’s preaching buying local food, long before there was an environmental epidemic of industrial farming. We all need to eat. This is one of three requirements that the universe forces on us (food, water, rest). Everything else is superfluous and one can live without them and have a good life worthy of living.

However, even though we must eat, much like everything else we can simplify it. It is possible to make wholesome foods using local ingredients. Not only will it save us money and time, both of which can then be used to work towards the betterment of the human community, but it can reduce the impact we have on the planet, thus once again working toward the betterment of the human cosmopolis.

So this week, when you are out for dinner, or doing groceries and cooking at home, be mindful of what you are buying. Try and gravitate towards locally grown and produced foods. And when cooking, remind yourself that a healthy plate does not necessitate much more than a handful of ingredients. Try and eat a simple wholesome meal. We can be virtuous even in the what we eat.

Good luck to you all and we all look forward to hearing each others’ stories.

Anderson Silver

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