Stoicism for a Better Life – Weekly exercise (February 9, 2020)
Today, I would like to try something different, and instead of starting with a quote from one of our ancient guides, I would like to begin with a story about our ancient guides’ own historical guide: Diogenes.
One day, Alexander the Great came up to Diogenes, whom he admired very much, and noted the vagrant philosopher was frantically digging around in a pile of human bones. Puzzled, the great conquerer approached Dogenese and asked him
“What the heck are you doing diggning around and throwing around these human bones?!?!”
To this, Diogenes answered:
“I am searching for the bones of your father but cannot distinguish them from those of a slave.”
When was the last time you say in silence…without occupying yourself with anything? No…trying to fall asleep at night doesn’t count. I mean when was the last time you purposefully sat in silence and just looked…and contemplated? Like Morrie out of his window? (If you haven’t already done so, definitely read Tuesdays with Morrie).
If you’re like most of us, the answer is…well never. We hate silence. We hate not being busy. We hate silence so much that it makes us physically uncomfortable. In fact, some public speakers will sometimes use inherent weirdness as an intimidation tactic. When we’re idle, we feel like we’re doing something fundamentally wrong and sinful. So, even when it comes to the end of the day where we want to be as idle as possible to rest and relax, we would rather sit in front of a television set and purposefully zombify ourselves, than to sit in quiet contemplation, just staring out the window.
Think about those two scenarios. In both cases, the subject at hand would be staring at a window. But in one case it is a window with colourful pictures, movement and an emotionally engaging storyline that is presented in a super fast-paced manner to keep our attention. But things happen too fast, and so this communication ends being only one way. Television is designed to engage our heuristics, which are unidirectional shortcuts of our autopilot. It does not leave room for any feedback, thought or contemplation. We absorb information at a lighting pace…but the information is almost always non-value-added.
Now think of the alternative scenario. The subject is staring out the window into the world. Here things do not happen as fast. In fact, things happen almost at a snail’s pace (by our hyperconnected busy standards). In the span of an hour, there may be some cars and a few pedestrians that go by. perhaps a bird or a squirrel (or whichever local animals you may have) will make an appearance. Clouds may be moving, the sun/moon may move along its path… but in this window, the subject is allowed to think and contemplate. One can reflect and have thoughts and ideas, as opposed to absorbing as much colourful video and boisterous audio information as possible. It allows the subject to think and use their highest faculties. Which one do you think is better and more conducive to a good and tranquil life? Forget that…even simpler question: Which one sounds more welcoming and peaceful?
So, this week make some time for quiet contemplation. Don’t be afraid of your own thoughts and instead spend some time with them (and only them). Life is so short for every single one of us, no matter our walk of life, our respective challenges and responsibilities or where we happen to be in the world. And we waste so much of this precious time being busy with other things and other people, in a vain attempt to accomplish great things (like Philip of Macedonia). But before we can live amongst other people and things, we must first be okay to live with ourselves. So take the time to listen to yourself from time to time and enjoy your moment…your own moment. Lao Tzu said it best: “Those who enjoy life, get more out of it than those who employ it”.
As always, I wish you a wise, tranquil and productive week.
Anderson Silver
(Author of “Your User’s Manual” and “Vol 2: Your Duality Within”)