Stoicism for a Better Life – Weekly exercise (March 29, 2020)

Hello there,

For this exercise, let us look at an excerpt from the Moral Letters of Seneca to Lucillius XLVII:

“Show me someone who isn’t a slave! One is a slave to lust, another to greed, another to power, and all are slaves to fear…No servitude is more abject than the self-imposed.”

You may not like the sound of it, or want to admit it, but here’s a dose of truth and a hard pill to swallow for you: We’re all addicts in one way or another. To recognize this, you must recognize that an addiction is not limited to substances. It could be an addiction to your phones, television, company, gym, work, attention, praise, accomplishments and achievements, a game, etc. Given our human nature, it is all too easy to get addicted to something that gives us a sense of purpose, or joy, or distract us or help us rationalize the impermanent temporal life we live, or a combination of all.  

Most addictions may seem harmless on the surface. You may ask “so what’s the big deal if I’m a foodie and am addicted to eating different types of foods to help experience life to it’s fullest potential?!” The problem is not in the act itself, but rather in the addictive patter. Our dependencies mean we’re not in control of our own lives and decisions – the dependency is.

So, as a practical exercise this week, identify your addiction (YES you have one) and see if you may not be able to curb it for a day, or two or three. If you feel aggitated at having to refrain from it, this should be all the more reason (and motivation) to try and limit this dependency.

You guys have a great week and I wish you a wise, tranquil and productive journey. If you’re brave enough, why not share your addiction with us and how you plan to reduce your dependency? It may help someone else in their journey.

Anderson Silver

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