An Introduction to Stoicism
This article will give you a brief overview of the philosophy of life, a martial art, and its religion. To learn more, read on! Here, you’ll discover how Stoics live their life. Let’s start with its main concept: the good life is characterized by moral action, harmony, and tranquility. But how does Stoicism apply to martial arts? Let’s look at some of its practical applications in this article.
Stoicism as a philosophy of life
The philosophy of Stoicism originated in the 4th century BC and was written by three Roman philosophers. Epictetus, a slave who grew up in a family of slaves, and Seneca, a playwright and political advisor, are the most famous writers associated with the philosophy. However, not many people know that the philosophy is as well suited for modern day times. To understand Stoicism and to understand its philosophy, it is helpful to look at the life and work of its authors.
According to Stoics, the entire universe is a living entity. God stands for the cosmos just as the life force of an animal stands for its body. God animates and directs the cosmos. Stoics reject the existence of a void or empty space, and therefore, equate the universe with the human body. Therefore, we can only cause what is corporeal. Thus, we cannot cause the universe to do what we don’t want it to do.
Stoicism as a martial art
The Stoics emphasize living in the present, and stressing the little things less. They stress virtue over wealth, health, and physical appearance. The best way to achieve both of these goals is by training in both martial arts and stoicism. The latter emphasizes virtue and character over the former. For those who have an interest in martial arts, a Stoic training may be the perfect complement to martial arts training.
One of the most important aspects of martial arts is the ability to slow down. Mastery of techniques requires time and practice. You won’t learn a style overnight. Stoics, on the other hand, remain calm in any situation. They practice staying calm under pressure, and they focus on the present rather than the future. Despite the challenges, they are not concerned about the future and are content with what they have.
Stoicism as a philosophy of ethics
While we all strive for a good life, only the wise can attain it. This is because most people misapply the terms good and happiness, associating them with indifferent moral states. But Stoics extended this philosophical perspective beyond what we generally prize and made it relevant to conventionally valued items. The goal is to live life in accordance with nature and not to be swept up in the pleasure of the moment.
In Stoicism, we are always under control of our actions and we are able to respond to events and circumstances in virtuous ways. We can rest assured that we are living a good life if we do the right thing, no matter what may happen. We should also practice stoicism by putting ourselves in extreme situations, such as poverty or a worst-case scenario. This will help us understand that our actions affect the world around us.
Stoicism as a religion
The ancient Stoics viewed the cosmos as a cyclical system of causes and effects. Everything in the world, including people and things, exists in a state of continual creation and destruction. The Stoic god, or cosmogon, does not have a specific body, but exists in nature as a composite of a passive principle and an active principle. His acts are not specific to individuals and do not require any faith in the supernatural or miracles. The ancient Stoics regarded this relationship as a positive step towards virtue.
Stoicism is a time-consuming philosophy that requires intense concentration and self-control. Some people may dismiss it as “too hard” or not “so-called” because they do not meet the ideal. There is no perfect Stoic. All philosophy is about striving for an ideal, and this is also true for Stoicism. In fact, one of the biggest challenges in embracing Stoicism is understanding what you can’t control.
