Stoicism Can Be Helpful in coping with an emotionally charged world.

 

Over the years I have delved into stoicism. I am discovering that the impressions I had about stoicism were very incorrect. Stocism teaches great values and common sense. 

Humans need guidance. Stoicism is so helpful, and it predates Christianity. I do remember a teacher not sure if it was in college or high school who mocked the stoics as not being Christians and believing in "the gods."

MY PROMPT

Who were the well known stoics that talked about the value of listening as a way to personal development?

Several prominent Stoics championed the importance of listening for personal growth:

Zeno of Citium: The founder of Stoicism himself is credited with the saying, "We have two ears and one mouth, therefore we should listen twice as much as we speak." This emphasizes how listening allows us to learn and refine our own understanding. [Stoic quote on listening]

Seneca: This Roman philosopher echoed Zeno's sentiment, highlighting the control we have over our speech but not over external events. By focusing on listening, we can gain wisdom from others and navigate the world more effectively.

Epictetus: While Epictetus doesn't have a direct quote on listening, his emphasis on discernment and clear judgment aligns with the Stoic view of listening as a way to understand different perspectives and avoid impulsive reactions.

It's important to note that Stoicism wasn't just a philosophical school in the ancient world, but a way of life. While these founders didn't leave extensive written works on the specific practice of listening, their core principles promoted it as a key to personal development.

Can you create some affirmations to help to improve listening for personal growth and development? 

Absolutely! Here are some affirmations to improve your listening for personal growth and development:

Focus and Presence:

"I choose to be fully present in this conversation."

"My mind is clear and open to receive what is being said."

"I quiet my own thoughts to fully absorb the speaker's message."

Active Listening:

"I actively listen to understand, not just to respond."

"I pay attention to both the words and the emotions behind them."

"I ask clarifying questions to ensure I grasp the speaker's meaning."

Empathy and Openness:

"I suspend judgment and seek to understand the speaker's perspective."

"I am open to learning from the experiences and wisdom of others."

"I cultivate empathy and compassion through listening deeply."

Growth Mindset:

"Every conversation is an opportunity to learn and grow."

"I am a better listener today than I was yesterday."

"I am committed to continually improving my listening skills."

Remember: For affirmations to be most effective, repeat them regularly with conviction. You can write them down, say them aloud during quiet moments, or personalize them to fit your specific needs.

Zeno of Citium

Zeno of Citium, considered the father of Stoicism, was a Hellenistic philosopher who lived around 334 – 262 BC. Here's a breakdown of his key points:

Founder of Stoicism:

Established Stoicism, a school of philosophy that emphasized living virtuously and in accordance with reason.

Stoicism focused on achieving inner peace and living a meaningful life through self-control and accepting what is outside our control.

Influences:

Zeno was influenced by various philosophical schools, including Cynics who emphasized living simply and virtuously, and Cynics who valued logic and reason.

Teachings:

While Zeno's writings haven't survived, we know he believed happiness came from aligning oneself with the "Logos," a universal reason that governs the universe.

He stressed living a virtuous life based on reason and logic, rather than emotions and desires.

Legacy:

Stoicism became a prominent philosophy in the ancient world and continues to influence people today. Its emphasis on reason, virtue, and resilience resonates with many.

Here are some additional resources you might find interesting:

Stoic quote on listening by Zeno: While there isn't a definitive source online, the quote "We have two ears and one mouth, therefore we should listen twice as much as we speak" is attributed to Zeno.

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on Stoicism: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/stoicism/

Seneca

Seneca, also known as Seneca the Younger (c. 4 BCE – 65 CE), was a prominent Roman statesman, philosopher, playwright, and Stoic thinker. Here's a closer look at his contributions to Stoicism:

Stoic Philosophy:

Seneca was a major figure in Roman Stoicism, leaving behind a vast body of work that heavily influenced later generations' understanding of the philosophy.

His writings, including letters, essays, and tragedies, focused on applying Stoic principles to everyday life.

Key Ideas:

Virtue and Reason: Similar to Zeno, Seneca emphasized the importance of living virtuously and acting according to reason. He believed this led to inner peace and a flourishing life.

Focus on Control: Seneca stressed the distinction between what we can control (our thoughts and actions) and what we can't (external events). By focusing on what we can control, we avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Death and Mortality: Seneca confronted the inevitability of death and encouraged facing it with courage and acceptance.

Writings and Influence:

His most famous work is likely "Letters from a Stoic," addressed to his friend Lucilius, offering practical guidance on living a Stoic life.

Seneca's work heavily influenced later thinkers and writers during the Renaissance and beyond, contributing to the enduring legacy of Stoicism.

Additional Points:

Seneca's life wasn't without controversy. He was accused of hypocrisy by some due to his wealth and political maneuvering despite advocating for simple living.

Despite the criticisms, his philosophical writings remain valuable for their insights on navigating life's challenges with reason and resilience.

Let me know if you'd like to explore specific aspects of Seneca's philosophy or writings in more detail.

Epictetus

Epictetus (c. 55 – c. 135 CE) was a prominent Stoic philosopher whose teachings, though not directly recorded by him, significantly impacted later generations. Here's a breakdown of his key contributions:

Life and Legacy:

Born a slave, Epictetus eventually gained his freedom and established a philosophy school in Rome.

Despite not leaving behind written works, his teachings were preserved by his student Arrian, who compiled them into the "Discourses" and the "Enchiridion" ("Handbook").

These texts became foundational sources for understanding Stoic ethics and achieving a flourishing life.

Core Tenets:

Virtue and Reason: Like other Stoics, Epictetus emphasized the importance of living virtuously and acting according to reason. This was the path to inner peace (eudaimonia).

Dichotomy of Control: Epictetus famously distinguished between things we can control (our judgments, desires, and actions) and things beyond our control (external events, other people's actions). Focusing on the controllable aspects reduces unnecessary suffering.

Freedom and Responsibility: True freedom, according to Epictetus, lies in aligning our desires with what is within our control. We are responsible for our judgments and reactions, not external circumstances.

Emphasis on Personal Growth:

Epictetus focused heavily on self-cultivation and personal development. He believed philosophy wasn't just intellectual understanding but a practical guide to living a good life.

His teachings stressed self-discipline, managing emotions, and living in accordance with nature (the universal order).

Impact and Influence:

Epictetus' teachings resonated with people from various backgrounds, including Roman emperors like Marcus Aurelius.

His emphasis on personal responsibility and emotional resilience has made Stoicism relevant even today.

Here are some additional resources you might find interesting:

The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy on Epictetus: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/epictetus/

Daily Stoic - Who Is Epictetus? https://dailystoic.com/epictetus/