Ep 124 Cultivating Self Mastery

“He who controls others may be powerful, but he who has mastered himself is mightier still.”

~ Lao Tzu

 

The ancient philosopher, teacher and Stoic, Epictetus said, “Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not.”

It takes wisdom and the habit of thoughtful effort to discern the difference.  The things that are within our control are simple and few, but powerful!

1. Our own opinions and behaviors (basically, our responses to outside events and stimuli)
2. Our aspirations and desires
3. The things that repel us

He goes on to say, “It is only after you have faced up to this fundamental rule and learned to distinguish between what you can and can’t control that inner tranquility, and outer effectiveness become possible.”

We are all likely, familiar with the AA Serenity Prayer – “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

Serenity, courage and wisdom; three powerful and effective self-mastery tools we can all learn to use to sharpen and apply to every area of our lives.  If you a were person who could practice living this prayer from moment to moment to moment, you would be an extraordinarily wise and happy person who has attained self-mastery.  Whether you want to lose weight, learn to control you tongue, or even start a business, self-mastery is the key.

Believe me, I know this is no easy feat!  Thomas a Kempis asks, “Who is forced to struggle more than he who tries to master himself?”  And then he goes on to assert, “This ought to be our purpose, then: to conquer self, to become stronger each day, to advance in virtue.”

I mentioned the ancient stoics, men like Epictetus, Seneca, and Marcus Aurelius.  These extraordinary human beings grasped this concept and lived it in their daily lives.  They knew and understood what it meant to struggle.  They were warriors of the mind (vs. librarians of the mind).  They were super engaged in their society and dealt with struggles and challenges beyond what most of us have to face.

The Stoic, Epictetus was born a slave, and had his leg broken by his master. He remained crippled for life, and obtained his freedom somewhere in his twenties or thirties, after the death of Nero.  He acquired a passion for philosophy and received permission from his master to study under the esteemed Roman philosopher Musonius Rufus. Epictetus lived a life of great simplicity and eventually founded a Greek school of philosophy.  It was a strenuous curriculum, more like a gymnasium of the mind than an exercise in rhetorical studies. 

He was a huge influence on Marcus Aurelius, who went on to become the emperor of Rome, and a highly influential Stoic philosopher in his own right.  During turbulent times, Aurelius ruled with wisdom and justice.  His philosophical work “Meditations’ is still studied by philosophers all over the world today.

Another Stoic of the time, Seneca, was a Roman statesman, playwright, and adviser to the Roman emperor, Nero.

What significance do these ancient, outdated sages and Stoics have to do with you and me today?

All three were deeply involved as leaders in their community and culture.  They experienced, felt, and understood the day-to-day outer struggles and challenges of dealing with difficult people and situations, as well as the inner battles and opposition to achieving personal self-mastery.  And, all three understood the importance of living in harmony and balance with Nature.  They lived what they taught.

Epictetus and Seneca were banished from Rome for their influential teachings and beliefs.  And Seneca was later forced by Nero to take hi