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Dear Meditator,
One of the things that I really love about Stoicism is that it is practiced in "real life." Stoic philosophers were never secluded but, on the contrary, active citizens. I have always struggled with the notion of going somewhere alone in a retreat or in a cave in the mountain to seek "the truth." I have always found that the "me, alone to focus" is often too Ego driven. It is contrarian to Nature. We, humans, are meant to live in packs, in tribes, in communities. Yes, sometimes it is good to get out of the craziness of big cities, but most importantly, it is essential to find peace and serenity within ourselves, no matter where we are. It is too easy to be peaceful and calm alone in a cabin on top of the mountains in the middle of nowhere. But can you find the same peace in your car stuck in traffic? Can you find the same peace during your kid's loud birthday party? Can you find the same peace while facing adversity?
Epictetus says in his Discourses:
"For a person shifts their caution to their own reasoned choices and the acts of those choices, they will at the same time gain the will to avoid, but if they shift their caution away from their own reasoned choices to things not under their control, seeking to avoid what is controlled by others, they will then be agitated, fearful, and unstable."You see? You can be in control of your serenity, your calm, and your inner peace. Because it depends on your actions, on your decisions, not on your environment.
Yesterday in my private coaching practice, one of my students told me: I skipped meditation this week because we had visitors and it was too loud. My answer was to go the other way - precisely because your peace is disrupted, you must practice serenity. If you always need to avoid chaos to be content, you will never be successful. Think of a superhero; what would he be if he was super strong, heroic, and virtuous, but ONLY when things are easy. Remember that courage is not the absence of fear, but virtuous action DESPITE fear or IN THE FACE of adversity.
Homework:
- When have you made excuses for yourself because of what is around you instead of focusing on what is within you?
- Practice one meditation today in a place that is not ideal.
Let me know how it goes!
LOVE + SOUL HUGS
Raphael
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