|
Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy founded in Athens around 300 BCE by Zeno of Citium. It is not a religion in the traditional sense but a philosophical school that teaches virtue, wisdom, and resilience in facing adversity. Stoicism focuses on personal ethics informed by logic and views emotions as responses that can be controlled through reason. |
Here are the key aspects of Stoicism:
Core Beliefs
Stoics believe in:
Virtue as the highest good and sole basis for happiness
Living in accordance with reason and nature
Accepting what is beyond our control with equanimity
Cultivating self-discipline, fortitude, and wisdom
The interconnectedness of all humanity (cosmopolitanism)
Origins and History
Stoicism was founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium around 300 BCE. It flourished as one of the major schools of Hellenistic philosophy and later became popular among Romans. Key figures include Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius.
Modern Followers
While there are no official statistics on modern Stoic practitioners, the philosophy has seen a resurgence of interest in recent years. Followers can be found worldwide, particularly in Western countries, but Stoicism is not an organized religion with formal membership.
Texts
Stoicism does not have "holy books" in the religious sense, but key texts include:
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Enchiridion by Epictetus
Letters from a Stoic by Seneca
Discourses by Epictetus
Example Teachings
"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." - Marcus Aurelius
"He who fears death will never do anything worthy of a man who is alive." - Seneca
"Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it." - Epictetus
"Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one." - Marcus Aurelius
"We suffer more often in imagination than in reality." - Seneca
"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." - Epictetus
"You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think." - Marcus Aurelius
"If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment." - Marcus Aurelius
"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." - Epictetus
"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts." - Marcus Aurelius
Stoicism is a practical philosophy focused on personal ethics, rational thinking, and living virtuously. It continues to influence modern thought and self-improvement practices.
Core Beliefs
Stoics believe in:
Virtue as the highest good and sole basis for happiness
Living in accordance with reason and nature
Accepting what is beyond our control with equanimity
Cultivating self-discipline, fortitude, and wisdom
The interconnectedness of all humanity (cosmopolitanism)
Origins and History
Stoicism was founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium around 300 BCE. It flourished as one of the major schools of Hellenistic philosophy and later became popular among Romans. Key figures include Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius.
Modern Followers
While there are no official statistics on modern Stoic practitioners, the philosophy has seen a resurgence of interest in recent years. Followers can be found worldwide, particularly in Western countries, but Stoicism is not an organized religion with formal membership.
Texts
Stoicism does not have "holy books" in the religious sense, but key texts include:
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
Enchiridion by Epictetus
Letters from a Stoic by Seneca
Discourses by Epictetus
Example Teachings
"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." - Marcus Aurelius
"He who fears death will never do anything worthy of a man who is alive." - Seneca
"Don't explain your philosophy. Embody it." - Epictetus
"Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one." - Marcus Aurelius
"We suffer more often in imagination than in reality." - Seneca
"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." - Epictetus
"You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think." - Marcus Aurelius
"If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment." - Marcus Aurelius
"He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." - Epictetus
"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts." - Marcus Aurelius
Stoicism is a practical philosophy focused on personal ethics, rational thinking, and living virtuously. It continues to influence modern thought and self-improvement practices.
Prayers
Stoicism, as a philosophy rather than a religion, does not include traditional prayers. However, there are passages from Stoic texts that can be interpreted as meditative reflections, affirmations, or philosophical "prayers" that people can use as guidance. Here are ten commonly cited Stoic reflections or affirmations that resemble "prayers" for mindfulness, resilience, and virtue, translated into English with brief citations:
"Grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference." – Often associated with Stoic principles (and adapted in the Serenity Prayer), this aligns with Epictetus' teachings on control.
"Today, I shall meet people who are meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, deceitful, envious, and selfish; they are like this because they cannot tell good from evil." – Meditations, Marcus Aurelius
"I can choose not to be harmed—and I won’t feel harmed. I can choose not to be angry—and I won’t be angry. We suffer only as much as we allow ourselves." – Meditations, Marcus Aurelius
"Do not ask that events should happen as you wish; instead, wish them to happen as they do happen, and your life will go smoothly." – Enchiridion, Epictetus
"Send me, O Lord, whatever trial or struggle you see fit. I am ready to face anything if I am prepared in my own heart." – Inspired by Seneca’s letters, expressing resilience in adversity
"Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action comes, stop thinking and go in." – Letters to Lucilius, Seneca
"May I become at all times, both now and forever, a protector for those without protection, a guide for those who have lost their way, a ship for those with oceans to cross." – An adaptation from Stoic values on kindness, with modern inspiration
"Strengthen me against all adversity, help me accept fate without complaint, and let me rise each time I fall." – Paraphrased Stoic reflection on resilience
"Lord, help me to desire nothing beyond what happens naturally, and to be grateful for what is beyond my control." – A modern interpretation of Stoic acceptance
"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." – Meditations, Marcus Aurelius
Each of these reflects Stoic ideals of humility, acceptance, and inner strength rather than traditional prayer, focusing on self-discipline and harmony with nature.
Stoicism, as a philosophy rather than a religion, does not include traditional prayers. However, there are passages from Stoic texts that can be interpreted as meditative reflections, affirmations, or philosophical "prayers" that people can use as guidance. Here are ten commonly cited Stoic reflections or affirmations that resemble "prayers" for mindfulness, resilience, and virtue, translated into English with brief citations:
"Grant me serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference." – Often associated with Stoic principles (and adapted in the Serenity Prayer), this aligns with Epictetus' teachings on control.
"Today, I shall meet people who are meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, deceitful, envious, and selfish; they are like this because they cannot tell good from evil." – Meditations, Marcus Aurelius
"I can choose not to be harmed—and I won’t feel harmed. I can choose not to be angry—and I won’t be angry. We suffer only as much as we allow ourselves." – Meditations, Marcus Aurelius
"Do not ask that events should happen as you wish; instead, wish them to happen as they do happen, and your life will go smoothly." – Enchiridion, Epictetus
"Send me, O Lord, whatever trial or struggle you see fit. I am ready to face anything if I am prepared in my own heart." – Inspired by Seneca’s letters, expressing resilience in adversity
"Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action comes, stop thinking and go in." – Letters to Lucilius, Seneca
"May I become at all times, both now and forever, a protector for those without protection, a guide for those who have lost their way, a ship for those with oceans to cross." – An adaptation from Stoic values on kindness, with modern inspiration
"Strengthen me against all adversity, help me accept fate without complaint, and let me rise each time I fall." – Paraphrased Stoic reflection on resilience
"Lord, help me to desire nothing beyond what happens naturally, and to be grateful for what is beyond my control." – A modern interpretation of Stoic acceptance
"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love." – Meditations, Marcus Aurelius
Each of these reflects Stoic ideals of humility, acceptance, and inner strength rather than traditional prayer, focusing on self-discipline and harmony with nature.