Reflections on The Daily Stoic:

• The Discipline of Perception
• January's Theme: Clarity
• Topic: A Morning Ritual
  
• Stoic: Epictetus

Today's quote:

Ask yourself the following first thing in the morning:

• What am I lacking in attaining freedom from passion?
• What for tranquility?
• What am I? A mere body, estate-holder, or reputation? None of these things.
• What, then? A rational being.
• What then is demanded of me? Meditate on your actions.
• How did I steer away from serenity?
• What did I do that was unfriendly, unsocial, or uncaring?
• What did I fail to do in all these things?
  
  

- Discourses, 4.6.34-35

The Big Idea here is the concept of taking time regularly - each day, each morning, perhaps - to look inward, examine, and reflect. While Epictetus calls his students to reflect on Stoic philosophy, there is a biblical parallel. "Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." (Joshua 1:8) "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2)

Yes, we are called to meditate - to look inward and to examine - and to strive for those inward thoughts to reflect God's law and will. "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14) This theme is repeated throughout Psalms.

Much as Epictetus asks his followers to perform this ritual of self-examination, we are likewise called to self-examination, to ensure that we are following God: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?" (II Corinthians 13:5) We are called to such self-examination even before we partake of Communion: "So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves." (I Corinthians 11:27-29)

And to what end do we perform this self-examination? To return to God's path: "Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord." (Lamentations 3:40)

Reflections on The Daily Stoic:

• The Discipline of Perception
• January's Theme: Clarity
• Topic: Wherever You Go, There Your Choice Is
  
• Stoic: Epictetus

Today's quote:

A podium and a prison is each a place, one high and the other low, but in either place your freedom of choice can be maintained if you so wish.

- Discourses, 2.6.25

In whatever circumstance or station in life we find ourselves, we always retain our freedom of choice to determine how we will perceive our situation and how we will use it.

We begin by acknowledging that wherever we are, in whatever circumstances, and whatever we are doing, we are called to honor God. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (I Corinthians 10:31) "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24)

We then choose to be content in our circumstances, by recognizing that we are in Christ. "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:11-13)

Then, we recognize that God may have a purpose for us in our current circumstances - and further, that our true status comes from our identification in Christ. "Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them." (I Corinthians 7:20-24)

Perhaps God has called us to be his witness to those in a higher station. Let us be content. "All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered... But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." (I Timothy 6:1,6-7)

Perhaps God has entrusted us with a higher station so that we can bless others. Let us not lose sight of where our real treasure is. "But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses... Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." (I Timothy 6:11-12,17-19)

"The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen." (I Peter 4:7-11)

Reflections on The Daily Stoic:

• The Discipline of Perception
• January's Theme: Clarity
• Topic: Reboot the Real Work
  
• Stoic: Epictetus

Today's quote:

I am your teacher and you are learning in my school. My aim is to bring you to completion, unhindered, free from compulsive behavior, unrestrained, without shame, free, flourishing, and happy, looking to God in things great and small - your aim is to learn and diligently practice all these things. Why then don't you complete the work, if you have the right aim and I have both the right aim and right preparation? What is missing? ...The work is quite feasible, and is the only thing in our power... Let go of the past. We must only begin. Believe me and you will see.

- Discourses, 2.19.29-34

Just as the Stoic philosophers worked in the lives of their students, and instructed their students to begin their own philosophical work, as Christians we know that God has worked and is working in our lives - for our good and for His glory. "...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6) "...for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Philippians 2:13) "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

Likewise, He calls us to carry out our own good works, compelled by our faith, to further His kingdom. Much as Epictetus tells his students, the work to which we as Christians are called can be viewed as both feasible and the only thing within our power. "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling..." (Philippians 2:12) "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10)

"Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Hebrews 13:20-21)

Reflections on The Daily Stoic:

• The Discipline of Perception
• January's Theme: Clarity
• Topic: Circle of Control
  
• Stoic: Epictetus

Today's quote:

We control our reasoned choice and all acts that depend on that moral will. What's not under our control are the body and any of its parts, our possessions, parents, siblings, children, or country - anything with which we might associate.

- Discourses, 1.22.10

We have already touched on this topic of even our own bodies not being under our direct control. And while I understand the point being made here, I think it is important to remember that we are still given many things - our bodies, our health, our families, our wealth, etc. - for which we are called to be good stewards, and the use of which we will one day be called to account.

In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the master entrusts his servants with varying amounts of gold, for which he expects an increase upon his return. Did the servants have direct control over the return on whatever investment to which they applied their allotment? No. And yet the master still expected an accounting. Investments incur risk, and could be lost entirely. Yet the master told the servant who merely buried his gold that he should have at least done exactly that - invested it.

Our bodies are not under our direct control, yet we are called both to master our bodies in both a physical and a mental sense, and to ensure that our bodies are appropriate vessels as a temple for the Holy Spirit. We do not have absolute control over our health, to be sure. But we can exercise moderation and restraint and discipline, rather than gluttony and drunkenness and sloth. And I think this distinction aligns with the Stoic philosophy articulated here by Epictetus, because it involves exercise of reasoned choice and acts that depend on our moral will.

These same verses bear repeating: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies." (I Corinthians 6:19-20) "Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (I Corinthians 9:26-27)

The same principles apply to our possessions, our parents, our siblings, our children, and our country. We are stewards of our possessions. We do not have ultimate control over how we obtain them or their ultimate disposition; we have full control over our choices in how we use them while we possess them. We do not have ultimate control over the choices that our children will make; we have full control over how we raise them while they remain under our care and authority. I need not mention how little control we have over our country; yet we have full control over our participation in our country's politics and full control over how we respond to politics, policy, and sociopolitical issues.

And for all of the above, that is why I find myself much more likely today to ignore television and social media, and instead go for a walk outside with my daughters.