Reflections on The Daily Stoic:

• The Discipline of Perception
• January's Theme: Clarity
• Topic: Reignite Your Thoughts
  
• Stoic: Marcus Aurelius
  

Today's quote:

Your principles can't be extinguished unless you snuff out the thoughts that feed them, for it's continually i your power to reignite new ones... It's possible to start living again! See things anew as you once did - that is how to restart life!

- Meditations, 7.2

Just a quick thought today. I am reminded again of this: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2)

Reflections on The Daily Stoic:

• The Discipline of Perception
• January's Theme: Clarity
• Topic: See the World Like a Poet and an Artist
  
• Stoic: Marcus Aurelius
  

Today's quote:

Pass through this brief patch of time in harmony with nature, and come to your final resting place gracefully, just as a ripened olive might drop, praising the earth that nourished it and grateful to the tree that gave it growth.

- Meditations, 4.48.2

With today's quote, The Daily Stoic focuses not on the substance of the quote, but rather the rhetoric and style. How do we see the world? With what words do we express our perception and observation? Choosing the apply reason and logic in the way one deals with circumstances and choices does not have to be mutually exclusive from creativity, wit, or expressing thought in colorful metaphor.

The Bible is full of examples: David (Psalm 23); Solomon (Song of Solomon); Isaiah (Isaiah 5, Isaiah 64), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 4), and the rest of the prophets; Jesus (John 6, John 8); John (Revelation); even Paul (Acts 17, Galatians, I Thessalonians).

And what of the substance of today's quote? I am reminded again of Paul and his perspective toward the end of his life. "For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (II Timothy 4:6-8)

Reflections on The Daily Stoic:

• The Discipline of Perception
• January's Theme: Clarity
• Topic: Cut the Strings That Pull Your Mind
  
• Stoic: Marcus Aurelius
  

Today's quote:

Understand at last that you have something in you more powerful and divine than what causes the bodily passions and pulls you like a mere puppet. What thoughts now occupy my mind? Is it not fear, suspicion, desire, or something like that?

- Meditations, 12.19

We are not called to be puppets to internal or external temptation or passions. Whatever the source of bodily passions, we are called to overcome them. "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (I Corinthians 10:13) We must remain vigilant, lets we fall prey to the passions and emotions (fear, suspicion, desire, etc.) that might otherwise occupy our thoughts. "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder." (Luke 11:21-22). In fact, we must intentionally avoid such passions. "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." (Ephesians 4:31)

We are not called to be puppets to our minds, but rather to take control of our thoughts - and, therefore, our choices and actions. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2a)

Reflections on The Daily Stoic:

• The Discipline of Perception
• January's Theme: Clarity
• Topic: Where, Who, What, and Why
• Stoic: Marcus Aurelius
  

Today's quote:

A person who doesn't know what the universe is, doesn't know where they are. A person who doesn't know their purpose in life doesn't know who they are or what the universe is. A person who doesn't know any one of these things doesn't know why they are here. So what to make of people who seek or avoid the praise of those who have no knowledge of where or who they are?

- Meditations, 8.2

In Marcus Aurelius' description here, I get the sense of a person utterly adrift, not knowing who he is, where he is, or why he is there. Tragically, this is how many go through life, whether because they never understand or accept the inherent need to understand their place in the world, or perhaps worse, because they seek out those answers but never find them.

There are two admonitions in this meditation: one, as discussed by The Daily Stoic, that we should endeavor not to be such a person; and two, that seeking the praise (or wisdom, advice, or knowledge) of such people is little more than the proverbial blind leading the blind.

Thankfully, as Christians, we have the answers to these questions. We know what the universe is, where it came from, who created it, and why it was created. We know where we are in the universe. We know our purpose - why we are here.

Do not expect the world to understand, much less accept, the wisdom of God and our certainty in it. What Paul said to the church in Corinth is still true today, 2,000 years later: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe." (I Corinthians 1:18-21)

Reflections on The Daily Stoic:

• The Discipline of Perception
• January's Theme: Clarity
• Topic: The Big Three
  
• Stoic: Marcus Aurelius
  

Today's quote:

All you need are these: certainty of judgment in the present moment; action for the common good in the present moment; and an attitude of gratitude in the present moment for anything that comes your way.

- Meditations, 9.6

Today's quote and reading introduce the three Disciplines of stoic philosophy: Perception, Action, and Will.

In stoic philosophy, the discipline of perception, also referred to as mindfulness or assent, correlates to the field of logic (derived from logic, reason, rhetoric, and truth) and is expressed through the virtues of courage and temperance. The stoics taught that we must control our perceptions - to live in harmony with our nature as rational beings, and in accord with reason and truth in thoughts and speech. This principle may be described as prosochê: attention to the faculty of our own minds, withholding our assent so as not to get carried away by irrational and unhealthy passions and vices.

From a biblical perspective, we are called to the same discipline. As Paul instructs the church as Ephesus: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians 4:29-32) And as Paul encourages the church at Philippi: "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

In stoic philosophy, the discipline of action, also referred to as philanthropy, correlates to the field of ethics (derived from our understanding of what is morally good, bad, and indifferent) and is expressed through the virtue of justice. The stoics taught that we must direct our actions properly - that they should be taken with hupexairesis (fate permitting or God willing), with koinônikai (for the common welfare), and with kat’ axian (in accord with value). This principle may be described as "love of mankind."

From a biblical perspective, we are called to the same discipline. "Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”" (Matthew 22:37-40) "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35) "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:16-18)

In stoic philosophy, the discipline of will, also referred to as acceptance or desire, correlates to the field of physics (derived from our understanding of the laws of Nature - natural science, metaphysics, and theology) and is expressed through the virtue of wisdom. The stoics taught that we must willingly accept that which is outside of our control. The principle may be described as amor fati: the love of one's fate.

From a biblical perspective, we are called to the same discipline. "“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) "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34) "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)

As Christians, we know that our ultimate happiness (the stoic concept of eudaimonia) is a matter of eternity. Because of this understanding, we can accept with hope and grace whatever earthly fate befalls us. "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-14)