Stoicism : First Principles:
Principle #1 :
If any external thing causes you distress, it is not the thing itself that troubles you, but your own judgment about it. And this you have the power to eliminate now
Principle 1:
According to Stoicism , you are not riled up by events
You are riled up by your judgment of event!
Montaigne says this :
“We are not tormented by things
But by the opinions that we have for them”
The taste of good and evil things depends on the opinion
We have on them”
Cicero goes a step further on the first principles:
Grief: Recent opinion of present evil - Which seems right to feel downcast
Joy: Recent opinion of present good - which seems right to feel elated
Fear: Opinion of impending evil - which seems unbearable
Lust: Opinion of good to come - that would be better if we already have it here;
This has an interesting parallel to the Yoga Philosophy:
In Yoga philosophy, the middle step in above figure, Judgment/ Opinion is called: Vrtti
Vrtti means ripples caused in the serene - mind lake due to pebbles thrown called judgment about external influences!
And a Yogi is one who has learned to restrain the Vrttis.
This restraint is attained through practice and detachment!
Stoicism: Principle #2:
Refuse to worry about things, beyond your control or outside your power!
Epicteteus says: Discourses:
If you gape after externals (that which you have no control over),
you will invariably be forced up and down,
According to the will of your master.
And who is your master?
Whichever has the power over things you are trying to gain or avoid!
And who is a slave?
Those who are worried or complain about externals!
Be detached from things that are not up to you!
Stoicism Principle #3:
Everything you see changes in a moment
And will soon be gone!
