What you call meditation, I call contemplation. It's not a semantical difference. It's a different practice. I do both. I'm not looking for my true self. I am rather certain that there is no durable self. I am far more interested in observing what appears in consciousness. It's a lot more fun. Let's keep practicing.
I don’t think there is a real problem of over indulging in this practice, because “The Practice” starts the moment your eyes open in the morning until you lay your head down for heavenly sleep in the evening. And if by chance lucid dreaming is in play -- Philosophy as a Way of Life -- continues into the dream.
Pierre Hadot’s understanding of Philosophy as a Way of Life that includes Spiritual Exercises is the magnet that keeps me riveted and fills my heart with joy and gratitude for being lucky enough to discover this before I was too old and on my deathbed. Though I find modern life overrated and overwhelming with it’s misguided gravitational pull in the wrong direction that eventually seeps all our strength from our innate vitality -- it is so beneficial to find a practice that is a refuge that blossoms into an “Inner Citadel”.
Hello Massimo, thank you! Do you have any advice for over indulging in this practice?
Not spending majority of the day with books and lectures, but when progress is being made in practicing reasonable existence, the feeling of being better then or having an advantage over another is very present. Especially in competition.
Maksym, competition? I'm not sure I understand, could you elaborate?
As for over indulging in practice, I hardly think that's possible, frankly. If anything, our lives are so busy that it's going to be difficult to find the time to practice at all.
But if that concerns you, think of it as itself an exercise in self-mastery: make it a priority not to spend all your day reading books!
Gary, you seem to be taking the Aristotelian, not Stoic, conception of eudaimonia. For Aristotle eudaimonia does depend on externals, but for the Stoics it is entirely an "inside job," so to speak. It only depends on our virtue.
Gary, if that mom or dad has adopted Stoicism as their philosophy of life they'll know that they have no control over externals, but they'll also know that they can behave virtuously regardless of the circumstances. That will be of great consolation. And it may even help materially.
Gary, minimalism is a relative term. For instance, the Cynics were far more minimalist than the Stoics. In turn, the Stoics are far more minimalist than contemporary consumerist culture.
What you call meditation, I call contemplation. It's not a semantical difference. It's a different practice. I do both. I'm not looking for my true self. I am rather certain that there is no durable self. I am far more interested in observing what appears in consciousness. It's a lot more fun. Let's keep practicing.
Ron, yes, those are different things, and they can each be helpful, in their own respects.
Thank you universe…
I don’t think there is a real problem of over indulging in this practice, because “The Practice” starts the moment your eyes open in the morning until you lay your head down for heavenly sleep in the evening. And if by chance lucid dreaming is in play -- Philosophy as a Way of Life -- continues into the dream.
Pierre Hadot’s understanding of Philosophy as a Way of Life that includes Spiritual Exercises is the magnet that keeps me riveted and fills my heart with joy and gratitude for being lucky enough to discover this before I was too old and on my deathbed. Though I find modern life overrated and overwhelming with it’s misguided gravitational pull in the wrong direction that eventually seeps all our strength from our innate vitality -- it is so beneficial to find a practice that is a refuge that blossoms into an “Inner Citadel”.
Melville, I too am very grateful to have discovered Hadot, and happy to share his insights in order to widen his audience even further.
Hello Massimo, thank you! Do you have any advice for over indulging in this practice?
Not spending majority of the day with books and lectures, but when progress is being made in practicing reasonable existence, the feeling of being better then or having an advantage over another is very present. Especially in competition.
Maksym, competition? I'm not sure I understand, could you elaborate?
As for over indulging in practice, I hardly think that's possible, frankly. If anything, our lives are so busy that it's going to be difficult to find the time to practice at all.
But if that concerns you, think of it as itself an exercise in self-mastery: make it a priority not to spend all your day reading books!
Gary, you seem to be taking the Aristotelian, not Stoic, conception of eudaimonia. For Aristotle eudaimonia does depend on externals, but for the Stoics it is entirely an "inside job," so to speak. It only depends on our virtue.
Gary, if that mom or dad has adopted Stoicism as their philosophy of life they'll know that they have no control over externals, but they'll also know that they can behave virtuously regardless of the circumstances. That will be of great consolation. And it may even help materially.
Gary, minimalism is a relative term. For instance, the Cynics were far more minimalist than the Stoics. In turn, the Stoics are far more minimalist than contemporary consumerist culture.