The stoics do have a lot to teach us. As for hedonism, we live in hedonistic times. I know many who are oblivious to the horrors that await them as they sink ever lower into mindless scrolling, TV binging and other consumption.
True. I’ve seen somewhere that agency is now the necessary survival trait. Once it was strength, then through whatever else, then it became intelligence. Now it’s self command.
All of this is gold, Adam! The discussion around first and second impressions really stuck with me. And instead of panicking about the conditioned response, finding "where your power begins." I find that people I work with get stuck in the impression of the first impression, what our initial response "means" about us. That a craving or fleeting desire makes us bad or ugly or wrong. It usually then makes the desires come on even stronger because of how we fixate and respond to them. But it is just as you say, an impulse that can be unlearned over time.
Thanks Jonny! It’s definitely something I see a lot of. There’s so much shame entangled into our choices, even ones that are based on old habits or are those “first impressions”, so something not even an actual choice. But the meaning does not have to be “bad” or “good” most of the time. Once we start to neutralize the meaning, we have more power over it, I find.
Thank you so much, Adam, for sharing your insightful and very efficient philosophy of life. I deeply relate to it, so much so that I’ve been writing a series about alignment on my Substack Café 42 for the past last weeks and my 2 previous posts on the matter are about circumstances and joy (vs pleasure).
When you write « Keep looking at yourself in the eye », I would just add « and smile at yourself » to acknowledge that you are such a beautiful human being. Lots of love.
Yes- well, just living a good life. There was plenty of warning against things like indulgence and excess in ancient thinking. And they were right. The more this wisdom got diluted or forgotten about, the more we have ‘modern’ problems. Diseases of ease and affluence
Keep thinking, I should read the Stoics. But everything I would keep about their philosophies I've already found in a secular Buddhist practice. I read this piece thinking, Yeah, we have something just like that.
In another universe, probably many, that version of me is more Stoic influences. He often thinks, I should read the Buddhists.
You crack me up every time. Humorously philosophical. Yes, I think many aspects of ancient wisdom have a great deal of crossover. Thank you for reading, Damon.
So good as usual. I almost relapsed, if you want to call it that, I hate that word, last weekend. Is the subject of my next post. Next time my irrationality is getting the better of me I have to reread your entire catalog.
i read some marc aurel out of that, great article! indeed stoicism helped me take control over my urges - but it can be applied to so much more. thank you for this read mate
Pleasure is immediate. Purpose is enduring. Love that quote. What a well-written piece Adam! Stoicism has been a great benefit in my journey as well, especially internalizing what I can and can’t control.
Happy three years, my friend. This is a fantastic write up that I will be restacking. Great stuff. Keep up the awesome work that is helping so many people. 👏
Yes I think many of the cures to modern ill ways already exist in ancient texts. It’s fascinating to see what they basically warned us against, just here in everyday life.
Thanks for reading and sharing, Dana. Much appreciated. 🙏
You write so beautifully! Thank you for this piece. It really touched me in a profound way!
You’re welcome, Fierce. Glad it had that impact.
The stoics do have a lot to teach us. As for hedonism, we live in hedonistic times. I know many who are oblivious to the horrors that await them as they sink ever lower into mindless scrolling, TV binging and other consumption.
True. I’ve seen somewhere that agency is now the necessary survival trait. Once it was strength, then through whatever else, then it became intelligence. Now it’s self command.
Yes, locus of control is just the more distant term for it. Will you act on the world etc.
All of this is gold, Adam! The discussion around first and second impressions really stuck with me. And instead of panicking about the conditioned response, finding "where your power begins." I find that people I work with get stuck in the impression of the first impression, what our initial response "means" about us. That a craving or fleeting desire makes us bad or ugly or wrong. It usually then makes the desires come on even stronger because of how we fixate and respond to them. But it is just as you say, an impulse that can be unlearned over time.
Thanks Cole. Yes that idea alone is powerful. We *do* have control, but it’s within the further inspection of the first wave.
Interesting thought that Cole. I hadn’t thought of the fleeting desire making us feel bad, making us want to comfort our selves even more
Thanks Jonny! It’s definitely something I see a lot of. There’s so much shame entangled into our choices, even ones that are based on old habits or are those “first impressions”, so something not even an actual choice. But the meaning does not have to be “bad” or “good” most of the time. Once we start to neutralize the meaning, we have more power over it, I find.
Again …. a wonderful reflection….. neutralise the meaning and have more control’
Thank you so much, Adam, for sharing your insightful and very efficient philosophy of life. I deeply relate to it, so much so that I’ve been writing a series about alignment on my Substack Café 42 for the past last weeks and my 2 previous posts on the matter are about circumstances and joy (vs pleasure).
When you write « Keep looking at yourself in the eye », I would just add « and smile at yourself » to acknowledge that you are such a beautiful human being. Lots of love.
Thank you Geraldine, and wonderful addition. 🫶
Well written and so much wisdom here 👏👏
Much appreciated, Darcy 🙏
Works for me Adam.
The Serenity Prayer.
This too shall pass.
Do the next right thing.
Pause when agitated.
Amazing when you think that much of the foundation of AA—and of sober living in general—comes from an ancient philosophy. 🙏
Yes- well, just living a good life. There was plenty of warning against things like indulgence and excess in ancient thinking. And they were right. The more this wisdom got diluted or forgotten about, the more we have ‘modern’ problems. Diseases of ease and affluence
Keep thinking, I should read the Stoics. But everything I would keep about their philosophies I've already found in a secular Buddhist practice. I read this piece thinking, Yeah, we have something just like that.
In another universe, probably many, that version of me is more Stoic influences. He often thinks, I should read the Buddhists.
Cheers for the read, Adam.
You crack me up every time. Humorously philosophical. Yes, I think many aspects of ancient wisdom have a great deal of crossover. Thank you for reading, Damon.
So good as usual. I almost relapsed, if you want to call it that, I hate that word, last weekend. Is the subject of my next post. Next time my irrationality is getting the better of me I have to reread your entire catalog.
I’ll read your words when you’re ready, as I always do.
Happy to help in messages if ya need.
🫶
i read some marc aurel out of that, great article! indeed stoicism helped me take control over my urges - but it can be applied to so much more. thank you for this read mate
An honour, good Sir.
Here I was, chilling and working in my dimensional rift, and I've heard someone calling my name.
I've checked if it's not in vain, ahh yes the classic.
' Warrior in garden, not gardener at war '
Yes indeed.
I knew you’d hear.
Of course ! --
My horns and wings got itchy.
Pleasure is immediate. Purpose is enduring. Love that quote. What a well-written piece Adam! Stoicism has been a great benefit in my journey as well, especially internalizing what I can and can’t control.
Thanks Mac. This sort of stuff changed my life, and by the sounds of it, so many others too.
🫡
very true - ancient wisdom strikes the core
Happy three years, my friend. This is a fantastic write up that I will be restacking. Great stuff. Keep up the awesome work that is helping so many people. 👏
Thank you, Mike. Deeply appreciated 🙏
Great piece Adam and congrats on your anniversary!
Much appreciated, Parker. Wishing you well.
So great, Adam. This speaks so strongly to me and resonates with my own areas of practice. These principles feel especially needed in modern times.
Thanks Dana.
Yes I think many of the cures to modern ill ways already exist in ancient texts. It’s fascinating to see what they basically warned us against, just here in everyday life.
Thanks for reading and sharing, Dana. Much appreciated. 🙏