Philosphy on self control | 11 January 2021

Before I explain myself, want to point out what I’m describing isn’t exactly stoicism. I haven’t studied it much, but what second hand exposure I’ve had to it, I’ve always agreed with it. I think my personal approach is something between stoicism and Buddhism, but I’m not quite certain, haha.

To give a succinct explanation: it is an absolute control of one’s self and one’s actions. It is an awareness and acknowledgement of feelings and desires, but only responding to them once you’ve decided what is the right thing to do. It’s not only being aware of the present, but being at peace with it.

Now to expand a bit on what I mean. I don’t like to rely on instinctual responses if I don’t have to. Instead, I prefer to comprehend whatever stimuli I’m experiencing, and then rationally respond the way I see is correct.

I’ll give a few examples, starting with common day experiences, and ending with a few extreme ones.

A common practice in Greek stoicism was to sleep on the floor. It was very uncomfortable and cold, but they were training their minds to experience discomfort so that they could overcome it. It would be easy to please the body by sleeping in a bed with blankets, but the mind is aware that you are not in any danger for sleeping on the floor. Even though you are experiencing discomfort, you’re still able to be rational and to sleep.

Now going to an extreme example

This is an incredibly famous picture of a monk. I forget what specifically it was for, but it was in protest to some sort of injustice his country and people were facing. So he decided he needed to make a statement that the whole world world see.

Though he is experiencing one of the greatest pains possible. He is calm. He is at peace. His mind knew what was going to happen. It feels the intense pain. But he is a accepting that pain, and then acting in a way that he desires. His goal is to send a message, and though his body is screaming at him to stop the pain, he sits resolute in his decision.