Random thoughts: Stoicism

 A post to record my thoughts after reading about Stoicism

Impression and Assents

I understand this as first and natural reaction to an external stimulus, and then the judgement we formed on the matter. It is said between Impression and assents, the gap is the space we can practice calmess, observation, so that we are not excessively sway by our reactions and form judgements that are detrimental to a virtue life, life of Courage, Wisdom, Temparement etc. 

As i practice mindfulness, I caught myself feeling negative energy and forming judgements, and I do think I manage better, but it seems I caught myself after judgement is already formed, and reflective about it.

I assume it is something like the "zone" i read about in sporting mindfulness. Never experinced it. 

Time

Productive time is not the same as being busy. Tend to be overly impatient to get as many things done as quickly as possible, While inevitable in come cases in modern life, some of it are self-inflicted anxiety.

The most precious time is now, with no clinging to the post or too much hope or fear of the future. Take every time as borrowed time, assuming we are already dead, and what you would like to do with borrowed time. 

Although it has reduced my frustration or anxiety when I frame my thoughts through such lens, as little as thou i reminded myself to do it, I doubt if it actually alters any decisions or actions. 

Suffering and preparing for the worst

Always assume and prepare for that 1 or 2 persons that will spoil your day, 1 or 2 things that might not go according to your wishes or plans, so that you are not so easily knocked off your feet. 

Love your fate, regardless. 

Dichotomy of control 

Remind me of the one of the habit from the "7 habits of highly effective people", do what you can control, accept what you cannot control and make full use of your influence but do not bet on your influence. 

How we think or act is within our control, but that "control" depends on our "practice", just like any "ball control" in sports. For example, impression and assents, how long and how clear is the gap between stimulus and judgement, determines how much "control" you have over your emotions or "temperaments". How often you practice mindfulness with time, reflect your time and perhaps even instill discipline in diet and physical exercise, affect your control

Personal thoughts

I find stoicism and buddhism have many things in common, although the differences are significant too.