The weather here in the midwest is beginning to change again. After a cold winter it is nice to take a long walk around the local park and reflect on myself. More than exercise, it is a spiritual practice for me. I picture myself walking with Marcus or Epictetus and communing with them. Much of Stoic practice is aimed at internal aspects, our desires, our assents, our impulses. We often forget that the Stoics were not hermits or cloistered clergy, they believed in the oneness of the universe. They believed in the connection between us and everything else via the active principle of the universe. For me, a walk reminds me of that connection. I feel the sun and hear the birds and remember that we are all connected via a thin line of causality.
This is only one of many spiritual exercises that I use to practice Stoicism in my everyday life. But I am interested to hear how you practice. If you are willing click the link below to be taken to a form where you can share one or many practices. I will include some in the next registry report to share with everyone.
Finally a word about what is happening in the world right now. The Stoics of old were not immune to the impacts of war. Marcus spent years on the front line and ultimately died there. As a Stoic, we must accept that there are things beyond our control. One of those being the thoughts and opinions of others. Especially those which stand on opposing sides of a conflict. What we must remember though is that these men and women are not evil. They are misguided about what good is, and how to be happy. From Marcus to Cato, Stoics saw war as a last resort when reason and better judgment had failed. We are all part of the same cosmos, as such we each have a duty to care for each other, even those who wish us harm.
With gratitude and respect,
Kathryn, Derrick, Todd