Stoicism is one of the schools of Hellenistic philosophy that promotes a system of logic to influence personal ethics. In Stoic mindset meaning, happiness can only be found in the acceptance of the moment as it happens. A Stoic does not allow himself to be controlled by his desire to seek pleasure or by his fear of discomfort and pain. He uses his mind to acquire understanding of his environment and treats other people in a fair and just manner.
Stoicism has gained in popularity in recent years. Learn more about the Stoic mindset meaning and what it can do to help you live your best life.
How Does a Stoic Mindset Work?
In Stoicism, virtue is considered as the only good and other things are considered external and lower in the rung of importance. These include pleasure, health, and wealth. While not considered either bad or good, these external things are still regarded as valuable because they can be used to promote virtue. The emphasis in Stoicism is on the belief that virtue is enough to achieve happiness.
What is a Stoic Mindset?
In Stoicism, there are several central teachings. These include:
-the unpredictability of the world
-the briefness of our lives
-remaining strong, steadfast, and in control of oneself
-the understanding that our dependency on our senses instead of logic is the reason we are dissatisfied
Stoics live by certain guiding principles. These are:
- Things that are outside of your control cannot be changed. Only attitude can be changed.
Stoics find strength in their ability to control their mind. They do not worry about their inability to control outside events. This is mindfulness – being able to avoid frustration over events that you cannot influence. It also helps one avoid wasting energy and negative emotions. - Avoid materialism.
In a society driven by desire for material wealth, we are far more obsessed with accumulating and showing off things than we are with developing our character. In the end, we are never satisfied. A Stoic understands that true wealth is about having few wants. - Appreciate people and things you value.
Stoicism is about counting your blessings and being grateful for what you have. When your appreciation far outweighs your wants, you become more satisfied with life and better able to find joy and happiness. - Remain grounded and cheerful in your interactions.
In Stoicism, happiness is internal. It comes from satisfaction and the ability to appreciate what one has. Because happiness is independent, Stoics can remain cheerful because their wants do not outweigh their needs and current situations. Wealth and other material things can be enjoyed but they are not necessary to truly feel fulfilled.