by dome82 on 3/27/15, 6:29 PM with 9 comments
Are you also interested in other school of philosophy? Which ones?(e.g. epicureanism, etc..)
by scmoore on 3/28/15, 5:27 PM
For example, in the context of HN: although I often find the content here inspiring, it can also be intimidating and discouraging. When I read about software engineers making $200k+, five times what I make, it makes me feel as though I've failed, or that I'm not cut out for the profession. Similarly, when I see the amazing projects, startups, and other technical achievements here, I often feel discouraged because I don't feel like I'll ever achieve that.
Stoicism focuses on what you have, not what you want. Negative visualization teaches us to appreciate the present: What if I lost the job I have? What if I lost my wife, my family? What if I'm badly injured and can't work at all? In that context, I can appreciate my job, even if it's not as good a job as I want. After all, I get paid enough to cover my bills, to sit in a squishy chair and think and solve puzzles. This helps relieve the anxiety I generate by foolishly measuring my self-worth by the yardstick of others' achievements. Ironically, this doesn't rob me of my ambition to improve my lot. Instead, I find that when I am calm and content, I have the energy and focus to do the studying and practice that I believe are necessary to do so. And most importantly: in the meantime, I've given myself permission to be happy today, not on the day in the future when I reach the ever-moving goalposts. Just as you would "bus-proof" a software development effort, you'll benefit from bus-proofing your happiness by appreciating what you have today.
by saminiir on 3/28/15, 11:25 AM
The thing most resonates with me in stoicism is the fatalistic outlook. Everything that happens, has already happened and will continue to happen. Eases my anxiety.
The negative visualization described in the book is also a powerful technique. It puts one's petty problems into perspective and actually makes you grateful for things you have.
Overall, I think the central idea of it is the ability to feel joy - something that can be derived from the state of tranquility rather than pleasure of the senses. And of course, to treat other people to the best of your abilities and at the same time acknowledging how flawed beings we are.
by gesman on 3/28/15, 5:05 PM
The way it works is that when you notice feelings of guilt (or any other negative emotion for that matter) you immediately redefine the situation to clearly explain to yourself why you did something (that you feel guilty about) and why it was the right thing for you to do.
The end result of it is higher self-esteem, ability to see things as they are and apparently more compassion toward others.
If you don't have a reasons to feel guilty you don't need to make others feel guilty to cover your own crap.
Another side of my practice is instead of "getting rid of negativity" you make it irrelevant by acting as if you already as positive and as happy as you want to be.
by 7402 on 3/29/15, 2:45 PM
That article led me to Epictetus' The Enchiridion, which was an easy way to start learning more. There's a free version at Gutenberg.org: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/45109/45109-h/45109-h.htm
by throwaway344 on 3/28/15, 10:29 PM
That could of course just be Russell's positivist bias speaking through, of course. I really ought to read some of the actual sources sometime.
by redlabs4000 on 3/30/15, 4:13 PM