The Ancient Philosophy for You to Live a Happy Life: Stoicism

Can you be happy even in adverse conditions?

Photo by Harsha Vardhan from Pexels

Stoicism is a school of philosophy that teaches discipline and self-control. It aims to achieve the strength of character, personal integrity, and happiness. Since antiquity, it has been practiced by thinkers such as Cato, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, Seneca, Emperor Julian, and even Jesus Christ.

What is Stoicism?

Stoicism is a way of life. It is a philosophy, but it is also a practice. Stoicism is not about being tough or disdainful of pleasurable things in life. Stoics are people who appreciate the good things in life while still enduring hardship and pain.

The Stoics believe that all humans can experience virtue and happiness, even when living in adverse conditions.

There are three core principles of Stoicism:

• Treating undesirable events as natural and inevitable.

• Refraining from adverse reactions such as anger and grief. Encouraging the individual to adopt the rational perspective that accepts fate.