Month: May 2020

Required Reading: Letter 13: On Groundless Fears

“The fool with all his other faults, has this also, he is always getting ready to live.”

Aren’t we all? Aren’t there things we wish to do that we are always putting off; with the saying “I don’t have time right now; I’ll do it later.”? When? Is it when you have completed everything else; which somehow this particular moment seems more important? Is anything that important that we delay and not live to the purpose?

We are invaded by the news; fear reigns daily; from morning to night! A long time ago, perhaps over ten years; I’ve stopped watching and reading the news. I get my information; my daily dose, from the second hand informant; the one who makes it his duty to seek out first thing in the morning and last thing at night what another person has fabricated is the “news” for today! What absurdity!

This was a long time in the making; for I used to swallow the pill; eat the bread of the daily news and boy! How it filled me with sadness, anger and resentment! Everything was bleak; like chicken little, the world was falling daily. It cried “wolf!” daily! Wow! This should be a crime! Lock the war mongers’s up! Put the rumor-miller in the asylum! Please! Continue reading “Discourse 13: Regarding On Groundless Fears”

Required Reading: Letter 12: On Old Age 

“Let us cherish and love old age; for it is full of pleasure if one knows how to use it.”

In his twelveth letter to Lucilius, Senca spoke concerning two things: Old Age and Death. I am in my forty’s as I write this; forty-four to be exact; and if one were to form an opinion, one would say “well, you are far from old age, so what sage advice can you render to those of us in our sunset?” In my defense, I’ll take my stance with Pacuvius and can gladly say “I have lived!”; for I have over the years settle my accounts and have made a great step forward satisfying the thought that if the gods should call me yonder, I will gladly make my exit. Yet, like you it is not the primary focus; so I journey on.

Take a deep hard look at your life and see how Time is such an illusion; how seldom does it stop to have us take a break and see exactly what it is up to! Why is it in such a flow like clockwork—second, minute, hours, days, weeks, months, years; a lifetime! I have slowly forgotten my childhood; how fleeting was that time? Did you say adolescence? A hare that was; my twenties? Came and went! Thirties? Self reflection; and now forty’s…? How about you? What happened to Time? Continue reading “Discourse 12: Regarding On Old Age”

Required Reading: Letter 11: On The Blush Of Modesty 

“Happy is the man who can make others better not merely when he is in their company, but even when he is in their thoughts.”

There is a keen difference between blushing and being bashful; one is natural, the other controlled. How many times have you done something for which you didn’t wish to be recognized and so you coyed? This is okay; yet, how many times have you done things in which you are ashamed; embarrassed for being caught? I’ll answer that one; lots! Yet, a wise man knows that the ability to blush is something out of his control; he may try to curtail this positive feeling or expression to no avail.

I speak for self; for I have a natural tendency to slightly stick out my tongue by the corner of my mouth when I blush; something that has gotten me awkward looks more times than once; hey, it’s natural what can I say? It catches all of us by surprise; forgive me. Continue reading “Discourse 11: Regarding On The Blush Of Modesty”

Required Reading: Letter 10: On Living To Oneself 

“Avoid the many, avoid the few, avoid even the individual.”

Do not take this as a chance to shy away from people only to think and act out evil; this is not the way to live to oneself but rather even in your solitude, think of Good. For as Seneca shares “The only benefit that solitude confers—the habit of trusting no man, and fearing no witnesses,—is lost to the fool; for he betrays himself.”

An unwise man cannot be trusted to be alone! For his thoughts are not yet pure; it takes an immense use of power and restraint on a daily basis to still one’s thoughts and weed out all negativity; yet this journey calls for deliberate investigation of one’s inner dialogue; inner drama to know when you as Director are to cast out the Actors; embrace the Protagonist and battle the Nemesis. Continue reading “Discourse 10: Regarding On Living To Oneself”

Required Reading: Letter 9: On Philosophy And Friendship

“…the wise man is self-sufficient. Nevertheless, he desires friends, neighbors; associates…“

On a journey as such, one inherently knows that friends are important; yet, one can do without them. Not that one must be a recluse; but, that if a friend is lost by virtue of disaster, or ill-will, a wise man feels no lost that would get him or her off-kiltered. They will, with poise and inward courage, shoulder the impact; yet, live as if it is the will of Nature; and the gifts of Fortune has no value in the case of a wise man; as Seneca puts it “He endures the loss of a friend with equanamity.”

In his letter, there is a discussion of two schools of thought; first, that a wise man is self sufficient; meaning, he Needs no friends or second, that a wise man needs friends but not Want or have a desire for not being able to live without them. The difference is slight; for one puts the so-called wise man in an independent state; while the latter, an inter-dependent state of affairs. The former makes him one unto himself, while the latter, a co-exister; in need of companionship yet not unhappy because he or she does not have it. For a philosopher can easily make new friends while maintaining or letting go of others that have run their course. Continue reading “Discourse 9: Regarding On Philosophy And Friendship”

Required Reading: Letter 8: On The Philosopher’s Seclusion 

“I am working for later generations, writing down some ideas that may be of assistance to them.”

Seneca starts off this letter by referencing Letter 7 wherein he supposes Lucilius would ask “Do you bid me shun the throng (crowd) and withdraw from men and be content with my own conscience?” Can anyone trust his own conscience? Be alone in his own company? Isn’t it better to always be busy with other folks? Always active; being a part of the crowd and not be a loner?

Well, listen to Seneca “Believe me, those who seem to be busied with nothing are busied with the greatest tasks; they are dealing at the same time with things mortal and things immortal! And I can not agree more! For as a writer; especially a philosophical writer, in these contemporary times of social media and the likes, I find it a matter of harassment and constant interruption to focus on things “mortal and immortal”; one must on this journey “Be Still and Know…”. Continue reading “Discourse 8: Regarding On The Philosopher’s Seclusion”

Required Reading: Letter 7: On Crowds 

“I write this not for the many, but for you; each of us is enough of an audience for the other.” -Epicurus.

This letter is a tricky one; for within Seneca states the importance of staying away from crowds; keeping your own company. Now, this business of staying away from crowds could resonate as staying away from people in general; and herein lies the thin line; for one must find that happy medium in knowing when to be around people (lots of people) and when to be around just one or a few or plain just be alone and yet, still be at peace!

As a philosopher (simply, “a lover of wisdom”), I find myself many days alone; by myself; not that I do not have or want to be around “friends” but I am just happier nowadays being alone; I am more in control of myself. I find myself less a victim to what Seneca states “Much harm’s done by a single case of indulgence or greed; the familiar friend, if he be luxurious, weakens and softens us imperceptibly…” Continue reading “Discourse 7: Regarding On Crowds”

Required Reading: Letter 6: On Sharing Knowledge 

“Nothing will ever please me, no matter how excellent or beneficial, if I must retain the knowledge of it to myself.”

The beauty of Seneca’s sixth letter is without question immensely important; for in it, he espouses the view of how to learn; how to acquire knowledge—the important steps needed to first hear, then have it be impactful. He wastes no time in telling Lucilius the quickest way to achieve knowledge; that is, in getting the information any one needs.

Seneca propels the view that one must not only read the works of great men; but, one must go to hear them LIVE; be in their presence; spend some time with them; see how they live etc. This is extremely important for it relates to that Master—Aprentice methodology; that Mentor—Mentee structure which is highly valuable; it is the means by which most, if not all, of those who have affected thousands or millions of lives around the world; operate and must continue to, if they aspire to anything above mediocrity. Continue reading “Discourse 6: Regarding On Sharing Knowledge”

Required Reading: Letter 5: On The Philosopher’s Mean

“Inwardly, we ought to be different in all respects, but our exterior should conform to society.”

In Seneca’s fifth letter to Lucilius, he confirms the way in which a philosopher should live. He or she should not bring attention to themself but they should be so blended with society yet so different that people would admire them.

Upon meeting, folks should instinctively know there is something different about you; but can’t lay their finger on it. This should be the way you carry yourself; the way you speak; the way you dress; your pace; and posture etc.

Also, as a philosopher, there is no need to show off what you have acquired or accomplished; this in no way mean you should not have expensive things. But, there is no need to mention them in conversation. You should be so comfortable with luxury things that it makes no difference if you have them or not. Continue reading “Discourse 5: Regarding On The Philosopher’s Mean”

Required Reading: Letter 4: On The Terrors Of Death

“No man can have a peaceful life who thinks too much about lengthening it…”

This will be a deeply personal essay; one in which the thought of it brings back intense memory of an acute and heightened feeling; one not of fear but anxiety.

It happened December 21st 2018; about two years ago on my way from work; about 6:00 PM on the interstate going about 65 mph. Suddenly, a massive jolt from the back; car flipped sideways; riding the concrete median barrier for what seems an eternity; with my mind enveloped by the thought ‘is this how it all ends’— I’m seeing my life flash in miliseconds before me looking forward to sudden and tragic death!

Then, the car stops; it’s all over. I hear voices of people around me; walking slowly to the car to see if anyone within is still alive. I am still hanging sideways; held up by my seatbelt; shouting out that ‘I am fine!’ My helpers get me out through the driver’s window; tried to stand up; dizzy; sit down on the highway; traffic has stopped at least two miles back as ambulance and highway patrol swing hurriedly by to investigate; perhaps take out a corpse; but not today! Ladies and gentlemen, Nature’s Fortune spared me!! Continue reading “Discourse 4: Regarding On The Terrors Of Death”