The Beauty Of Stoicism

So I felt like Writing about this Intriguing Philosophy.

I've always had this fascination for Stoicism, although I could never fully understand the concept until recently. My knowledge of this 'philosophy' was sadly limited to Marcus Brutus' restraint from mourning the death of his beloved wife, Portia. But, that as we all know is never enough to describe an age-old subject such as this.

The Great Brutus?

Urban Dictionary likes to refer to a Stoic as :

Someone who does not give a shit about the stupid things in this world that most people care so much about.

Fair enough for a common man I guess. Undeniably simple.

Men and women are exposed to this never-ending wave of emotions. They come in a mixture full of virtues and vices. While I sit on the edge of this chasm of feelings, I wonder exactly why is it that we allow ourselves to suffer when we can avoid it? Maybe, I am far too young to classify what is right and what is wrong, or maybe I am just too inexperienced to comprehend the result of any emotion. But I was out looking for an answer.

And that's where this ancient philosophy strutted in.

Stoicism, I have learnt, is a Hellenistic tool to fight with the uprising of  'destructive' emotions. Emotions that can destroy the structure of human mindset. Those that can create a havoc. One can respond by shouting out loud, crying and making a royal fuss out of things, mocking and chastising. But to be indifferent, that's where lies true self-control and grit. The famous 'stoic calm' and all?


The world can embrace you or throw arrows at you. Give you pleasure or pain. But that's what a Stoic does, he accepts it. He accepts everything on this planet just like you accept the breakfast your mom offers you early in the morning. Basically, he focuses on the big ideas and not the petty insignificant nothings. And most importantly, he lets Fate do her job.

I had this interesting notion of happiness and sorrow. It continues to delude my subconscious till date. Joy is like this treasure, something that we are always relentlessly pursuing. It's a state of equilibrium that can always be attained by your own choice. Sorrow however, is pretty dimensional. Like a black hole. When you're sad, you're just nearing the event horizon. Once you slip, you cascade into a monstrous depression.

A stoic takes none of this nonsense. He's decided. He knows how to react. If he has to react at all that is. He's the kind that quietly says:
Let's be reasonable guys. 
Let's go on. 
Let's not be irrationally passionate. Let's be composed. 

I believe one must experience, if not believe in all kinds of philosophy. It would be a shame to die without tasting a bit of everything that those Great Minds had in store for us. I've spent the last few weeks re-reading mythology, and it doesn't surprise me...exactly why the Greeks and Romans propelled Stoicism. For that matter, even Hinduism parallels Stoic thought.

I'm surprised at myself because following Stoicism goes quite against my nature. Yet, I've believe that certain natural tendencies to resort to Stoicism are inherent in humans and cannot be questioned. It is unbecoming of a bubbling, sentimental and dramatic person, yet it soothes the minds of many who search for a meditative calm.

In short, Stoics are cool. Let's just leave it there.