“Stoic Wisdom to Conquer the Day”<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\nToday an idea\u00a0\ud83d\udca1\u00a0suddenly came to\u00a0mind:\u00a0“You\u00a0are everyone and no one”.\u00a0And before it disappeared, I entertained\u00a0such an idea\u00a0in my mind and;<\/span><\/p>\nIt is\u00a0a necessity\u00a0to understand that we are connected to the\u00a0universe. This\u00a0universe doesn’t have a beginning or an end for\u00a0<\/span>our\u00a0human\u00a0minds<\/span>, thus it is not fixed in time. As a consequence of this timelessness, we have the opportunity to exist\u00a0beyond time\u00a0and draw\u00a0inspiration from the endless\u00a0possibilities eternity\u00a0offers us.\u00a0This includes wisdom\u00a0and knowledge from ancient texts and past civilizations.\u00a0We can\u00a0strive for something greater than\u00a0ourselves. We can\u00a0find purpose in the knowledge that we are a part of something infinite and eternal that is greater than ourselves.<\/span><\/p>\nHaving a purpose and\u00a0achieving\u00a0that purpose is\u00a0an inspiring\u00a0way\u00a0we can\u00a0inspire\u00a0others. This is\u00a0both\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0person with a purpose\u00a0and without\u00a0a purpose a valuable lesson if we become life students.<\/span><\/p>\nSomeone with a purpose could be a painter, a\u00a0career-oriented\u00a0person, a doctor, a business entrepreneur,\u00a0etc. Someone without a purpose falls under all other categories.\u00a0No matter what category one falls under, one remains part of the timeless universe.<\/span><\/p>\nIntroduction<\/span><\/p>\nNo matter what\u00a0academics\u00a0and science\u00a0say,\u00a0the human mind\u00a0remains\u00a0the same\u00a0– pure\u00a0energy, -something\u00a0science academics people don’t want to understand. Further,\u00a0the\u00a0only visible change to the human eye is the\u00a0bodily\u00a0structure, but not the mind.\u00a0For instance, the physical body may age and die, but the mind remains eternal, regardless of any physical or chemical changes.<\/span><\/p>\nThe ancient world\u00a0was a world completely different from our own at the time, while at the same time, it was a world that was exactly the same as our own.\u00a0There is a paradoxical connection between the past and the\u00a0present. We\u00a0require a deeper exploration of\u00a0Stoicism’s wisdom,\u00a0the power of Positive Mental Attitudes (PMA), and the insights of modern\u00a0psychology to\u00a0uncover this connection. For example, this connection is rooted in our shared human mental and feeling experiences. Despite the vast differences\u00a0in technologies,\u00a0societies, and cultures between ancient and modern times, we all still experience the same universal\u00a0emotions. We also\u00a0have the same fundamental needs to be fulfilled.\u00a0It is through the exploration of how the ancients dealt with these issues, that we can gain valuable insights as to how we can deal with them in the modern day.<\/span><\/p>\nWe won’t\u00a0refer\u00a0to the\u00a0Sumerians<\/span>‘<\/span>\u00a0time,\u00a0though that\u00a0topic can be left\u00a0for another time!<\/span><\/p>\nWe will instead look\u00a0to the Greek and Roman civilizations to see how they handled their problems. By examining their solutions, we can better understand our own and learn how to address them effectively.<\/span><\/p>\nAncient\u00a0wisdom from Socrates can also be found in ancient wisdom, such as Stoicism and\u00a0PMA. This wisdom\u00a0is still relevant today because it\u00a0provides\u00a0insight\u00a0into modern\u00a0problems.\u00a0<\/span>For instance, Stoic philosophy teaches us to be mindful of our thoughts and control our emotional reactions to stressful situations, while PMA encourages us to focus on the positives and be proactive in creating solutions to our problems.\u00a0<\/span>Similarly, modern psychology can provide insight into how to approach\u00a0past challenges.\u00a0<\/span>For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) teaches us to actively challenge and change negative thought patterns, which can help us break through our obstacles and create more positive outcomes in our lives<\/span>.\u00a0By understanding both, we can better understand the paradoxical connection between the past and the present.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nFor instance, identifying and modifying negative thought patterns rooted in past experiences, such as self-doubt and fear of failure, could be the key to learning how to replace negative and destructive thought patterns with more positive and productive ones.\u00a0In this way, we can create healthier thought processes that will have an improved impact on the way we think, act, and react in the future.<\/span><\/p>\nStoicism: The Bridge to Timelessness<\/span><\/p>\nStoicism, a school of ancient Greek philosophy,\u00a0emphasizes acceptance\u00a0of things we cannot change\u00a0and focus\u00a0on our own behavior and responses. The Stoics believed in the cosmic connection of all humans,\u00a0transcending time\u00a0and space.\u00a0To them, living a meaningful life meant living in accordance with nature, which meant accepting the natural flow of life and not getting attached to things that were beyond their control. They believed that by living in accordance with nature, one could achieve inner peace and harmony.\u00a0<\/span>For instance, the Stoic philosopher, Epictetus, said, \u201cYou are a citizen of the universe, not of this city.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nJust as you\u00a0engage\u00a0in activities today, someone from the past experienced the same, albeit in different contexts. Marcus Aurelius, a stoic philosopher and Roman Emperor, once noted that people have been doing the same things for centuries. It’s a timeless cycle, and we are\u00a0all part\u00a0of it.\u00a0<\/span>This is because our human experience is essentially the same. We all experience love, joy, pain, and sorrow. We have the same need for connection and belonging. We all want to make a difference and contribute something meaningful to the world. Although the contexts may be different, the basic emotional and psychological needs remain the same.<\/span><\/p>\nPositive Mental Attitude (PMA): A Key to Purpose<\/span><\/p>\nThe modern concept of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA), often abbreviated as PMA, aligns beautifully with Stoicism.\u00a0Our sense of purpose and importance can be enhanced if we stay focused on what we are able to control and maintain a positive attitude.\u00a0The Stoic philosophy encourages us to accept the things we cannot control and focus on what we can. PMA is all about focusing on the positive aspects of life, and understanding that our attitude towards life has a direct impact on our happiness. With PMA, we can find meaning in what we do and strive for excellence in our lives.\u00a0<\/span>For example, by acknowledging the things that you are grateful for each day, you can find more joy and purpose in your life, and shift your focus to the positive aspects of your situation.<\/span><\/p>\nYou are everyone and no one at the same time.\u00a0Though we may feel insignificant in the vast universe, our attitudes and actions can have ripple effects that reach far beyond what we can comprehend.\u00a0Through a PMA, we empower ourselves to make a positive difference, perpetuating a legacy that will flourish fifty or more generations from now.\u00a0<\/span>For example, planting a tree today, even if you won’t be around to see it reach its full potential, can make a difference in the lives of those who will come after you.<\/span><\/p>\nPsychology: Understanding the Eternal Connection<\/span><\/p>\nPsychology today teaches us that human emotions and thoughts are universal and can be applied to all individuals. Whether it be love, fear, joy, or ambition, these feelings are universal, and they are the threads that bind us to the people who preceded us and to those who will follow them.\u00a0As we understand these feelings, we become better able to empathize with those who have different experiences than our own. This allows us to build bridges and create a more tolerant and compassionate world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWe also know that emotions and thoughts are experienced differently by each individual, depending on the culture and values of the society they live in. By understanding the diversity in how emotions and thoughts are expressed, we can develop a deeper understanding of our shared humanity and create a more inclusive society.\u00a0There are some cultures in which it is more acceptable to express anger than is the case in others, and in some cultures, certain emotions like anger are seen as a sign of strength or courage, while in other cultures they may be seen as a sign of weakness.\u00a0<\/span>As per Stoicism and PMA, anger should always be treated and managed as a sign of weakness that should not be allowed to fester.<\/span><\/p>\nAccording to Carl Jung, this idea is supported by his concept of the collective unconscious.\u00a0The ancient myths and archetypes he researched are not only historical curiosities but are an integral part of the psychological makeup of all humans.\u00a0Jung argued that these archetypes were an inherent part of the human psyche and that they could be found in different cultures and civilizations throughout history. He believed that they were a sign of a deep, shared unconsciousness that connects all humans, regardless of their cultural background.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThis shared unconsciousness, as Jung suggested, is a deep connection between all people, and can be used to understand and appreciate the differences in cultures and people.\u00a0<\/span>As an example, the archetype of the ‘hero’ can be found in mythologies across a wide range of cultures, from instances in ancient Greece to Indigenous Australian Dreamtime stories, in which the archetype is present throughout.<\/span><\/p>\nConclusion: Embrace the\u00a0Eternal<\/span><\/p>\nThroughout Stoicism’s teachings, the empowerment aspect of PMA, and the deep insights of psychology, we find that all of these elements are intertwined to emphasize the fact that we are connected to eternity every single day.\u00a0Taking this realization into consideration should humble us as well as inspire us.\u00a0Our learning from these teachings means that we learn each and every day that we have the opportunity to show up and live our best lives, and\u00a0bring meaning and purpose to our lives that align with our values and beliefs so that we can live a life of purpose and meaning.\u00a0The more conscious and mindful we are of the consequences of our actions, the more likely we are to make conscious, mindful choices that will impact the lives of those around us and\u00a0our own.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat you’re doing is\u00a0significant.\u00a0You are\u00a0incredibly valuable.\u00a0As a result of understanding our connection to the eternal, we gain perspective, motivation, and a profound sense of belonging to something greater than ourselves that gives us perspective, motivation, and ideas.\u00a0This connection is the source of our power to\u00a0create, be resilient, and find\u00a0meaning in our lives. It gives us the courage to accept our mortality\u00a0and live\u00a0life to its fullest. We can use this clarity of purpose to make our lives\u00a0and those\u00a0around us more meaningful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nSeneca said,\u00a0“We are born into a kingdom;\u00a0for all of us the\u00a0universe is our fatherland.”\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nBeing connected to the universe gives us the power to realize that our actions have consequences not just in our own lives but also in the lives of others. It allows us to appreciate all the blessings in our lives and to be grateful for them. It helps us to recognize our own mortality and to live life with intention and purpose. It reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves and to strive to make the world a better place.<\/span><\/p>\nIt is time for you to embrace the eternal, for you are part of a timeless dance that was born in the dawn of humanity and will continue into the uncharted future.\u00a0<\/span>Your inner wisdom is the wisdom of the ages, guiding you with every step that you take.<\/span>\u00a0Take solace in the knowledge that you are part of something much bigger than yourself, something that is both ancient and eternal. Embrace the power of the timelessness that lies within.<\/span><\/p>\nIt is my hope that you will find the content of this blog post aligned with your own thoughts, as well as the connection between Stoicism, Positive Mental Attitude, and Psychology that I have described in this post.\u00a0With that in mind, I invite you to explore this topic further and to evaluate its merits for yourself.<\/span><\/p>\nMy final words of advice are to make what you are doing meaningful.\u00a0There is no doubt in my mind that you are extremely valuable!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThe purpose of life is not to be happy\u2014but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you lived at all.\u201d Leo Rosten, American humorist<\/span><\/p>\nCheers,
\n<\/span>Jay Pacheco<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Stoicism, PMA, and the Eternity We Live In “You are everyone and no one.\u201d I\u00a0haven’t posted a\u00a0blog since June 2023, though I have written an ebook\u00a0“Stoic Wisdom to Conquer the Day” Today an idea\u00a0\ud83d\udca1\u00a0suddenly came to\u00a0mind:\u00a0“You\u00a0are everyone and no one”.\u00a0And before it disappeared, I entertained\u00a0such an idea\u00a0in my mind and; It is\u00a0a necessity\u00a0to understand that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6719,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2280","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-pma-science"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/pmascience.com\/jaypacheco\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Timesless2-scaled-1.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pmascience.com\/jaypacheco\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2280","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pmascience.com\/jaypacheco\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pmascience.com\/jaypacheco\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pmascience.com\/jaypacheco\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pmascience.com\/jaypacheco\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2280"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/pmascience.com\/jaypacheco\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2280\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pmascience.com\/jaypacheco\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pmascience.com\/jaypacheco\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2280"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pmascience.com\/jaypacheco\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2280"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pmascience.com\/jaypacheco\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2280"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}