Stoicism, PMA, and the Eternity We Live In

“You are everyone and no one.”

I haven’t posted a blog since June 2023, though I have written an ebook “Stoic Wisdom to Conquer the Day”

Today an idea  suddenly came to mind: “You are everyone and no one”. And before it disappeared, I entertained such an idea in my mind and;

It is a necessity to understand that we are connected to the universe. This universe doesn’t have a beginning or an end for our human minds, thus it is not fixed in time. As a consequence of this timelessness, we have the opportunity to exist beyond time and draw inspiration from the endless possibilities eternity offers us. This includes wisdom and knowledge from ancient texts and past civilizations. We can strive for something greater than ourselves. We can find purpose in the knowledge that we are a part of something infinite and eternal that is greater than ourselves.

Having a purpose and achieving that purpose is an inspiring way we can inspire others. This is both for a person with a purpose and without a purpose a valuable lesson if we become life students.

Someone with a purpose could be a painter, a career-oriented person, a doctor, a business entrepreneur, etc. Someone without a purpose falls under all other categories. No matter what category one falls under, one remains part of the timeless universe.

Introduction

No matter what academics and science say, the human mind remains the same – pure energy, -something science academics people don’t want to understand. Further, the only visible change to the human eye is the bodily structure, but not the mind. For instance, the physical body may age and die, but the mind remains eternal, regardless of any physical or chemical changes.

The ancient world was 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. There is a paradoxical connection between the past and the present. We require a deeper exploration of Stoicism’s wisdom, the power of Positive Mental Attitudes (PMA), and the insights of modern psychology to uncover this connection. For example, this connection is rooted in our shared human mental and feeling experiences. Despite the vast differences in technologies, societies, and cultures between ancient and modern times, we all still experience the same universal emotions. We also have the same fundamental needs to be fulfilled. It 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.

We won’t refer to the Sumerians‘ time, though that topic can be left for another time!

We will instead look to 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.

Ancient wisdom from Socrates can also be found in ancient wisdom, such as Stoicism and PMA. This wisdom is still relevant today because it provides insight into modern problems. 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. Similarly, modern psychology can provide insight into how to approach past challenges. 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. By understanding both, we can better understand the paradoxical connection between the past and the present. 

For 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. In 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.

Stoicism: The Bridge to Timelessness

Stoicism, a school of ancient Greek philosophy, emphasizes acceptance of things we cannot change and focus on our own behavior and responses. The Stoics believed in the cosmic connection of all humans, transcending time and space. To 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. For instance, the Stoic philosopher, Epictetus, said, “You are a citizen of the universe, not of this city.”

Just as you engage in 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 all part of it. 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.

Positive Mental Attitude (PMA): A Key to Purpose

The modern concept of Positive Mental Attitude (PMA), often abbreviated as PMA, aligns beautifully with Stoicism. Our sense of purpose and importance can be enhanced if we stay focused on what we are able to control and maintain a positive attitude. The 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. 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.

You are everyone and no one at the same time. Though we may feel insignificant in the vast universe, our attitudes and actions can have ripple effects that reach far beyond what we can comprehend. Through a PMA, we empower ourselves to make a positive difference, perpetuating a legacy that will flourish fifty or more generations from now. 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.

Psychology: Understanding the Eternal Connection

Psychology 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. As 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. 

We 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. There 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. As per Stoicism and PMA, anger should always be treated and managed as a sign of weakness that should not be allowed to fester.

According to Carl Jung, this idea is supported by his concept of the collective unconscious. The ancient myths and archetypes he researched are not only historical curiosities but are an integral part of the psychological makeup of all humans. Jung 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. 

This 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. 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.

Conclusion: Embrace the Eternal

Throughout 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. Taking this realization into consideration should humble us as well as inspire us. Our 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 bring meaning and purpose to our lives that align with our values and beliefs so that we can live a life of purpose and meaning. The 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 our own.

What you’re doing is significant. You are incredibly valuable. As 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. This connection is the source of our power to create, be resilient, and find meaning in our lives. It gives us the courage to accept our mortality and live life to its fullest. We can use this clarity of purpose to make our lives and those around us more meaningful. 

Seneca said, “We are born into a kingdom; for all of us the universe is our fatherland.” 

Being 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.

It 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. Your inner wisdom is the wisdom of the ages, guiding you with every step that you take. Take 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.

It 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. With that in mind, I invite you to explore this topic further and to evaluate its merits for yourself.

My final words of advice are to make what you are doing meaningful. There is no doubt in my mind that you are extremely valuable! 

“The purpose of life is not to be happy—but to matter, to be productive, to be useful, to have it make some difference that you lived at all.” Leo Rosten, American humorist

Cheers,
Jay Pacheco