Book Freak 157: How To Be Free
An Ancient Guide to the Stoic Life
Hi, Book Freaks! I apologize for missing the last couple of weeks. It’s been a little hectic. We moved for the second time in a year, a family member was hospitalized (now thankfully stable), a friend’s father passed away, and we had a some traveling to do. So my book pick this week is especially apt: it’s called How to Be Free: An Ancient Guide to the Stoic Life, by Epictetus (translated by Anthony Long). It presents the timeless wisdom of the ancient Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus on how to live a tranquil life.
Born a slave around AD 55, Epictetus experienced the indignities of bondage firsthand before gaining his freedom. His teachings, written by his student Arrian around 108 AD, focus on achieving inner freedom by mastering our desires and judgments rather than being enslaved by passions, fears, and circumstances outside our control.
Epictetus' insights remain remarkably relevant today, guiding us to lead lives of self-mastery, equanimity, and virtue in accordance with our nature as rational beings.
By the way, a big thank-you to everyone who is supporting this newsletter through a paid subscription. Your generosity keeps our small operation running. (If you haven’t subscribed, you can do so here.)
Four Pieces of Advice from the Book:
Distinguish Appearances from Reality
"Right now, then, make it your habit to tell every jarring thought or impression: 'You are just an appearance and in no way the real thing.' Next, examine it and test it by these rules that you have. First and foremost: does it involve the things up to us, or the things not up to us? And if it involves one of the things not up to us, have the following response to hand: 'Not my business.'"
Don't Be Provoked by Others' Behavior
‘"Keep in mind that what injures you is not people who are rude or aggressive but your opinion that they are injuring you. So whenever someone provokes you, be aware that the provocation really comes from your own judgment. Start, then, by trying not to get carried away by the impression. Once you pause and give yourself time, you will more easily control yourself."
Don’t Mind Looking Foolish to Make Progress
"If you want to make progress, don’t mind appearing foolish and silly where outward things are concerned, and don’t wish to appear an expert. Even if some people think you are somebody, distrust yourself."
Compete Only Where Victory Depends on You
"You can always win if you only enter competitions where winning is up to you."
Welcome, Book Freaks! This week, I want to thank everyone who is supporting this newsletter through a paid subscription. Your generosity keeps our small operation running. (If you haven’t subscribed, you can do so here.)
This week’s book recommendation is Firefighter Zen, which shares life lessons from over 30 years of author Hersch Wilson's experiences as a volunteer firefighter. Wilson draws wisdom from the intense and challenging situations he has faced to provide insights on how to stay calm, find courage, and maintain humanity during difficult times.
It’s a guide for not only firefighters and first responders, but for anyone looking to cultivate resilience, perspective, and purpose in the face of chaos and tragedy.
Here are four pieces of advice from the book:
Maintain perspective on what is within your control
Wilson defines emergencies, problems, and inconveniences as three distinct and very different things. An emergency involves a threat to someone's health or safety. A problem is something that has a solution. An inconvenience is just that — something that's annoying but not life-threatening.
Stay calm and clear-headed no matter what
To stay calm in extreme situations, says Wilson, you must recognize and then drop the victim story that you are inevitably telling yourself. (“Why is this happening to me?”) Then stop, breathe, and ask yourself: “What is the next right thing to do?”
Face the dragon of crisis head-on
When the dragons come, you must get under the smoke, into the heat of the crisis itself, and defeat the dragon on its own turf. Avoiding or running from the dragon will only increase its power over you.
Be of service to others as the path to healing
After suffering a tragedy, we must each walk the grief road in our own way. But we will heal faster if we can turn our attention outward, engage in acts of service and kindness for others.
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Love these reminders this week, Mark. Thanks!