• Home
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Store
    • E-books
  • Up Close
    • About me
    • Testimonials
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Merce Cardus

Sign up to get the last articles delivered to your email box.

Stoicism and The Discipline Of Desire

in Philosophy on 04/09/15

Share6
Tweet
Pin
Share
6 Shares

Epictetus on The Discipline of Desire

This new guide to finding a happier way of life draws on the ancient wisdom of the stoics to reveal lasting truths and proven strategies for enhanced well-being. Stoicism and the Art of Happiness gives us ancient tips for modern challenges.

What is the Discipline of Desire?

Why should we ‘accept’ whatever befalls us in life and what did the Stoics mean by this? What’s the difference between this and just ‘giving up’ and resigning ourselves passively to bad things?

According to Epictetus, the goal of this discipline is not to be frustrated in our desires nor to fall into what we would avoid our aversions, and this is achieved by learning to embrace our fate with equanimity.

This philosophical attitude towards events is encapsulated in one of the Stoic Handbook’s most striking and important maxims:

Seek not for events to happen as you wish but rather wish for events to happen as they do and your life will go smoothly. (Enchiridion, 8)

The discipline of desire is therefore particularly associated with the achievement of serenity, which means overcoming emotional suffering.

How does this apply to our lives?

According to Hadot, the discipline of “desire” (orexis) is the application to daily living of the Stoic theoretical topic of “physics”, which includes the Stoic study of natural philosophy, cosmology, and theology.

The discipline of desire, according to this view, is the virtue of living in harmony with the Nature of the universe as a whole, or in the language of Stoic theology, with Zeus or God.  This entails having a “philosophical attitude” toward a life and acceptance of our Fate as necessary and inevitable.

It’s tempting to see this discipline as particularly associated with the cardinal virtues associated with self-control over the passions: “courage”, or endurance in the face of fear and suffering, and “self-discipline” (temperance), or the ability to renounce desire and abstain from false or unhealthy pleasures.  Hadot calls the goal of this discipline “amor fati” or the loving acceptance of one’s fate.  I’ve described this simply as “Stoic Acceptance”, meaning amor fati.

Epictetus famous slogan ‘Endure and Renounce’

The discipline of desire might also be described as the discipline or therapy of the ‘passions’ because it involves the prevention or remedy of unhealthy desires and irrational fears.

  1. To endure what they irrationally fear, or find aversive, with courage and perseverance.
  2. To renounce, or abstain from, what they irrationally crave, through discretion and self-discipline.

Share6
Tweet
Pin
Share
6 Shares

Get the Best Reads on Writing, Screenwriting, Self-Publishing & Better Living

« Unhappiness Is a Habit You Can Learn to Break
MONDAY LINKS ~ Reads on Writing, Self-publishing & Better Living: How We Got To Now »

Hi, I’m Merce!

Welcome to my site, the place where writers & publishers can find useful information, insights, resources & inspiration for writing, self-publishing & living a better ... View Post

Merce Cardus

Get Started with my Most Popular Posts

How to build a great daily routine

How To Build A Great Daily Routine

Bend, not break

Resilience: The Wisdom Of Bamboo

LinkFest ~ Best Reads on Writing, Screenwriting & Self-Publishing: Know Who You Are

You Are Not Doing What Makes You Happy and What You Can Do About It

A Skill You Can Cultivate: The Art Of Not Panicking

Search By Category

  • Category Index

mercecardus

Mer
Bosco verticale ↕️ vs Bosco orizzontale ↔️ Bosco verticale ↕️ vs Bosco orizzontale ↔️ 
#merinmilano #milano #italy #milan #italia #lombardia #design #madeinitaly #milanocity #igersmilano #iorestoacasa #architecture #italianstyle #italiainunoscatto #italia_inunoscatto #italia_landscape #italian_city #italian_trips #italia_super_pics #italiabella #italiani #igersitalia #italia_da_scoprire #italianart #streetart #boscoverticale
Esatto. 👌 #merinmilano #milano #italy #milan # Esatto. 👌
#merinmilano #milano #italy #milan #italia #lombardia #design #madeinitaly #milanocity #igersmilano #iorestoacasa #architecture #italianstyle #italiainunoscatto #italia_inunoscatto #italia_landscape #italian_city #italian_trips #italia_super_pics #italiabella #italiani #igersitalia #italia_da_scoprire #italianart #streetart #viaggio
Oggi solo io e te. Dating the city! 🤗 #merinmi Oggi solo io e te.
Dating the city! 🤗
#merinmilano #milano #italy #milan #italia #lombardia #design #madeinitaly #milanocity #igersmilano #iorestoacasa #architecture #italianstyle #italiainunoscatto #italia_inunoscatto #italia_landscape #italian_city #italian_trips #italia_super_pics #italiabella #italiani #igersitalia #italia_da_scoprire #italianart #streetart #friends #butfirstcoffee
So… This is IT! 😃 Right, @saminzecity ? #mer So… This is IT! 😃
Right, @saminzecity ?
#merinmilano #milano #italy #milan #italia #lombardia #design #madeinitaly #milanocity #igersmilano #iorestoacasa #architecture #italianstyle #italiainunoscatto #italia_inunoscatto #italia_landscape #italian_city #italian_trips #italia_super_pics #italiabella #italiani #igersitalia #italia_da_scoprire #italianart #streetart #friends #butfirstcoffee
Doubt is resistance; Faith is surrender. 🙏 #me Doubt is resistance;
Faith is surrender. 🙏
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers
Embrace progress ⚙️ #merinbarcelona #barcelon Embrace progress ⚙️
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #gaudiarchitecture #sagradafamília
You can’t win if you don’t play. But the quest You can’t win if you don’t play. But the question isn’t, what do you enjoy?
The question is, what price are you willing to pay for?
.
Happy weekend! ❤️
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers
The Universe is an infinite playground of magical The Universe is an infinite playground of magical possibilities.
👉The Force is with You. 
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers
The audacity to start believing in the not-yet see The audacity to start believing in the not-yet seen.—
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers
La Sagrada Família with @lego ❤️ #merinbarce La Sagrada Família with @lego ❤️
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers  #lasagradafamilia #lego
Togetherness #merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBar Togetherness 
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers #togetherness
Feliç Diada de Sant Jordi! 🌹📚 . Ps. A new b Feliç Diada de Sant Jordi! 🌹📚
.
Ps. A new book is coming up! 😉😃🙋‍♀️
#merinbarcelona #barcelona #HolaBarcelona #catalunya #catalunyaexperience #barcelonagram #loves_barcelona #total_barcelona #raconsde_catalunya #ok_catalunya #ig_barcelona #barcelona_world #ig_catalonia #elmeupetit_pais #descobreixcatalunya #barcelonaexperience #barcelona_turisme #barcelonalife #barcelonalovers #architecture #architecturephotography #architecturelovers #nature #naturephotography #naturelovers  #santjordi2022 #feliçdiadadesantjordi #booklovers
No matter how long your journey appears to be, the No matter how long your journey appears to be, there’s never more than this: one step, one breath, one moment — Now. 
—Eckhart Tolle 
.
. 
.
. 
#merintortosa #tortosa #terresdelebre #igersesbre #natu #awesome_earthpix #natgeoyourshot #natureonly #natgeotravel #nature_of_our_world #ig_nature_naturally #roamtheplanet #landscape_capture #paisajesnaturales #calm #naturephotography #landscapes #landscape_photography #pixel_ig #landscape_hunter #landscape_lovers #landscapecaptures #landscapestyles_gf #getlost #skyporn #explorer #sunsetlovers #createexplore #exploretocreate #architecturelovers
A mirror to remind you who you are. . . . . #mer A mirror to remind you who you are.
.
. 
.
. 
#merintortosa #tortosa #terresdelebre #igersesbre #natu #awesome_earthpix #natgeoyourshot #natureonly #natgeotravel #nature_of_our_world #ig_nature_naturally #roamtheplanet #landscape_capture #paisajesnaturales #calm #naturephotography #landscapes #landscape_photography #pixel_ig #landscape_hunter #landscape_lovers #landscapecaptures #landscapestyles_gf #getlost #skyporn #explorer #sunsetlovers #createexplore #exploretocreate #architecturelovers
Relax as it is. . . . . #merintortosa #tortosa # Relax as it is.
.
. 
.
. 
#merintortosa #tortosa #terresdelebre #igersesbre #natu #awesome_earthpix #natgeoyourshot #natureonly #natgeotravel #nature_of_our_world #ig_nature_naturally #roamtheplanet #landscape_capture #paisajesnaturales #calm #naturephotography #landscapes #landscape_photography #pixel_ig #landscape_hunter #landscape_lovers #landscapecaptures #landscapestyles_gf #getlost #skyporn #explorer #sunsetlovers #createexplore #exploretocreate #architecturelovers
Into the wild. . . . . #merintortosa #tortosa #t Into the wild.
.
. 
.
. 
#merintortosa #tortosa #terresdelebre #igersesbre #natu #awesome_earthpix #natgeoyourshot #natureonly #natgeotravel #nature_of_our_world #ig_nature_naturally #roamtheplanet #landscape_capture #paisajesnaturales #calm #naturephotography #landscapes #landscape_photography #pixel_ig #landscape_hunter #landscape_lovers #landscapecaptures #landscapestyles_gf #getlost #skyporn #explorer #sunsetlovers #createexplore #exploretocreate #architecturelovers
Mini-Vatican. . . . . #merintortosa #tortosa #te Mini-Vatican.
.
. 
.
. 
#merintortosa #tortosa #terresdelebre #igersesbre #natu #awesome_earthpix #natgeoyourshot #natureonly #natgeotravel #nature_of_our_world #ig_nature_naturally #roamtheplanet #landscape_capture #paisajesnaturales #calm #naturephotography #landscapes #landscape_photography #pixel_ig #landscape_hunter #landscape_lovers #landscapecaptures #landscapestyles_gf #getlost #skyporn #explorer #blue #createexplore #exploretocreate #architecturelovers
Un libro con un titolo così bello si compra, e ba Un libro con un titolo così bello si compra, e basta. 🤓🌊
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. 
.
. .
.
. .
#merinlampolla #lampolla #terresdelebre #igersesbre #natu #awesome_earthpix #natgeoyourshot #natureonly #natgeotravel #nature_of_our_world #ig_nature_naturally #roamtheplanet #landscape_capture #paisajesnaturales #calm #naturephotography #landscapes #landscape_photography #pixel_ig #landscape_hunter #landscape_lovers #landscapecaptures #landscapestyles_gf #getlost #skyporn #explorer #worldshotz #sea #exploretocreate #familytime
Sister Sistaaa ❤️ Let me tell you. We were hav Sister Sistaaa ❤️
Let me tell you.
We were having lunch…when suddenly…{swipe 👀}
Well, you know what they say, right?
De Madrid al cielo. 🚀😂
.
.
.
.
.
#merinmadrid #madrid #citylifemadrid #madridlovers #madridmadrid #madridcity #madridgram #igersmadrid #madridmola #madridseduce #madridlife #madridencanta #madrid_best_photos #pasion_por_madrid #total_madrid #madridmemata #madridstreetart #madridmemola #madridstreetlife #madridstyle #visitmadrid #madridneoyorkino #architecture #architecturelovers #sistersister #havingfun
When you ask for a Table for one…😄🥩 #meri When you ask for a Table for one…😄🥩
#merinmadrid #madrid #citylifemadrid #madridlovers #madridmadrid #madridcity #madridgram #igersmadrid #madridmola #madridseduce #madridlife #madridencanta #madrid_best_photos #pasion_por_madrid #total_madrid #madridmemata #madridstreetart #madridmemola #madridstreetlife #madridstyle #visitmadrid #madridneoyorkino #architecture #architecturelovers #meatlovers #tableforone
Load more... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2022 · Merce Cardus

  • Category Index
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy