Post: #1

I'm looking for stoic way of life and reading Marcus Aurelius Meditations, looking through websites about it, and so on. It is said that we cannot be dependent on our external desires. So let's say I have the desire of hitting on girls, taking them home, and do it repeatedly as hotter the girls I see are. Does that makes stoic averse to the topic of this forum?

And if we need to embrace what the universe gives us instead of expect it to deliver what we want, why bother trying do things? Should we be the passive kinda person that accepts everything and has no desire?

Post: #2

Do you think Marcus Aurelius, emperor of the Roman Empire, just sat around scratching his balls?

Post: #3

I think you are really missing the complete, entire point of what you have read.

Go back and try again.

Post: #4

(03-07-2019 04:24 PM)RatInTheWoods Wrote:  I think you are really missing the complete, entire point of what you have read.

Go back and try again.

I believe i am letting myself confused by reading every website I see in front of me about stoic. Maybe i am being misinformed by them. Gonna try to focus on Marcus Meditations.

Post: #5

(03-07-2019 02:58 PM)Jhon_travolta Wrote:  I'm looking for stoic way of life and reading Marcus Aurelius Meditations, looking through websites about it, and so on. It is said that we cannot be dependent on our external desires. So let's say I have the desire of hitting on girls, taking them home, and do it repeatedly as hotter the girls I see are. Does that makes stoic averse to the topic of this forum?

And if we need to embrace what the universe gives us instead of expect it to deliver what we want, why bother trying do things? Should we be the passive kinda person that accepts everything and has no desire?

"To love only what happens, what was destined. No greater harmony."

Understand yourself, then what happens will be what you know yourself to be.

Post: #6

OP. Your last questions really tapped the bell...

Growing up as a Evangelical I really thought things would be a certain way...yet at times to my own disappointment I have had to accept what the universe gave me rather than what I was taught to except. Pain is an amazing teacher in life

Post: #7

(03-07-2019 02:58 PM)Jhon_travolta Wrote:  I'm looking for stoic way of life and reading Marcus Aurelius Meditations, looking through websites about it, and so on. It is said that we cannot be dependent on our external desires. So let's say I have the desire of hitting on girls, taking them home, and do it repeatedly as hotter the girls I see are. Does that makes stoic averse to the topic of this forum?

And if we need to embrace what the universe gives us instead of expect it to deliver what we want, why bother trying do things? Should we be the passive kinda person that accepts everything and has no desire?

OP, the whole point of Marcus Arelius's meditations is to live your life to the fullest in a meaningful way that is of value to yourself, and to the world, in a lasting way by avoiding excessive hedonism.

Yes, Marcus Aurelius will be disappointed in you and frown down on you from heaven when you go to pick up a girl at a nightclub. That doesn't matter though. The point is that you shouldn't interpret anything too dogmatically, even Marcus Aurelius or Stoicism.

They both present powerful and superior methods to live your life compared to dominant mainstream beliefs today. They should be a guide or model for you to live your life by, not a dogma.

So, if you value these ideas, do your best to live by them. If you really can't or don't want to let go of chasing girls in clubs, at least don't become a slave to it or lose focus on what matters long term in life. I believe this is what's called, "Being a slave to the game".

Play the game, but whatever you do, don't be a slave to it.

I hope this helps with your confusion about what to believe or do.