[NoraSpinnor]

I created the following meditation based on the Stoic practice of identifying impressions and not fueling them. In Stoicism, “impressions” are instinctual emotional responses we cannot avoid. “Emotions” are deeper; they are crafted on self-narratives, moral frameworks, and expectations. Stoics stress that our emotional framework, essentially what we expect out of life, is critical to happiness. If, for example, we believe that the world should hand us good things, we will be continuously disappointed.

Marcus Auerilius, among others, made morning meditations along these lines to be reflected on at sunrise. Stoics set reasonable expectations and made the decision to lift the Net through positive action, regardless of whatever unideal situations popped up throughout the day. This helped them maintain peace of mind in turbulent times. In their minds, this peace meant freedom; constantly falling to the pull of anger was mental enslavement.

The following meditation reflects this concept:
“As I enter into public, I will undeniably encounter people who are selfish, self-entitled, rude, and lazy. They are this way because they have not yet figured out another way to be; it is human nature. This should upset me no more than when a frog snatches a passing fly. I mourn a momentary impulse of irritation no more than I mourn the fly. It is part of the cycle.”

Have you implemented this concept of identifying impressions and separating them from emotions? Do you plan to? Share your thoughts below.

[Esther]

I like this, I’m a total type A and not everyone else is. I have to remind myself of this when others are late, unprepared, or unorganized. I’m not perfect either.

[Bastet]

OMG ppl drive me nuts sum days BUT should they? 🦇 You make a good point. Pardon my french but ppl can suck a lot of the time. Cant let it get u down. 👻🖤

[NecroHaven]

probly shuld adopt this. human stupidity pisses me off but its kinda hard to avoid ya no?

[Matt]

Gotta stick this to my partners forehead before we go out in public lmao I’m a mess but this is gold

[AmberXStardust]

This makes total sense
People will be people
Can’t let that spiral me out of control ⋆˚꩜｡
Breathe, return to center… 🧘🏼‍♂️
And remember that no one is perfect 𓂃 ོ☼𓂃

[Author]

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