Wisdom from Epictetus

7 Comments

1. Kathleen
   November 30, 2019 @ 11:07 am

   I’ve heard this advice in various forms throughout my life, but the mind believed that being okay with exactly what happens was not possible – at least not for this unit.

   But now that I see it is possible to want, accept and love all that arises, I see the profundity of this guidance. It still takes practice, but it’s doable – and immensely worth it!

   • Fred Davis
     December 2, 2019 @ 6:54 pm

     ♥

2. Mike
   December 2, 2019 @ 5:25 pm

   I saw a freeway sign that said “expect delays”. I had a good time with the oxymoron that was. I merrily traveled for a half hour further, when I discovered that I had left my bicycle behind, just unlocked on a street corner. Now what to “expect”, will it still be there or not?! Will Mike stop thinking about which outcome, and what reaction each will bring (including serenity for each because whichever – is what WILL happen!). The thing about wishing for everything to happen as it actually does happen, or thy will be done, is that they are windows of opportunity on to the given present. What’s (“thy will’ is) happening now. Or in a word, happy (as DEFINED by Epictetus’ quote; a condensing of “happ(y)ening”)

   • Fred Davis
     December 2, 2019 @ 6:53 pm

     Excellent, Mike! Now we all want to know if your bike was still there.

3. Kathleen
   December 3, 2019 @ 10:34 am

   “Wishing for things to happen as they do presents windows of opportunity.” Mike, this reminds me of what Fred says: “Resistance is missed opportunity.”

   I’m trying not to care what happened to your bike – but do tell!

   K

4. Mike
   December 3, 2019 @ 9:49 pm

   Oh my gosh I didn’t realize I inflicted the same suspense on you! It was there! But then I got TWO flat tires this week (the first was a razer blade!, that though lying flat in the street, was flicked up into the supposedly protective fender and then flicked sideways and buried into the sidewall, for a spectacular blowout). And the humor and serenity ride on, Mike the backseat driver about which outcomes he narrates out to then pontificate which degree of good/bad they are. “Everything as it is” means play-accepting HIM (first), because otherwise everything Is as it is. (no suspense!)

   • Fred Davis
     December 4, 2019 @ 1:06 am

     Hear, hear! If we cannot accept the character we thought ourselves to be, then we have not fully awakened.