Noted
My first post in the Stoicism Redux section of Golden Mean features David Fideler and his delightful book Breakfast with Seneca: A Stoic Guide to the Art of Living. My wife and I are reading this 2022 book at our breakfast table. Fideler coaches his readers through many of Seneca’s letters to his friend Lucilius. During the evening meal we read a letter from Letters From A Stoic. It is like they were written to us last week from a friend. Seneca wrote in letter 8, “I am working for later generations, writing down some ideas that may benefit them.” It’s happening, we’re reading them, and they are pretty amazing, so fresh.
Quote
Whenever Seneca discusses fear or anxiety, he’s always quick to point out how to overcome these kinds of worries: instead of mentally “time traveling” to some point in the future when some bad might happen, and worrying about it now, live in the present moment. Marcus Aurelius, who read Seneca, agreed. He wrote that the only life we truly have is in the present moment. (Meditations 12.26) Breakfast with Seneca
Reflection
The Present Moment — how many writers over the centuries have encouraged their readers to grasp this concept, hardly a reality for most of us. My long time favorite writer on the topic is Jean Pierre de Caussade in his timeless 18th-century classic, Abandonment to Divine Providence. This little book is also known as The Sacrament of the Present Moment.
“If we have abandoned ourselves to God, there is only one rule for us: the duty of the present moment.”
Mindfulness is the current take on present moment living with books like Eckhart Tolle’s, The Power of Now, speaking to millions. Mindfulness meditation has become a big business.
Resources and Events
For more on David Fideler:
https://www.stoicinsights.com/
https://livingideasjournal.com/
Check out this online program presented by Stoic and Classical scholars on the significance of Marcus Aurelius:
Does Marcus Matter? Jan 23, 2024 12 to 3 PM EST
Now that you are a “paid” subscriber I am going to have to be on top of my game! Thanks.
Lots of positives to ponder!!