Good morning comrades, I write this on a cool Monday morning just as my coffee is about to go to work. Today we’re talking about mental resistance, a topic close to my heart. The truth of it is, at first light I don’t want to write this newsletter, and I certainly don’t want to get up extra early and go outside to my freezing cold garden and workout. Yes it’s a privilege, but I enjoy my downtime and a comfortable bed is one of the best feelings you can experience.
Yet, there’s something that draws me to continuing to push against this comfort. Whether it’s genetically programmed, built into my consciousness by living examples - or learned from reading about the subject. There’s something that brings me back to going that little bit further, even though I don’t really need to. We’re talking about encountering mental resistance, something all of us encounter I’m fairly certain on a daily basis.
Some will argue that ancient Stoicism endorses determinism — the view that our actions and choices are necessitated by factors beyond our control. So, strictly speaking, nothing is up to us. I don’t agree with this, while you must thread carefully, there are certain things, you can influence.
From the Ancients
Like with most issues in life, I turn to the ancients. Particularly the Stoics. Seems to me they had an answer for most things. Humanity, and our core problems haven’t actually changed that much within the last 2,500 years. Epictetus tells us to ‘persist and resist’, and to obey these words alternately as exhortations and restraints if we are to lead a life that is mainly blameless and trouble-free.
Marcus Aurelius commented on this similarly, when in his meditations he wrote that:
Our actions may be impeded . . . but there can be no impeding our intentions or dispositions. Because we can accommodate and adapt. The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.
We can even see Seneca writing about perspective, and overcoming resistance in his teachings: “man is affected not by events but by the view he takes of them”, and "it is not that we have a short time to live, but that we waste a lot of it."
Stoic writings are littered with psychology, and mental training. Even if your goals don’t look remotely similar to mine, that’s not important. What is valuable is remember that action is critical, regardless of how small the intent seems it’s a step in the right direction. Talk is cheap in my world, I much prefer acting on something, and addressing issues where possible. I suggest you do the same, if you wish to work towards Tranquility and increased mental resilience.
Attempting to deal with it
When it comes to facing mental resistance, Stoic lessons have gifted me several strategies, to think about:
Acceptance: Accept that mental resistance is a natural part of our human experience. Recognise that you cannot always control your thoughts and emotions, but you can control your response to them.
Control: Instead of trying to resist your mental blockers, focus on the things you can control, such as your actions and your attitude. For example, if you are feeling anxious about a situation, focus on taking practical steps to address the situation rather than dwelling on your anxiety.
Constant comfort isn’t a good thing: Stoics believed that discomfort and adversity are opportunities for growth and self-improvement. When you face mental resistance in any form, try to see it as an opportunity to strengthen your resilience and develop your inner resources by choosing action over inaction.
Keep a journal: Writing down your thoughts and emotions can help you gain clarity and perspective on them. This can help you develop a more objective and rational approach to dealing with mental resistance. If it’s on paper, its often out of your mind, and typically easier to process.
Recognise that discomfort is part of life: A Stoic would understand that discomfort, pain, and even adversity are inevitable aspects of the human experience. Whilst we don’t constantly seek these (that would be ridiculous), we would accept these challenges as a natural part of life and view them as opportunities for growth.
Overall these prompts are a way to start you off, and each can be expanded upon, perhaps we will do so for another newsletter. Ultimately remember this; persist towards your ideal life, and resist the constant comfort. Do take the time you need.
ICYMI
Highlighting last week’s newsletter, which covers a crucial aspect of practicing Stoicism, some of which is listed above.
Quote for the week ahead
Your good fortune is not to need good fortune.
— Seneca, On Providence
Free Philosophy Courses
Pinching this from
. The University of Edinburgh are covering a range of philosophical topics, you can check them out below: Get after it! I’m going to look at “Know Thyself - The Value and Limits of Self-Knowledge”.https://www.ed.ac.uk/ppls/philosophy/research/impact/free-online-courses