A good way to simplifying epicurean pleasure: "Comfy but not high on crack". The distinction between peace of mind and hedonics is kinda muddled similar to stoicism and its extreme masochistic "hustle/masculinity" counterparts. In some sense scepticism vs relativism, or cynicism vs nihilism also fall within this type of one-track thinking.
Absolutely poignant. Now, I have an academic precedent from antiquity by which to define what I convey to others when they ask me about my approach to life, or for when they wonder "what it is all about?" It would seem that Epicureanism and Stoicism share much common ground. In this era of runaway information and so much social hand wringing, Epicureanism would seem to be a universal life "hack."
Hi Tom. A thought-provoking piece. As someone who has spent the last 33 years working with people to help them achieve their life goals I have, inevitably, experienced times when people have failed to do so because death came sooner than expected. In almost every case there are the unspoken words of regret which hang around the family. The sense that things could have been different, if only.
There are often huge positives that come out of these deaths. They can serve as a warning to others in the family, who DO change their life’s trajectory. Who decide to do something sooner rather than later. Or to do something different, to alter their lives completely, because what if they never try?
And of course there are lessons for me too.
Thanks also for the mention of Taleb. I’m a huge fan of his writing (though not so much of the man). I was not aware of the Incerto Collection, but will now check that out.
I feel this one is intrinsically linked to your #5 issue - The importance of the ordinary. I may be extrapolating here, but the more I age, the more I view epicureanism as a medicine of the soul; a mindset (I hate this word, but here we go) that will help you nurture your wounds and get back on the saddle. As you said, contrary to the popular opinion, you don't need "more" when things go wrong in your life. You don't necessarly need less also. You need a way to find back your compass, and like an old car battery, recalibrate and recharge. Contemplation, simple pleasures, nature and a lot of time alone intersperseded with meaningful conversations with great friends are critical; and what is all this, if not the mantra of Epicureanism?
Camus writes at length in his notebooks that his travels and semi-isolation within the Mediterranean countryside (esp Spouth of France, Greece and Italy) helped him surpass his failed first marriage and existential dread. He also spent a lot of time in the Algerian countryside with selected friends and credits that time as being the most important in his writer's life, from a creative perspective. He also stated after having received the Nobel prize that he could not stay for long periods of time in Paris, as the "big-city" atmosphere was detrimental to his mood and creativity.
Well before that time, philosopher René Decartes said he developped his theory while stuck in a small room during the German winter (he was a soldier at that time and this forced isolation gave him the rest and clarity of mind necessary to finally put into words what he had been intuiting for the past 4 years).
We could also talk about Theodore Roosevelt who, following both the death of his wife and mother AND his failed attempt at getting into politics, decided to leave the East coast and become a rancher in North Dakota. He spent the next two years mastering his sorrow by being a cowboy and cattle-owner, far from the lights of the cities. He only came back once he felt healed.
These examples may seem far-fetched regarding this week's topic, but I think they are totally on point with the subject: Pause, live well, and see what it does to your soul.
As of last week, I did not allow myself to sit down for a few moments and relax until I was done with my to-do list. But I found that the to-do list never stops. So for the past few days I have made it a "to-do" to sit down for 5-10 minutes and do literally nothing. It is a skill that I do not have. But it has been glorious to allow myself to do nothing.
This post makes me think of the popularity of Marie Kondo. Remove everything that doesn't bring you joy. And allow yourself to FEEL joy over your things!
Think I may adopt it as a signature for a while, it seems to be a real statement. I had an old gym partner, huge Polish man, who used to sign off his messages with "Strength and Honor", but I fear I'm about 20kg too light and far too babyfaced for that.
I'll be the first to stick my hand up and say that I learned a great deal about Epicurus that I had no idea about before. Having spent time with Aurelius, Seneca and co, I somewhat naively assumed that Epicurus wasn't worth exploring.
That being said, my initial reaction to encountering stoicism many years ago was "that sounds dreadfully boring", and while I've come to realize the usefulness of the principles and have probably unconsciously adopted many of the behaviors, my opinion on it hasn't changed too much.
Well yet another book has been added to the list. Given that were about to plunge right back into quarantine over here in Ireland, I fully intend to make a respectable dent in it.
"Most people, at least judging by surface appearances, are terrible at being happy. And they have a talent, or at least a wilfulness, towards making themselves miserable."
Agreed. It's also never been easier to distract your life away. Not happy, not sad, just meh. Youtube, twitter, instagram will keep you watching and scrolling and content. Not happy, but just distracted enough to hold your attention until it's time to eat or sleep.
"This is a simple point, a stupefyingly simple point, but one which in all of our quasi-sophistication we suppress: If you aren’t enjoying what you are doing, why are you continuing to do it?"
Having spent the last hour scrolling that I had intended to spend reading, I felt that. I promise to switch off my laptop and get back to Hesse after I finish this post.
This post reminded me of an old Taleb tweet actually, where he discussed his idea of true wealth, which align pretty closely with the ideals laid out in this post: "True wealth consists of Worriless sleeping, Clear conscience, Reciprocal gratitude, Absence of envy, Good appetite, Muscle strength, Physical energy, Frequent laughs, No meals alone, No gym classes, Some physical labor, No meeting rooms, Periodic surprises"
Couldn't agree more to be honest.
In terms of the ethical arguments and nuances of choosing a life based on pleasure, I've always found the idea that "the easiest way to get what you want is to give enough other people what they want" to be odd - does it take away from the kindness of the act if it's carried out with the intention of receiving reciprocation? Must an act be selfless in order to be good?
The answer seems simple, but it's always bothered me for some reason.
Anyway, congratulations on the success of these posts, I can imagine it's been incredibly gratifying to see your words resonate. 4-figures is just around the corner.
Thanks Thomas, I look forward to your essays very much. They seem to re-connect me with a very deep and true part of myself that I feel like I am re-discovering day by day and your writings are helping me get back to that place. Live well :)
This feels very familiar to me and matches up to how I try to live each day.
Some of the more meaningful connections I've had over the last 8 Covid-19 months are with walkers I pass on my daily ride. We see each other daily but slowing and engaging with them is especially fulfilling.
Meeting "Peace" and learning that she walks 11 miles a day is inspiring.
Seeing how Geraldine has warmed up and eagerly smiles is especially gratifying.
I have many other memories.
I appreciate the thoughts you shared about spending time with friends. It's very gratifying to see the world through people you might not have noticed if you didn't take the time to ask a question and start-up a new connection.
A good way to simplifying epicurean pleasure: "Comfy but not high on crack". The distinction between peace of mind and hedonics is kinda muddled similar to stoicism and its extreme masochistic "hustle/masculinity" counterparts. In some sense scepticism vs relativism, or cynicism vs nihilism also fall within this type of one-track thinking.
Absolutely poignant. Now, I have an academic precedent from antiquity by which to define what I convey to others when they ask me about my approach to life, or for when they wonder "what it is all about?" It would seem that Epicureanism and Stoicism share much common ground. In this era of runaway information and so much social hand wringing, Epicureanism would seem to be a universal life "hack."
Hi Tom. A thought-provoking piece. As someone who has spent the last 33 years working with people to help them achieve their life goals I have, inevitably, experienced times when people have failed to do so because death came sooner than expected. In almost every case there are the unspoken words of regret which hang around the family. The sense that things could have been different, if only.
There are often huge positives that come out of these deaths. They can serve as a warning to others in the family, who DO change their life’s trajectory. Who decide to do something sooner rather than later. Or to do something different, to alter their lives completely, because what if they never try?
And of course there are lessons for me too.
Thanks also for the mention of Taleb. I’m a huge fan of his writing (though not so much of the man). I was not aware of the Incerto Collection, but will now check that out.
Hey Thomas ! Great newsletter, as usual.
I feel this one is intrinsically linked to your #5 issue - The importance of the ordinary. I may be extrapolating here, but the more I age, the more I view epicureanism as a medicine of the soul; a mindset (I hate this word, but here we go) that will help you nurture your wounds and get back on the saddle. As you said, contrary to the popular opinion, you don't need "more" when things go wrong in your life. You don't necessarly need less also. You need a way to find back your compass, and like an old car battery, recalibrate and recharge. Contemplation, simple pleasures, nature and a lot of time alone intersperseded with meaningful conversations with great friends are critical; and what is all this, if not the mantra of Epicureanism?
Camus writes at length in his notebooks that his travels and semi-isolation within the Mediterranean countryside (esp Spouth of France, Greece and Italy) helped him surpass his failed first marriage and existential dread. He also spent a lot of time in the Algerian countryside with selected friends and credits that time as being the most important in his writer's life, from a creative perspective. He also stated after having received the Nobel prize that he could not stay for long periods of time in Paris, as the "big-city" atmosphere was detrimental to his mood and creativity.
Well before that time, philosopher René Decartes said he developped his theory while stuck in a small room during the German winter (he was a soldier at that time and this forced isolation gave him the rest and clarity of mind necessary to finally put into words what he had been intuiting for the past 4 years).
We could also talk about Theodore Roosevelt who, following both the death of his wife and mother AND his failed attempt at getting into politics, decided to leave the East coast and become a rancher in North Dakota. He spent the next two years mastering his sorrow by being a cowboy and cattle-owner, far from the lights of the cities. He only came back once he felt healed.
These examples may seem far-fetched regarding this week's topic, but I think they are totally on point with the subject: Pause, live well, and see what it does to your soul.
As of last week, I did not allow myself to sit down for a few moments and relax until I was done with my to-do list. But I found that the to-do list never stops. So for the past few days I have made it a "to-do" to sit down for 5-10 minutes and do literally nothing. It is a skill that I do not have. But it has been glorious to allow myself to do nothing.
This post makes me think of the popularity of Marie Kondo. Remove everything that doesn't bring you joy. And allow yourself to FEEL joy over your things!
Live well. Gorgeous, I love it.
Think I may adopt it as a signature for a while, it seems to be a real statement. I had an old gym partner, huge Polish man, who used to sign off his messages with "Strength and Honor", but I fear I'm about 20kg too light and far too babyfaced for that.
I'll be the first to stick my hand up and say that I learned a great deal about Epicurus that I had no idea about before. Having spent time with Aurelius, Seneca and co, I somewhat naively assumed that Epicurus wasn't worth exploring.
That being said, my initial reaction to encountering stoicism many years ago was "that sounds dreadfully boring", and while I've come to realize the usefulness of the principles and have probably unconsciously adopted many of the behaviors, my opinion on it hasn't changed too much.
Well yet another book has been added to the list. Given that were about to plunge right back into quarantine over here in Ireland, I fully intend to make a respectable dent in it.
"Most people, at least judging by surface appearances, are terrible at being happy. And they have a talent, or at least a wilfulness, towards making themselves miserable."
Agreed. It's also never been easier to distract your life away. Not happy, not sad, just meh. Youtube, twitter, instagram will keep you watching and scrolling and content. Not happy, but just distracted enough to hold your attention until it's time to eat or sleep.
"This is a simple point, a stupefyingly simple point, but one which in all of our quasi-sophistication we suppress: If you aren’t enjoying what you are doing, why are you continuing to do it?"
Having spent the last hour scrolling that I had intended to spend reading, I felt that. I promise to switch off my laptop and get back to Hesse after I finish this post.
This post reminded me of an old Taleb tweet actually, where he discussed his idea of true wealth, which align pretty closely with the ideals laid out in this post: "True wealth consists of Worriless sleeping, Clear conscience, Reciprocal gratitude, Absence of envy, Good appetite, Muscle strength, Physical energy, Frequent laughs, No meals alone, No gym classes, Some physical labor, No meeting rooms, Periodic surprises"
Couldn't agree more to be honest.
In terms of the ethical arguments and nuances of choosing a life based on pleasure, I've always found the idea that "the easiest way to get what you want is to give enough other people what they want" to be odd - does it take away from the kindness of the act if it's carried out with the intention of receiving reciprocation? Must an act be selfless in order to be good?
The answer seems simple, but it's always bothered me for some reason.
Anyway, congratulations on the success of these posts, I can imagine it's been incredibly gratifying to see your words resonate. 4-figures is just around the corner.
Live well
Thanks Thomas, I look forward to your essays very much. They seem to re-connect me with a very deep and true part of myself that I feel like I am re-discovering day by day and your writings are helping me get back to that place. Live well :)
Ashley
This feels very familiar to me and matches up to how I try to live each day.
Some of the more meaningful connections I've had over the last 8 Covid-19 months are with walkers I pass on my daily ride. We see each other daily but slowing and engaging with them is especially fulfilling.
Meeting "Peace" and learning that she walks 11 miles a day is inspiring.
Seeing how Geraldine has warmed up and eagerly smiles is especially gratifying.
I have many other memories.
I appreciate the thoughts you shared about spending time with friends. It's very gratifying to see the world through people you might not have noticed if you didn't take the time to ask a question and start-up a new connection.
As I work to consciously unwind my workaholic tendencies, THIS will be my mantra.
Live Well
Thanks Tom