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Stillness Is the Key
Marcus Aurelius famously described a number of what he called “epithets for the self.” Among his were: Upright. Modest. Straightforward. Sane. Cooperative. These were, then, the traits that served him well as emperor. There are many other traits that could be added to this list: Honest. Patient. Caring. Kind. Brave. Calm. Firm. Generous. Forgiving.
... See moreRyan Holiday • Stillness is the Key: An Ancient Strategy for Modern Life (The Way, the Enemy and the Key)
The Buddhist word for it was upekkha. The Muslims spoke of aslama. The Hebrews, hishtavut. The second book of the Bhagavad Gita, the epic poem of the warrior Arjuna, speaks of samatvam, an “evenness of mind—a peace that is ever the same.” The Greeks, euthymia and hesychia. The Epicureans, ataraxia. The Christians, aequanimitas. In English: stillnes
... See moreRyan Holiday • Stillness is the Key: An Ancient Strategy for Modern Life (The Way, the Enemy and the Key)
“When you realize there is nothing lacking,” Lao Tzu says, “the whole world belongs to you.”
Ryan Holiday • Stillness is the Key: An Ancient Strategy for Modern Life (The Way, the Enemy and the Key)
This is, in fact, the first obligation of a leader and a decision maker. Our job is not to “go with our gut” or fixate on the first impression we form about an issue. No, we need to be strong enough to resist thinking that is too neat, too plausible, and therefore almost always wrong. Because if the leader can’t take the time to develop a clear sen
... See moreRyan Holiday • Stillness is the Key: An Ancient Strategy for Modern Life (The Way, the Enemy and the Key)
Careful as someone crossing an iced-over stream. Alert as a warrior in enemy territory. Courteous as a guest. Fluid as melting ice. Shapable as a block of wood. Receptive as a valley. Clear as a glass of water. The Daoists would say that he had stilled the muddied water in his mind until he could see through
Ryan Holiday • Stillness is the Key: An Ancient Strategy for Modern Life (The Way, the Enemy and the Key)
Sigmund Freud himself wrote about how common it is for deficiencies, big and small, at a young age to birth toxic, turbulent attitudes in adulthood. Because we weren’t born rich enough, pretty enough, naturally gifted enough, because we weren’t appreciated like other children in the classroom, or because we had to wear glasses or got sick a lot or
... See moreRyan Holiday • Stillness is the Key: An Ancient Strategy for Modern Life (The Way, the Enemy and the Key)
Each of us will: • Rise above our physical limitations. • Find hobbies that rest and replenish us. • Develop a reliable, disciplined routine. • Spend time getting active outdoors. • Seek out solitude and perspective. • Learn to sit—to do nothing when called for. • Get enough sleep and rein in our workaholism. • Commit to causes bigger than ourselve
... See moreRyan Holiday • Stillness is the Key: An Ancient Strategy for Modern Life (The Way, the Enemy and the Key)
To the Epicureans real pleasure was about freedom from pain and agitation.
Ryan Holiday • Stillness is the Key: An Ancient Strategy for Modern Life (The Way, the Enemy and the Key)
Epicurus once said that the wise will accomplish three things in their life: leave written works behind them, be financially prudent and provide for the future, and cherish country living.