“Remember that the governing self [your inner self] invincible when
it withdraws into itself and is satisfied with itself,
doing nothing which it does not will to do, even if its opposition is unreasonable.
This power is even greater when it makes decisions rationally and carefully about a specific situation. Therefore, a mind unclouded by emotions stands as a fortress; for man has nothing stronger into which to retreat and be thereafter inexpugnable. Someone who hasn't realized this lacks awareness; those who understand but don't seek refuge within are missing out.”
~
{{username}}, imagine for a moment that within you stands an impregnable and invincible fortress.
No one can storm it, nothing can shake its walls.
This fortress is your spirit, your soul freed from passions,
Marcus Aurelius reminds us of this in his writings from Book 8 of his Meditations.
He is saying to himself and to you as you read these lines: Your inner fortress is a refuge to which you can retreat, a place of calm and power, independent of everything that is happening around you.
The principle that must govern you at all times, that of reason,
becomes
invincible
if you give it the only place it should occupy in your mind: the central place, exactly where your thought paths intersect.
Your guiding principle, shaped by practice and time, has the unique ability to never act against its will and to remain undeterred by external attacks.
When this principle is aligned with reason, that is, when your judgments and actions are based on careful and reflective examination, your mind becomes the fortress of which the Stoic emperor speaks.
— And this inner fortress, should I retreat into it? Wouldn't you actually lock yourself in there?
On the contrary, {{username}}, this inner space is where your true freedom lies.
This inner fortress is ultimately your freedom.
— So what do you mean by "my freedom"? I don't understand that. How can retreating into a fortress make me free?
Here's the reasoning:
When you let your emotions rule you, you become their slave, but it's only when you free yourself from parasitic thoughts that you become truly free.
Think about it. It is this inner fortress that protects you and thus | ___ //frees you \\______ |from external attacks: others and their judgments, involuntary emotions, the past and the future, the flow of events. These four things that are external to you and over which you have no control.
We can't control these outside attacks; but our reaction to these threats, our ability to stay calm, to take a step back, to analyze and moderate, that's where you have absolute power; because the rest, everything else that comes at you from the outside, you can't stop.
You are not defenseless against negative thoughts that appear without warning and seem to impose their torment on you. This fortress protects your mental integrity from worries that keep you awake at night:
Calm and serene.
Moderate.
Thoughtful.
With a peaceful heart and clear judgment that allows you to take the actions necessary for change.
By nurturing this fortress, you become free.
So how can you cultivate and strengthen this fortress?
Through the daily exercise of reflection,
through the constant exercise of reason...
— But what is "the exercise of reason", Marcus?
The exercise of reason, {{username}}, is something like a compass that you point to the north of your thoughts and actions. It is the active process by which you attempt to align your decisions, reactions and judgments with the principles of logic – that is, to foster objective/rational thinking within you at all times that is consistent with your values, rather than being guided by fleeting, often destabilizing impulses.
What should your values be? The Stoics speak of virtue. Interpret this "virtue" however you want, find the definition you are comfortable with; but be aware that it is first and foremost about acting well and with effort.
The exercise of reason, {{username}}, is thus a training of the mind, a daily discipline.
Like any training, it requires time, patience and perseverance.
— Okay, I understand. So how do we practice it?
Again, find what suits you.
Some read;
Some meditate;
Some journal or write down thoughts of gratitude;
Some talk to themselves in the form of an inner dialog;
Some go to online forums and share with others;
Others have conversations in real life.
In practice, instead of immediately reacting immediately with anger to a criticism, you can pause and objectively analyze whether this criticism is justified and where the truth lies. Or if you are faced with a difficult decision, instead of being guided by fear or anger, you rationally list the pros and cons of each option to make an informed decision that is guided by... guided by reason.