Simon

We have reached a crossroad where our religious institutions require a replacement—something that fills the void left by the church while retaining those essential, spiritual values. Today, many of us are seeking a force greater than ourselves to maintain our sanity and contentment. Whether it’s found in myths or ancient wisdom, we need a foundation for establishing purposeful connections. Ultimately, we must reclaim the basic activities, beliefs, and rituals that sustained humanity before they were corrupted by institutional dogma, capitalism, and greed. While there are many ways to shift our direction and embrace a new spirituality, I am making the case for one of the most resilient structures available: Stoicism. In Stoicism, the primary focus is personal well-being for an ethical and happy life. The Stoics identified this path as living in harmony with nature. They famously taught that "virtue is the only true good," while external pursuits like wealth and fleeting pleas...

Adulthood brings the pernicious illusion of control The mirage of dominion over one’s own life That allows us to feel like adults We associate this maturity with autonomy The sovereign right to determine what is going to happen to us   Disillusionment comes sooner or later It always comes It doesn't miss an appointment; It never has And when it arrives We receive it without too much surprise   No one who has lived long enough is surprised to find  That their biography has been molded by distant events By other people's wills With little or no participation from our own decisions   There is a chain of circumstances that awaits around the corner And even though we know it And are certain that those things are happening There’s no way we can anticipate them   Struggling against its effects is all we can do Nevertheless, it's always somewhat dreadful When someone reveals to us The chain that has turned us into who we are   It's always disconcerting to discover ...