Szymon's Zettelkasten

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P: Stoicism: a way of domesticating emotions and using them to your own ends

Reference:: FleetingNote


"You don't have to turn this into something; it doesn't have to upset you." — Marcus Aurelius quote

Stoicism is the ability to process emotions and using them to your own positive ends.

The fact is, you won't be able to turn your emotions off. You will feel sadness, anger, happiness, surprise, fear, no matter how rational you are.

So, when you can't run away from emotions, you have three options.

You can get overwhelmed by them.

You can repress them.

You can domesticate them and use them to your own ends.

Why should you domesticate your emotions?

Emotions are information. Feedback and directionTK P: Do what bugs you.

Emotions tend to signal that something matters.

Emotions help you

Emotions are energy. Heart break, sadness, depression, grief, rage, etc. are unlimited sources energy. Guys often change a lot after a girls breaks up with them.

Negative emotions can be even more powerful (due to negativity bias). Use the positive/growth mindset to handle it. P: Growth mindset equals a positive mindset It's not something negative; it's positive.

The goal is to channel them into the direction most desirable. That way you're not only gaining energy but also neutralizing their potentially negative impact (poor decisions, losing control, etc.)

It relates to sexual transmutation.

How can you domesticate emotions?

  1. Whenever an emotion appears, don't run away from it or try to pretend it's not there; instead, acknowledge it and embrace it (remember, it's information and energy).
  1. Ask yourself why did it appear? What does it want to tell me? What has triggered it?
  1. Take action

Relevant notes (PN: )

PN: Control over emotions is a superpower: using emotions instead of avoiding or repressing them neutralizes them, which helps you keep you control.

P: Half of the success behind good decision-making is avoiding negative emotions: emotions cloud your thinking and lead to poor decisions.

PN: Meditation cleans up your brain: meditation is a great way to become more aware of your emotions.

Referenced in

P: The teacher appears when the student is ready

P: Stoicism: a way of domesticating emotions and using them to your own ends: Is stoicism a philosophy only to the strong ones—those who have all needs satisfied—or will it be helpful for those with basic need unsatisfied as well?