What is Wisdom Keeper in Stoicism?
In Stoicism, the concept of the Wisdom Keeper plays a fundamental role in the pursuit of virtue and happiness. The Wisdom Keeper is a metaphor that represents our ability to discern between what is in our control and what is not, and to act in accordance with that understanding. In this glossary, we will explore in detail the meaning and importance of the Wisdom Keeper in Stoicism.
Stoic Philosophy
Before we dive into the concept of the Wisdom Keeper, it is important to understand a little about Stoic philosophy as a whole. Stoicism is a school of philosophical thought that originated in Ancient Greece and developed over the centuries. The Stoics believed that virtue is the only true good and that happiness can be achieved through practicing virtue and developing an accepting attitude toward external events.
The Guardian of Wisdom
In Stoicism, the Wisdom Keeper is a representation of our ability to discern between what is in our control and what is not. He is responsible for helping us identify the things that are within our power to influence and accept those that are beyond our control. The Wisdom Keeper helps us direct our efforts towards what really matters and avoid wasting energy on things we cannot change.
What is in our control
According to Stoicism, what is under our control are our thoughts, our opinions, our actions and our emotional reactions. These are the only things we can truly control in our lives. Everything else, such as external events, the behavior of others, and even our health, is beyond our control. The Wisdom Keeper helps us recognize this distinction and focus our efforts on what we can truly influence.
What is not in our control
On the other hand, what is not under our control are external events, the actions and behaviors of others, life circumstances and even our own health. These things are beyond our power to influence, and therefore we should not worry excessively about them. The Wisdom Keeper helps us accept these things as they are and not let ourselves be disturbed by what we cannot change.
The importance of the Wisdom Keeper
The Wisdom Keeper plays a crucial role in the pursuit of virtue and happiness in Stoicism. By helping us discern between what is in our control and what is not, it allows us to direct our efforts towards what really matters and avoid wasting energy on things we cannot change. The Wisdom Keeper helps us cultivate an attitude of acceptance towards external events and develop a resilient mindset in the face of adversity.
How to develop Wisdom Keeper
Developing Wisdom Keeper requires practice and constant reflection. We need to be aware of our thoughts, opinions and emotional reactions, and question whether they are aligned with what is under our control. It is important to remember that the Keeper of Wisdom does not mean that we should be passive in the face of life's circumstances, but rather that we should direct our efforts towards what we can really influence.
Wisdom Keeper Practical Examples
To illustrate the Wisdom Keeper concept, let's consider some practical examples. Imagine you are stuck in traffic and are late for an important meeting. The Wisdom Keeper would help you recognize that traffic is beyond your control and that worrying and being stressed will not change the situation. Instead, the Wisdom Keeper would encourage you to accept the situation as it is and find ways to deal with the delay constructively.
The benefits of the Wisdom Keeper
By cultivating Wisdom Keeper, we can experience a range of benefits in our lives. We can develop greater resilience in the face of adversity, a greater ability to deal with stress and greater peace of mind. By directing our efforts toward what we can truly influence, we can achieve a greater sense of purpose and meaning in our lives and live according to our deepest values.
Conclusion
The Wisdom Keeper plays a key role in Stoicism, helping us discern between what is in our control and what is not. It helps us direct our efforts towards what really matters and cultivate an attitude of acceptance towards external events. By developing the Wisdom Keeper, we can experience greater resilience, a greater ability to deal with stress, and greater peace of mind. Therefore, it is essential to cultivate this skill to live a more virtuous and happy life.
