Multiconstruct

I’m deep into week 3 of the stoic spiritual exercises and tomorrow I will launch the final week and wrestle with Temperance. I have been busy and am only now getting to post about Bravery.

In the Stoic tradition Bravery has to do with the Discipline of Desire. What we desire is one of the four things that are under our control along with our opinion, moving toward a thing, and aversion. Bravery is rooted in recognizing that virtue is the only good and if we desire our life to be in accordance with nature we care little for external events.

What concern we do have for events is rooted in Amor Fati or Love of Fate. Whatever befalls us is necessary and an opportunity to exercise virtue. I’d something unpleasant or difficult occurs it’s a. Opportunity to practice forbearance. In frightening times of folks being gunned down in the streets it is an opportunity to practice bravery.

Alex Peretti gave a master class on bravery. He showed up and documented and tried to help. He was inviolate in his virtue. Though an ICE officer took his life they could not touch his spirit of resistance which is a bright flame that guides us all now.

The spiritual exercises this week have focused on physical health especially weight training. Becoming stronger physically can also inform our sense of self and allow for greater confidence and courage to take on tasks. I have maintained my work out routine and added a walk on a cold day and being mindful on my snow removal.

I did make a Facebook reel on the virtue. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1FYabN3eno/

I’ve also been doing a morning and evening meditation to set my intention for the day and then reflect on how it all came out. You can find them on my page. Twice a day posting and they e added up quick. The links only work for 30 days so sorry future readers. https://www.facebook.com/share/1RoH3YL6rn/

You can read the chart what the virtue means.  I’ve been slow walking myself through the chapter on Discipline of Desire in The Inner Citadel by Hadot. It focuses on aiming our desires exclusively to moral good. Amor Fati means we love our fate as a rule because it’s necessary and an opportunity to practice virtue.

I’ve embraced the cold and living in a time where my government executes community observers in the streets. It’s made for an intense week which is why I’m only getting to posting the weekly virtue at the end of the week. Tomorrow I’ll introduce Temperance on Facebook Live at noon. Hope to post here Wednesday evening.

Be brave. Keep the faith. Solidarity, Community, Empathy.