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How to Achieve that Elusive Stoic Goal of Tranquility
And why this should be our aim.
What does a “tranquil” person look like to you?
Do you imagine someone sitting on a pillow with a serene look on her face?
Or perhaps someone who has disengaged from society and has committed herself to a life of solitary, internal investigation?
Contrary to how you might imagine a tranquil person, the Stoics were actively engaged in society. One was even the emperor of Rome. The Stoics were people who looked inward to better look outward. They pursued what they believed was right. They didn’t just sit on a cushion.
But, what was tranquility to a Stoic? Why was this an aim they spent a lifetime pursuing? And why should we follow their lead?
What is tranquility?
Stoic tranquility is difficult to understand at the best of times. It’s not how we typically view the world. It’s also not something that can be put into practice today. It’s a way of life that’s cultivated over time.
There are two main components to tranquility that you must hold in your mind simultaneously to put it into practice.
