Philosophy

Stoicism

"You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." -- Marcus Aurelius

"We suffer more often in imagination than in reality." -- Seneca

"Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them." -- Epictetus

Virtues

  • Wisdom

    • Good sense

    • Good calculation

    • Quick wit

    • Discretion

    • Resourcefulness

  • Courage

    • Endurance

    • Confidence

    • High-mindedness

    • Cheerfulness

    • Industriousness

  • Justice

    • Mindfulness

    • Honesty

    • Equity

    • Fair dealing

  • Moderation

    • Discipline

    • Seemliness

    • Modesty

    • Self-control

Vices

  • Foolishness

    • Imprudence

    • Bad calculation

    • Slow wit

    • Incompetence

  • Cowardice

    • Lethargy

    • Self-doubt

    • Lack of principles

    • Unhappiness

    • Laziness

  • Injustice

    • Impiety

    • Dishonesty

    • Imbalance

    • Unfairness

  • Intemperance

    • Indiscipline

    • Disagreeableness

    • Boastfulness

    • Lack of self-control

Zen

“When you realize nothing is lacking, the whole world belongs to you.” -- Lao Tzu

“When thoughts arise, then do all things arise. When thoughts vanish, then do all things vanish.” -- Huang Po

“If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” -- Lao Tzu

Four Noble Truths

  1. Suffering exists

  2. Suffering has a cause

    • Desire

      • Pleasure

      • Material things

      • Immortality

    • Ignorance

      • Not seeing the world as it is

      • Lack of mental concentration

      • Lack of insight

  3. Suffering has an end

    • Spiritual enlightenment

  4. There is a path that leads to the end of suffering.

Noble Eight-fold Path

  1. Right Understanding

  2. Right Thought

  3. Right Speech

  4. Right Action

  5. Right Livelihood

  6. Right Effort

  7. Right Mindfulness

  8. Right Concentration

Karma

  • Good

    1. Absence of bad actions

    2. Generosity

    3. Righteousness

    4. Meditation

  • Order of precedence

    1. Frequency

    2. Intentionality

    3. Lack of regret

    4. Taken toward extraordinary person

    5. Repayment of past kindness 

  • Neutral

    1. Breathing

    2. Eating

    3. Sleeping