The Three Areas Of Training

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Welcome to "Navigate The Day", a podcast where we explore the ancient philosophy of Stoicism and how it can be applied to our daily lives. Today, we'll be discussing the three areas of training as outlined by Epictetus in his Discourses.

First, we have the area of desires and aversions, which is all about making sure that we never miss the mark in our desires and avoid falling into things that repel us. Next, we have the area of impulses to act and not to act, and more broadly, duty. This is about making sure that we act deliberately for good reasons, and not carelessly. Finally, there's the area of freedom from deception and composure, which includes the whole area of judgment, and the assent our mind gives to its perceptions.

Personally, I've been studying Stoicism for a while now, and it's been a really productive journey so far. I've realized that I need to take a step back and figure out what my true interests and desires are. I've been so focused on improving all aspects of my life, mainly finances and career, that I haven't had much time to explore my hobbies or form new relationships.

One area that I've been working on is impulsive behaviors. I quit drinking about two years ago, and it's been a game changer for me. It's brought new routines to my life and has helped me grow a lot. Now, I wake up at 4:15 A.M and start my day with exercise, which helps me get my body ready for the day. I also take time to read over a passage and journal prompt for the day, which helps me reflect on my thoughts and emotions.

I also make sure to read a lot, mostly philosophy, biographies, self-help, business, and finance books. I find a lot of pleasure in learning, and I believe that reading on a variety of subjects helps me keep an open mind. However, I know that I need to broaden my subject matter to keep growing.

One area that I'm still working on is defining what a good desire is, and focusing more of my attention on it. I know that I have the power within to resist negative influences and maintain control over my thoughts and actions. This is something that Epictetus talks about in his passage, and it's something that I need to keep in mind. Sometimes, my internal thoughts can be misleading, and I need to remember that it's ultimately my choice how I react to everything outside of my control.

Overall, I believe that continuing this journaling practice and Stoic training with an open mind is the best thing I can do for myself right now. It's becoming a habit, and it's inspiring me to take on other projects and take more reasonable risks in the near future. I hope that this episode has been helpful, and I'll see you next time on "Navigate The Day".



Mediations and Prompts influenced from https://dailystoic.com/books/

Please if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work

Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!

Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books

Please if you enjoy this content checkout Ryan's work