Day 3: Practicing detachment from things we cannot control
“There are things which are within our power, and there are things which are beyond our power.” These are the opening words of The Handbook by the Stoic philosopher Epictetus. He continues, “Within our power are opinion, aim, desire, aversion, and, in one word, whatever affairs are our own. Beyond our power are body, property, reputation, office, and, in one word, whatever are not properly our own affairs.”
Follow this simple 4-step guide, focusing only on what you truly control. With daily practice, you will deepen your connection to God, cultivate a stronger character, and find relief from stress.
1. Note what kinds of things are in your power: opinion, aim or intention, what you avoid, what you move towards. Note what kinds of things are not truly in your power: everything else, including your body, your property, your reputation, as well as the behaviors and opinions of other people.
2. Recall anything you may be anxious about, angry about, feel guilty about, or are otherwise troubled by, and determine whether those worries belong to the class of things within your power or to the class of things that are beyond your power.
3. If they are within your power, commit to taking corrective action. If they are beyond your power, release them and return your focus to those things within your power.
4. When you accept the impermanence of external things, what quiet strength emerges within?
“There are things which are within our power, and there are things which are beyond our power.” These are the opening words of The Handbook by the Stoic philosopher Epictetus. He continues, “Within our power are opinion, aim, desire, aversion, and, in one word, whatever affairs are our own. Beyond our power are body, property, reputation, office, and, in one word, whatever are not properly our own affairs.”
Follow this simple 4-step guide, focusing only on what you truly control. With daily practice, you will deepen your connection to God, cultivate a stronger character, and find relief from stress.
1. Note what kinds of things are in your power: opinion, aim or intention, what you avoid, what you move towards. Note what kinds of things are not truly in your power: everything else, including your body, your property, your reputation, as well as the behaviors and opinions of other people.
2. Recall anything you may be anxious about, angry about, feel guilty about, or are otherwise troubled by, and determine whether those worries belong to the class of things within your power or to the class of things that are beyond your power.
3. If they are within your power, commit to taking corrective action. If they are beyond your power, release them and return your focus to those things within your power.
4. When you accept the impermanence of external things, what quiet strength emerges within?
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Day 3 Practicing detachment from things we cannot control.pdf
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A PDF edition of this meditation is attached and can be printed.
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Day 4: Release perfectionistic expectations
“At each and every thing one man is better and another worse; no man alive is skilled in all things.” Theognis, Elegies 901–902
Take time to ask yourself: What perfectionistic demands do I place on myself? Do I burden myself with unrealistic expectations to excel in everything?
Now redirect your awareness to your strengths. Make a list of them and explore how you can better use them in your life.
“At each and every thing one man is better and another worse; no man alive is skilled in all things.” Theognis, Elegies 901–902
Take time to ask yourself: What perfectionistic demands do I place on myself? Do I burden myself with unrealistic expectations to excel in everything?
Now redirect your awareness to your strengths. Make a list of them and explore how you can better use them in your life.
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Day 4 Release perfectionistic expectations.pdf
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A PDF edition of this meditation is attached and can be printed.
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Day 5: Reflecting on your life journey
In The Golden Verses of the Pythagoreans, a technique for self-examination is outlined, traditionally practiced every night. This ancient practice fosters self-awareness and moral growth and, if practiced diligently, leads to divinization. The philosopher Seneca says, “I scan the whole of my day and retrace all my deeds and words. I conceal nothing from myself, I omit nothing.” Ordinarily, this meditation is for daily use, but we suggest taking time to reflect on your past year, the good and the bad.
The philosopher Hierocles summarizes the first half of the Golden Verses into 15 “laws” or “standards” which he says are given to us by God. We list the 15 laws below.
There are two types of misdeed: doing what we should not do (transgression), and not doing what we should do (neglect). For example, the first law is to honor divinities. We should pray but we should not blaspheme. If we fail to pray, that is neglect. If we blaspheme, that is a transgression. Similarly, the second law is to honor our parents and relatives. We should take care of our parents, but we should not abuse our parents. If we fail to take care of our parents, that is neglect. If we abuse our parents (verbally or physically), that is a transgression.
What to do: Examine yourself and determine whether you met these standards in your life. When you have, rejoice, but when you haven't, reprimand yourself.
The 15 laws given to us by the Pythagoreans:
1. Honor divinities.
2. Give parents and relatives the highest esteem.
3. Welcome and befriend good men.
4. Overcome lusts and appetites.
5. Oversee yourself and turn away from evils.
6. Engage in justice.
7. Know that your life and possessions are easily destroyed.
8. Accept your lot in life as assigned to you by divine judgement.
9. Use prudent thought that is pleasing to God and change your thinking for the better.
10. Practice the love of speaking, using real arguments.
11. Be immune to deception and slavishness in order to preserve virtue.
12. Use good counsel before you act so that you will not regret your actions.
13. Be pure of conceit.
14. Pursue a life informed by knowledge.
15. Care for your body, and be neat and tidy in your appearance and home.
In The Golden Verses of the Pythagoreans, a technique for self-examination is outlined, traditionally practiced every night. This ancient practice fosters self-awareness and moral growth and, if practiced diligently, leads to divinization. The philosopher Seneca says, “I scan the whole of my day and retrace all my deeds and words. I conceal nothing from myself, I omit nothing.” Ordinarily, this meditation is for daily use, but we suggest taking time to reflect on your past year, the good and the bad.
The philosopher Hierocles summarizes the first half of the Golden Verses into 15 “laws” or “standards” which he says are given to us by God. We list the 15 laws below.
There are two types of misdeed: doing what we should not do (transgression), and not doing what we should do (neglect). For example, the first law is to honor divinities. We should pray but we should not blaspheme. If we fail to pray, that is neglect. If we blaspheme, that is a transgression. Similarly, the second law is to honor our parents and relatives. We should take care of our parents, but we should not abuse our parents. If we fail to take care of our parents, that is neglect. If we abuse our parents (verbally or physically), that is a transgression.
What to do: Examine yourself and determine whether you met these standards in your life. When you have, rejoice, but when you haven't, reprimand yourself.
The 15 laws given to us by the Pythagoreans:
1. Honor divinities.
2. Give parents and relatives the highest esteem.
3. Welcome and befriend good men.
4. Overcome lusts and appetites.
5. Oversee yourself and turn away from evils.
6. Engage in justice.
7. Know that your life and possessions are easily destroyed.
8. Accept your lot in life as assigned to you by divine judgement.
9. Use prudent thought that is pleasing to God and change your thinking for the better.
10. Practice the love of speaking, using real arguments.
11. Be immune to deception and slavishness in order to preserve virtue.
12. Use good counsel before you act so that you will not regret your actions.
13. Be pure of conceit.
14. Pursue a life informed by knowledge.
15. Care for your body, and be neat and tidy in your appearance and home.
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Day 5 Reflecting on your life journey.pdf
69 KB
A PDF edition of this meditation is attached and can be printed.
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15 Pythagorean Laws Checkpoint. Let's see how last year went on the Platonic path. If you count 1 point for each law that you accomplished, how well did you do?
Anonymous Poll
17%
1-5
7%
6-8
20%
9-12
17%
13-15
40%
Show me the results.
Day 6: Harmony of the Soul
“As we live through the soul, it must be said that by the virtue of this we live well; just as, since we see through the eyes, it is by the virtue of these that we see well.” Iamblichus, Exhortation to Philosophy Chapter 2 gnômê 1
Reflect on the state of virtue in your life and see if you can improve it.
Wisdom: Do I direct all of my thoughts and actions by the standard of reason, wishing for nothing but what is right?
Courage: When difficulties arise, does my inner spirit rise steadfastly to support reason's guidance, facing fear with unwavering nobility?
Temperance: Are my desires in balance, not ruling over my better judgment?
Justice: Does my reason wisely lead, my spirit courageously ally, and my desires obediently follow?
“As we live through the soul, it must be said that by the virtue of this we live well; just as, since we see through the eyes, it is by the virtue of these that we see well.” Iamblichus, Exhortation to Philosophy Chapter 2 gnômê 1
Reflect on the state of virtue in your life and see if you can improve it.
Wisdom: Do I direct all of my thoughts and actions by the standard of reason, wishing for nothing but what is right?
Courage: When difficulties arise, does my inner spirit rise steadfastly to support reason's guidance, facing fear with unwavering nobility?
Temperance: Are my desires in balance, not ruling over my better judgment?
Justice: Does my reason wisely lead, my spirit courageously ally, and my desires obediently follow?
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Day 6 Harmony of the Soul.pdf
53.7 KB
A PDF edition of this meditation is attached and can be printed.
Day 7: The Temple of the Soul
“God has no place on the earth more suitable to his nature than a pure and holy soul.” The Pythagorean Sentences of Demophilus 44
The divine essence finds its most congenial earthly abode not in temples, rituals, or material forms, but within a soul purified of passions and sanctified through virtue.
Human spiritual purification enables direct union with the divine. God dwells most fittingly where the inner being mirrors divine purity and holiness. Cleansing the soul invites transcendent presence amid mortal existence.
If God finds no better dwelling than a sanctified soul, what does this imply about the purpose of human spiritual striving?
“God has no place on the earth more suitable to his nature than a pure and holy soul.” The Pythagorean Sentences of Demophilus 44
The divine essence finds its most congenial earthly abode not in temples, rituals, or material forms, but within a soul purified of passions and sanctified through virtue.
Human spiritual purification enables direct union with the divine. God dwells most fittingly where the inner being mirrors divine purity and holiness. Cleansing the soul invites transcendent presence amid mortal existence.
If God finds no better dwelling than a sanctified soul, what does this imply about the purpose of human spiritual striving?
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Day 7 The Temple of the Soul.pdf
53.7 KB
A PDF edition of this meditation is attached and can be printed.
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"We can attain likeness to God, first of all, if we are endowed with a suitable nature, then if we develop proper habits, way of life, and good practice according to law, and, most importantly, if we use reason, and education, and the correct philosophical tradition, in such a way as to distance ourselves from the great majority of human concerns, and always to be in close contact with intelligible reality." Alcinous, The Handbook of Platonism 28
We want to say thank you to all participants who joined us in this 7-day Platonic meditation journey. We sincerely hope it has deepened your connection to the divine and provided meaningful inspiration and profound insights to enrich and elevate your life.
For those who have only recently discovered this meditation program, you are welcome to embark on it at your convenience, allowing you to fully engage with the experience and discover its deeper transformative value. We wish you the very best on your journey.
We want to say thank you to all participants who joined us in this 7-day Platonic meditation journey. We sincerely hope it has deepened your connection to the divine and provided meaningful inspiration and profound insights to enrich and elevate your life.
For those who have only recently discovered this meditation program, you are welcome to embark on it at your convenience, allowing you to fully engage with the experience and discover its deeper transformative value. We wish you the very best on your journey.
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How might we best approach the profound mystery of the divine?
God is immaterial and invisible. We cannot reach Him with our senses, but He is everywhere, and everything depends on Him. He is “that which is beyond all things and to which all things aspire.” The Elements of Theology 113
God is immaterial and invisible. We cannot reach Him with our senses, but He is everywhere, and everything depends on Him. He is “that which is beyond all things and to which all things aspire.” The Elements of Theology 113
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