The little book by Epictetus called Enchiridion or “manual” begins with a simple (but not easy) lesson known today as the dichotomy of control.
What do we actually control in life? According to Epictetus,
Some things are within our power, and some things are beyond our power. Within our power are opinion, aim, desire, aversion, and, in a word, whatever affairs are our own. Beyond our power are body, property, reputation, office, and, in a word, whatever are not properly our own affairs.
It’s a straightforward practice — years of training are not needed to understand it fully. Yet it is challenging to put into practice. In my interview with William B. Irvine (author of The Stoic Challenge), he revealed this point: “If desire were an Olympic sport, we would all make the team.”
One of the keys to implementing the dichotomy of control requires us to recognize and overcome the desire to control the things that are outside of our control. Thankfully, we can use many other practices with the dichotomy of control.
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