The faculty of desire purports to aim at securing what you want, while a version purports to shield you from what you don’t. If you fail in your desire, you are unfortunate, if you experience what you would rather avoid you are unhappy. So direct aversion only towards things that are under your control and alien to your nature, and you will not fall victim to any of the things that you dislike. But if your resentment is directed at illness, death or poverty, you are headed for disappointment.
Enchiridion 2.1
Today’s meditation
The underlying Stoic issue here is the management of desire and aversion. As Epictetus notes, "The faculty of desire purports to aim at securing what you want, while a version purports to shield you from what you don’t" (Enchiridion 2.1). This reveals that our desires and aversions can often lead to feelings of unhappiness and misfortune when we fail to attain what we want or encounter what we dislike.
The key insight from this passage is that we should "direct aversion only towards things that are under your control and alien to your nature" (Enchiridion 2.1). This means that we should focus on avoiding things that are within our power to control and that go against our values and character. However, when it comes to things outside of our control, such as illness, death, or poverty, we should not direct our aversion towards them, as this will only lead to disappointment.
To apply this insight today, someone could reflect on their current desires and aversions. Are there things that they are desiring or trying to avoid that are outside of their control? Are there areas where they are directing their aversion towards things that are not aligned with their values or nature? By recognizing these patterns, they can begin to shift their focus towards what is within their control and let go of unnecessary desires and aversions.
For example, instead of directing aversion towards a potentially stressful meeting at work, they could focus on preparing for the meeting and maintaining a calm demeanor, which is within their control. By doing so, they can cultivate a sense of inner strength and resilience, and live more in accordance with their values and nature. As Epictetus advises, by directing our aversion wisely, we can avoid falling victim to things that we dislike and live a more peaceful and virtuous life.
What is one thing that you are currently trying to avoid or attain that may be outside of your control, and how might you reframe your approach to it in light of this Stoic insight?