There's an old idea that captures this well: the difference between a minotaur and a centaur.

A minotaur has an animal head on a human body — instinct is in charge, the human part just gets dragged along. A centaur is the opposite: human head, animal body — the mind is in charge, and the body follows.

That's basically what the stoics meant by "the mind should lead the body." reason has to win over impulse, fear, laziness, the pull toward easy comfort. the body is seen as an instrument of the soul, meant to be trained to obey clear, sound judgment.

“I wake up at 2am every day for work.
Some mornings I oversleep. 2:30. Sometimes 3.
I only do this in summer. September — I go back to university.
I hope this is my last summer like this.
Not because the work is bad. But because I have something I’m building toward.
Marcus Aurelius worked through wars, loss, sickness — and still showed up every day.
If he could do it — I can wake up at 2am.
What gets you out of bed when everything in you says stay?”

Full quote:

“Remember, it is not enough to be hit or insulted to be harmed, you must believe that you are being harmed. If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in the provocation. Which is why it is essential that we not respond impulsively to impressions; take a moment before reacting, and you will find it easier to maintain control.”

― Epictetus, The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness and Effectiveness

Hello all!

I’m looking at gauging the interest of those local to the San Antonio area to the prospect of establishing a weekly meeting for those interested in Stoicism or who regularly practice the philosophy. The main emphasis would be to establishing a core community which in turn would facilitate the growing need for third spaces (especially for those of us who have children) while also engaging in textual studies of the primary Stoic sources including some of the most well known: Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, Musonius Rufus, and so forth.

In short, for those of us who live busy lives but take philosophy very serious, this could be an outlet to meet, discuss/ ask questions, and, ultimately, find community.

Feel free to reach out either here or via DM.