Relinquishing Control Does Not Equal Surrendering Efforts
In the realm of ancient philosophy, Stoicism stands out as a beacon of wisdom and resilience. At its core, Stoicism places great emphasis on the practice of letting go, a concept central to the philosophy and exemplified in the lives of its key figures, including Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Zeno.
Letting go, or detachment (apatheia), is a state of inner tranquility achieved by releasing attachment to external events, outcomes, and things beyond one's control. For Stoics, this practice is key to attaining emotional resilience, inner freedom, and peace.
Control and acceptance are at the heart of Stoicism. While we cannot govern external events, we can govern our responses. Letting go means accepting the unpredictable nature of life without becoming disturbed or anxious about it, leading to emotional resilience and peace.
By releasing attachment and expectation, Stoics aim to achieve inner freedom—freedom from suffering caused by desires and fears concerning external matters. Letting go is not suppression but rather mastery over one’s emotions, allowing a calm, purposeful engagement with life regardless of external circumstances.
Furthermore, by letting go of external outcomes, the Stoic can focus on living virtuously, which is the only true good in life according to Stoic ethics.
The lives of key Stoics serve as powerful illustrations of this practice. Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor facing constant challenges and loss, regularly reflected in his Meditations on the importance of accepting fate and impermanence. He emphasized “letting it be” and practicing calm endurance—releasing attachment to what he could not change while fulfilling his duties with integrity.
Epictetus, born a slave, taught that it is not what happens to us, but how we react that matters most. His famous maxim, “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters,” highlights the importance of letting go of external events and focusing on one’s own reasoned response.
Zeno, founder of Stoicism, introduced the concept of living in accordance with nature and reason, which includes understanding what is in our power and what is not, thus promoting the practice of letting go of desires for things beyond our control.
In essence, letting go in Stoicism is a foundational practice for achieving mental resilience, emotional stability, and inner peace. Through this practice, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Zeno demonstrated that true freedom and happiness arise not from external circumstances, but from the disciplined mastery of one’s own mind and attitudes.
The lives of Stoics, such as Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Zeno, serve as examples of resilience and perseverance. They did not give up, even in the face of personal loss and public criticism. The philosophy of Stoicism stresses that letting go is not synonymous with quitting or weakness. Instead, it is a sign of strength, a testament to one's ability to rise above adversity and tragedy, and to lead effectively.
[1] Irvine, Andrew. The Stoics: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2008. [2] Long, A. A., and D. N. Sedley. The Hellenistic Philosophers. 2 vols. Cambridge University Press, 1987. [3] Inwood, Brad. Ethics and Human Action in Early Stoicism. Cambridge University Press, 1985. [4] Gill, C. A.J. The Structures of Stoicism. Oxford University Press, 2006. [5] Aurelius, Marcus. Meditations. Translated by Gregory Hays. Penguin Classics, 2002. [6] Epictetus. The Enchiridion and Selected Letters. Translated by W. A. Oldfather. Loeb Classical Library, 1925.
Stoics advocate for inner tranquility by practicing detachment in their relationships, lifestyle, and education-and-self-development endeavors. This detachment, or letting go, encourages personal-growth by focusing on one's reasoned response to external events, rather than allowing emotional distress caused by desires and fears.
By mastering their emotions through the practice of letting go, Stoics aim for inner freedom and peace, enabling them to focus on living virtuously and attaining true happiness, as demonstrated by key figures like Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Zeno.
