Dear Marcus,
*
(some days have passed) *
I
found a group of philosophers discussing Stoic ideals, and the
question was asked whether or not, as a stoic, it was encouraged to
seek help when facing mental health issues. The consensus was an
overwhelming yes, and the following passage was quoted :
Book
7
Section
7
(George
Long Translation)
Be not ashamed
to be helped; for it is thy business to do thy duty like a soldier in
the assault on a town. How then, if being lame thou canst not mount
up on the battlements alone, but with the help of another it is
possible?This brings up
something that I have thought about in relation to ancient texts.
Can advice relating to physical combat and war be transferred to
peaceful conflicts, or to the inner struggles we face when relating
to our own minds? I like to think that it can apply, and that
concepts like struggle, enemy, death and wounding are as much a part
of a psychological narrative as they are physical. I have been
meaning to write to Sun Tzu about his book 'The Art of War' in order
to discuss this very idea.
A
letter for another day.
*
From:
Meditations
Book
11, Section 34
(Gregory
Hays translation)
As you kiss
your son good night, says Epictetus, whisper to yourself, “He may
be dead in the morning.”
Don't tempt
fate, you say.
By talking
about a natural event? Is fate tempted when we speak of grain being
reaped?
I
smiled when I found this quote. I am feeling much better today than
I was when I began this letter to you. I spent this evening playing
games and reading books with my son. There is no more consoling
philosophy than play, and my son is the master teacher.
As
I kissed him goodnight he told me excitedly of his plans for the next
day.
Thank
you Marcus, even if sometimes your advice is difficult, sometimes
misleading, sometimes confusing, your book has a permanent place on
my bedside table.
With
gratitude and respect.
Morgan.
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