4 Ways Stoic Philosophy Can Help When You Find Out You Have Cancer.

When I first learnt about the Stoics,

I was amazed that men writing more than 2,000 years ago had such great advice for me, a woman living in the 21st Century. The words of Epictetus especially but also Marcus Aurelius and Seneca bring so much relief. Just referring to their most famous phrases eases my distress. As I read their words for the first time, a powerful force welled within and a new pathway rose to meet me.

I’ve sought advice from many different teachers on the journey with cancer, but it was the Stoics that set me on a positive track by encouraging me to get to know my own mind.

4 Ways Stoic Philosophy May Help You.

Turning Inwards
When we experience distress, it’s common to seek for answers outside of ourselves. I’ll be OK when I get a clear scan result or the chemo is over. If only my partner were more supportive, we may lament. With this approach however, we are giving away our power and neglecting the vast resource of our mind. Stoicism encouraged me to turn my attention to what was more within my control - my thoughts, my beliefs, my actions.
I discovered that my thoughts about the situation were responsible for my pain, rather than the situation itself.

“It isn’t pain or death that is to be dreaded but the FEAR of pain or death.”

— Seneca

Seneca’s teaching here was a “wow’ moment for me. It’s not death that is scary but our thoughts about death.

Of course there is a lot of cultural conditioning on death but we have free will. And the ability to chose our beliefs about death.

2. Identifying Limiting Beliefs.

In turning my attention to my thoughts, it became easier to

identify which beliefs and values were causing pain. My limiting beliefs became clear. In accepting

that it isn’t an event that causes pain, but our perception of that event, I saw the value in

observing my thoughts more closely. This helped me to identify unloving thoughts and the

punishing beliefs behind them.

3. Moving On From Blame

It’s easy to blame ourselves or others when something undesirable happens. It’s natural to seek understanding, but blame isn’t helpful or conducive to emotional healing. The best answer is that we don’t know what causes cancer. The Stoics encouraged me to look forward, not backward. ‘We are not responsible for the challenges that befall us, only for our response to those challenges.’

4. A Path Out Of Chaos

When you are first hit with a crisis that may end your life, the world collapses around you. Everything you have been working towards and worrying about disappears. This is frightening in itself. All the thoughts of who we thought we were may be called into question. We worry about our loved ones.

You may spend time in despair, denial, shame, guilt or anger. Spend us much time there as you need to.

Eventually, you may be looking for a way out. The Stoic principles can help you maintain emotional balance when you face uncertainty.

“Do not wish that every situation goes your way, but wish that you can go with every situation.”

— Epictetus

I want to sing and cry tears of joy as I read that quote :)

I needed to learn to focus on what I could control. I couldn’t change the situation, but I could make internal changes to help me go with the situation. I repeat this phrase whenever I feel fear rising and the need to make something other than it is.

“Do not wish that every situation goes your way, but wish that you can go with every situation.”

We can change our minds. We can change our beliefs. We can change our values. We can change our thoughts. We can change our actions.

This gave me a light to follow out of the darkness.

What Next?

What thoughts, beliefs and values could you change to bring greater peace of mind?
Do you own research into Stoicism. Check out this Resources Article.