SEBASTIAN ENGSTRÖM
TO LIVE FOR
SOMETHING HIGHER
THAN YOURSELF
THE ANCIENT GREEKS VALUED
ATHLETIC & INTELLECTUAL
ABILITY EQUALLY
A good citizen was virtuous in mind and in body; training was a civic duty, rather than a lifestyle choice.
The concept of “mind, body and soul” was not just a slogan, it was a way of life!
THE FOUR STOIC VIRTUES
1
COURAGE
ANDREIA
DO THE RIGHT THING
Regardless of the circumstances
2
DISCIPLINE
SOPHRON
DO THE HARD THING
Even when you don't feel like it
3
WISDOM
PHRONESIS
BE AWARE AND PRESENT
Even when there are distractions
4
JUSTICE
DIKAIOS
BE MORALLY STRONG
Stand for something or fall for anything
SAFINA RHETRA A-Z
The Spartans lived by a set of virtues a.k.a. "Rhetra".
A Andreía <> Courage
B Briaros <> Strength
C Charis <> Forgiveness
D Dikaios <> Justice
E Eros <> Love
F Filía <> Friendship
G Gnosis <> Awareness
H Hexis <> Habit
I Ikaros <> Humility
H Horoi <> Boundaries
I Iaso <> Rest
J Jason <> Leadership
K Kalos Kagathos <> Gentleman
L Logos <> Reasoning
N Nootropía <> Mindset
M Melete <> Meditate
O Oikos <> Family
P Phronesis <> Wisdom
R Rheos <> Flow
S Sophron <> Discipline
T Timḗ <> Honor
U Ulaios <> Nature
X Xeros <> Athlete's Diet
Y Ypsilon <> Simple & Pure
Z Zēlos <> Dedication
*Q, V, W does not exist in the ancient greek language, and have therefore been excluded.
MY STOIC JOURNEY
I constantly keep going back to focusing on myself, which always leads me into the greatest misery and loss of direction in life. We are led to believe that the more we acquire and the more we accomplish, the happier we get. I've found the complete opposite, if not done the right way. Like the wise rapper Biggie said "Mo money mo problems".
If you don't live by certain principles and virtues in your life, the wind can blow you in any direction; your friend, social media, the stock market, the news, your family, can all say something, and all of the sudden you have shifted your direction, your mood, your mindset, ever so slightly. I have way too often in life times found myself trapped and controlled by outside circumstances, people and events. I've spiraled, made excuses and pointed fingers.
The very goal of Stoicism is to know who you are and what you stand for so well that you are unaffected by events, people and circumstances. You choose your life and state, no one else. Not the news, not your spouse, not your parents, not your boss. You, and only you. This starts with radical ownership of your own actions and thoughts. No more pointing the finger. If you want to change your life, no one else can do it for you, only you.
My mind, in hindsight, was always my greatest weakness. As many others, I never trained my mind. If I did, who knows how far I would have made it in athletics. Maybe fulfilled my childhood dream and gone pro?
A decade and a half of deep personal development work, researching psychology, the brain, human behavior, attending masterminds and workshops, and earning two degrees in leadership, I've specialized in understanding the layers of high performance, human behavior, mindset, motivation and drive. I've truly immersed myself in inner mastery.
The lessons I've learned were not only about mental fortitude, but also how to open your heart, love unconditionally, forgive and how to connect spiritually, to something greater than myself. These guiding principles have now been instilled into the "Safina Rhetra A-Z" as well as my interpretation of the four Stoic Virtues.
ACTION OVER TALKING
"Talk no more about what a good man is, be one."
-Marcus Aurelius
THE ARCHETYPES
MIND
Stoic
You are dedicated to your virtues, wisdom, the development of your character and intellect.
Learning is essential, humility is crucial. You lead by action, you stay in a students mindset, as you honor the path of dedication to doing the next right thing.
The highest state of a Stoic is the Sage <> “Sophos". You know yourself and your truth so well that you are unaffected by external events, people and circumstances.
SOUL
Mystic
Explore what the eye can’t see. Become aware, get still, tune in with your instincts, intuition and inner knowing.
Develop the skill and learn how to surrender to something higher than yourself. Clarity will appear in the form of answers, directions, people and things.
The highest state of the Mystic is connection with your Spirit | Daimon. Believed in ancient Greece to be your inner truth, knowing, and soul. A whisper and guide in your life. Some call it gut feeling, others intuition, some god.
BODY
Spartan
As the Spartans did, train, discipline, and dedicate yourself, like you are on mission to protect the lives of the one you love.
Live for something higher than yourself and your own selfish needs. Caring for you body includes an Athlete's diet, rest, sleep, supplementation etc.
As the highest state of a Spartan is the the Honorable, the Gentleman | Kalos Kagathos. You act with honor, discipline, grace, generosity, confidence, humility and elegance. You are a leader and a role model, you help, protect and give back to others.