Posts by Kalosyni

A weekly meeting is great idea. Yet I would suggest waiting to start it till the second week in January.

I can see how a weekly event might be better geared toward "novices" rather than for "sages"... I myself would probably fall into the middle area of "devotee" (neither novice nor sage) but would greatly benefit from weekly meetings.

The 20th could be always in honor of sages and contain more advanced material, which novices and devotees could learn from, but they might take more of a "listen and learn" while the sages discuss more complex philosophy. Yet perhaps the 20th would be only for devotees and sages, and novices would be referred to join the weekly meeting. But maybe this labeling is complicating things...just throwing out some ideas. After all, how does one determine if someone is a devotee? or a sage?

Happy Holidays everyone!

Here is a short YouTube video which evokes a feeling of ancient times and ancient festivals with music and dance:

I just listened to this podcast. Some thoughts...

If you feel pain in your body from an illness...and not knowing what it is, because it is undiagnosed...and in addition if you fear death greatly, then the mental fear will make the pain much worse.

When you feel sexual pleasure in your body, but if you feel ashamed about it, the pleasure will be muted if you fear that God will punish you for it.

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20 Minutes

That’s the amount of time you should spend outside in nature, like a neighborhood park, three times a week. Hopman led a new study that concluded that something as painless as a 20-minute stroll through a city botanical garden can boost cognition and memory as well as improve feelings of well-being. “But,” she said, “we found that people who used their cell phone on the walk saw none of those benefits.”

Other research discovered that 20 minutes outside three times a week is the dose of nature that had the greatest effect on reducing an urban dweller’s levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Excerpt from the above article

Welcome ayraj and thanks for sharing!

Quote from ayraj

I'm also interested in any rituals or "best practices" anyone has for making Epicureanism a part of everyday life

My own practice is when I wake up (or in the early part of the morning) I think about what I will do that day to bring in joyful, pleasant experiences...actions or activities that bring cheer, pleasure, and well-being.

Also, I see my study of Epicureanism as an enjoyable practice. I feel that there are many layers to understanding the philosophy, and it takes time for it to develop.

I am sure others might have more to say about personal rituals.

I listened to this podcast last night. In response to the short discussion on torture:

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Torture is one of the most extreme forms of human violence, resulting in both physical and psychological consequences. It has been used for thousands of years and it is still occurring throughout much of the world. The right to freedom from torture is a universally recognized human right and one of the foundations of international law. Torture, as well as cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, is banned in all times and cannot be justified.

The most precise definition of torture is outlined in the UN Convention Against Torture, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), which defines it as “Any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.”

5 Reasons Why Torture Does Not Work and Can Never Be Justified

Torture is one of the most extreme forms of human violence, resulting in both physical and psychological consequences. It has been used for thousands of years…

www.humanrightscareers.com

In practice of PD3 and PD8...A blog post for how to dance with excessive sugar cravings...excerpt:

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I have tried at times to completely eliminate sugar from my diet. This may work for some people, but doesn't work for me. (Maybe my brain chemistry is permanently wired to enjoy sugar - life is just not very fun without it). It is important to realize that there is a bodily limit to the enjoyment of sugar that can be found, but just as with alcohol each person must discover this limit for themselves. This limit is what I call the "sugar yuck factor", when sugar no longer feels pleasureable. This requires one to be especially sensitive to the feelings which arise within the body while eating more sugary treats than one "should". (This excessive feeling can be felt when eating too much homemade cookie icing). This is a great way to "reset" the sugar cravings, but it must also be combined with choosing to buy healthier foods and avoiding bringing home large quantities of sugary treats. One focuses the mind on learning to desire foods which are healthy and good for the body, and which increase feelings of vigor and vitality. I still choose to eat sweet treats on occasion, but I do so in moderation. Also keeping in mind, if one eats a treat every day it isn't as pleasureable as spacing out the treats over time. It's up to every individual to determine their own sugar limit, and to do so with respect for maintaining the pleasureable feeling of health of the body.

https://epicureanphilosophyblog.blogspot.com/2021/12/in-def…joy-it.html?m=1

In Defense of Desire and How to Enjoy It

First I should say a bit about what I came out of before studying Epicureanism. For ten years I studied Buddhism and I attended a Zen Budd...

epicureanphilosophyblog.blogspot.com

Feeling very "Epicurean"...Here are some pictures of the gingerbread house I made.

Quote from Don

I don't find "temperance" in Epicurus's writings. Is it mentioned anywhere other than by "Torquatus"?

It is implied by this:

"And Diocles, in the third book of his Overview, says that they all lived in the most simple and economical manner; "They were content," says he, "with a small cup of light wine, and all the rest of their drink was water." -- Diogenes Laertius : Life of Epicurus

Welcome!

I also came out of Buddhism. There are a few things that I continue to hold onto from my past Buddhist practices, and other things that I've let go.

Good luck in your Epicurean studies!

I don't remember that part (and it doesn't look like I can fast forward to that point).

Possibly addictions are used to deal with the anxiety and stress that arises from chasing after vain and unnecessary desires. But most of "mainstream" modern life is an un-ending parade of the vain and unnecessary.

These Principle Doctrines should be helpful with regard to hedonic calculus:

I think it is important to seek enjoyment from a wide assortment of activities and people, so that you don't become dependent on any one thing or any one person. Happiness doesn't come from any one thing, but from many things.

I listened to half of "Dopamine Nation". When asked if addictions can ever be beneficial, she says she uses a different label, such a passion. She also says that you know something is an addiction if the rest of the world turns pale in comparison, and you have too narrow of a focus on one behavior. It becomes maladaptive and you have to increase your activity more and more in order to get the same feelings of pleasure.

Quote from Cassius

These guys are fooling no one but themselves if they think that there is an ideal of "moderation" or "ideal quantity" that has some absolute value separate from circumstances that can be referenced by referring to "moderation" in and of itself. Instead, what there is in place of that is always a quantity that makes sense based on context, which varies by fact. In this case, the proper quantity varies with things like the weight of the drinker, their built-up tolerance to alcohol, and other aspects of bodily chemistry that varies by individual.

Yes, I agree with you. There isn't a set quantity that can be applied to everyone.

I thought the quote from the play was kind of funny. But then thought about it after posting it...how odd that the third bowl leads to sleep, but the fourth one to violence. Seems a little extreme. Now most people in modern times know how to hold their public drinking in check, since it's both unsafe and against the law to drive drunk.

I think moderation is an important skill, but I don't think of it as a virtue. I think of it as a helpful tool. It's simply an internal knowing, an internal wisdom, that you learn with trial and error...for what feels best inside your own body. Every body has to learn it for themselves, by being fully present to what feels good vs. what feels bad. So over time paying attention and moving toward what feels good.

Yes wine has certain romantic and aesthetic aspect. I used to drink more wine back when I was married. We would have Cabernet wine with dinner. But 50 percent of the time it would give me a headache. I cut back on portion size and sometimes had only 2 oz. and that worked better for me. Since living single and being such a lightweight, I cut way back on wine. Rarely bring any home. In summertime I've mixed a rose' with sparkling mineral water and add a touch of cherry or other fruit juice.

Beer has lower percentage of alcohol and rarely gives me a headache (I avoid IPA which causes headache). And lately beer just seems to taste better to me. There must be something genetic about my not metabolizing alcohol very well, and so I've learned to enjoy it by drinking smaller quantities. I've even tried adding sparkling mineral water to certain beers, but still experimenting with which kind and what else to add.

Listened to this last night. Some thoughts, and then some obvious words of advice:

For me the word "temperance" brings up the idea of abstinence from alcohol (the U.S. Temperance Movement). The word "prudence" works better for me. As for "moderation" the online dictionary definition is "the avoidance of excess or extremes". Moderation is necessary in meal portion sizes, sugar/carb intake, and alcohol. The pains of over consumption feel unpleasant. Moderation leads to a more enjoyable life. Sugar and alcohol are best in smaller quantities, with an exception for rare special occasions (as long as one "paces oneself").

As for the habit of using food to self-soothe, moderation is a necessary virtue. It would be prudent to find an alternative to using food for self-soothing. Also make sure not to buy binge-inducing snack foods, and instead buy more fresh fruits to eat...Desire that which is good for you.

Regarding wine consumption in Ancient Greece, I found this on wikipedia:

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The poet Eubulus noted that three bowls (kylikes) were the ideal amount of wine to consume. The quantity of three bowls to represent moderation is a recurring theme throughout Greek writing (today, the standard 750 ml bottle contains roughly three to six glasses of wine, depending on serving size).[1] In his c. 375 BC play Semele or Dionysus, Eubulus has Dionysus say:

"Three bowls do I mix for the temperate: one to health, which they empty first; the second to love and pleasure; the third to sleep. When this bowl is drunk up, wise guests go home. The fourth bowl is ours no longer, but belongs to violence; the fifth to uproar; the sixth to drunken revel; the seventh to black eyes; the eighth is the policeman's; the ninth belongs to biliousness; and the tenth to madness and the hurling of furniture."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greece_and_wine

LOL...yes it's a picture of my holiday stach. I shop at Trader Joe's and they have lots of fun stuff. So far I tried the Pecan Pie Porter and liked it...haven't tried the others yet.

Thanks for all your helpful feedback. I see I better correct my post, and in the future be more careful in how I state things.

Here are some excerpts of the main points from my latest blog post, which I hope upholds this forum's take on Epicureanism. Feel free to correct me if something isn't quite "kosher" in the Epicurean sense, or if there is anything that should be added.

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The following blog post came to me after reading an email in which a friend wrote the phrase: "I guess I better....". It got me thinking, because I've also noticed that phrase in my self, in various situations. It is sometimes also phrased as "I guess I better stop...." The following is intended to be helpful for evaluating whether or not a given activity is "working" or bringing benefits or bringing pleasure for your unique situation.

"Activities Evaluation" (both long-term and short-term).

State the specific activity that you wish to evaluate:

Evaluate this activity by choosing the best guess for each point below:

1) How likely is this to result in the pleasure and enjoyment of increased future security?(Increased resources of monetary, material goods, or friendship/community).

---Gauranteed/Likely/Uncertain/Unlikely/Impossible---

2) How likely is this to result in the pleasure and enjoyment of increased status or good reputation? (Being evaluated by others as knowledgeable, wise, skilled, courageous, or compassionate AND which also leads to increased resources of friendship/community. *Virtuous activities engaged in during isolation and/or exhibited only in the presence of strangers are less likely to increase "social security" and less likely to lead to long-term benefit).

---Gauranteed/Likely/Uncertain/Unlikely/Impossible

3) How likely is this to result in the pleasure and enjoyment of more stable existing relationships and/or new friendships/new community engagement?
---Guaranteed/Likely/Uncertain/Unlikely/Impossible---

4) How likely is this to result in pleasure and enjoyment from increased skill and artistic flow? (The joy of doing this, and the enjoyment of the focused discipline to do this).

---Gauranteed/Likely/Uncertain/Unlikely/Impossible---

5) How likely is this to result in immediate sensory pleasure and enjoyment?

---Gauranteed/Likely/Uncertain/Unlikely/Impossible---

6) How likely is this to result in a bad outcome? (Loss of property/wealth/reputation, loss of friendship/community, loss of good health, emotional/physical pain caused to self or to others, or a conflicting opportunity cost (time which could have gone to establishing future security -or- a more pleasure-worthy endeavor).

---Gauranteed/Likely/Uncertain/Unlikely/Impossible---

7) How likely is this to lead to an immediate sense of satiation or feeling of satisfaction?

---Gauranteed/Likely/Uncertain/Unlikely/Impossible---

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Evaluation of Activities for Benefit and Pleasure

The following blog post came to me after reading an email in which a friend wrote the phrase: "I guess I better....". It got me thinking, be...

epicureanphilosophyblog.blogspot.com

I am enjoying reading everyone's comments, such good and helpful insights!

Godfrey ...this comes up for me after reading what you wrote...That the "fear" and the need to defend ideology/religion arises due to how the mind forms concepts.

The Tao te Ching (Stephen Mitchell translation) says:

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"When people see some things as beautiful, other things become ugly.

When people see some things as good, other things become bad.

Being and non-being create each other.

Difficult and easy support each other.

Long and short define each other.

High and low depend on each other.

Before and after follow each other."

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I am currently contemplating how Taoism compares with Epicureanism. It seems that some of it fits, but yet other aspects are too much like Pyrrhonism/Skepticism.