Posts by Kalosyni

Happy Birthday Patrikios !

I am going to be using this 6 part model to cope with sugar and carb withdrawl urges, as I've now depleted my highly processed snacks and chocolate stash, and I will start eating more carrots, apples, and vegetables because I want to gain greater health.

And as it states in Letter to Menoeceus:

"And because this is the primary and inborn good, we do not choose every pleasure. Instead, we pass up many pleasures when we will gain more of what we need from doing so. And we consider many pains to be better than pleasures, if we experience a greater pleasure for a long time from having endured those pains. So every pleasure is a good thing because its nature is favorable to us, yet not every pleasure is to be chosen — just as every pain is a bad thing, yet not every pain is always to be shunned. It is proper to make all these decisions through measuring things side by side and looking at both the advantages and disadvantages, for sometimes we treat a good thing as bad and a bad thing as good."

"Fourth, we hold that self-reliance is a great good — not so that we will always have only a few things but so that if we do not have much we will rejoice in the few things we have, firmly persuaded that those who need luxury the least enjoy it the most, and that everything natural is easily obtained whereas everything groundless is hard to get. So simple flavors bring just as much pleasure as a fancy diet if all pain from true need has been removed..."

Vices in this article:

Arrogance, envy, joy at the misfortunes of others, flattery, greed, egocentrism, ingratitude and friendlessness, injustice, irascibility, and superstitious fears.

Link to a PDF of article:

https://ancphil.lsa.umich.edu/-/downloads/osap/21-Tsouna.pdf

Under the category of developing resilience through "beliefs and values" ---> one possible activity for an individual oriented toward the study of the philosophy of Epicurus, would be to create a home altar with either a picture or a bust of Epicurus. Altars can also be decorated with natural elements of water, earth, and fire (flowers in a vase of water, and candles or electric lights)...etc. etc.. And either books or cherished excerpts or Principal Doctrines, etc (hand written on nice paper or printed out by inkjet) can also be placed on an altar. It is up to each individual to decide whether or not this feels like something that they would enjoy doing.

Here are six areas of developing coping resources. It was developed by Mooli Lahad.

In Epicurean philosophy we see how we have within us a natural urge to move away from pain and toward pleasure, and I see this model as six areas which can be developed to build resilience by moving toward that which is pleasant and pleasurable.

Here is a diagram I made:

This shows how important eyebrows are to the physical appearance of intelligence. (I did this digitally with my tablet and stylus pen). I changed the lips, but thinking that I could add back in some thickness. Also the forehead may need a bit more work.

Happy Birthday ifancya !

Happy Birthday Pacatus !

We now have this thread, where members can let us know if they would like to attend:

Post

Special EpicureanFriends Zoom - April 27th, 12:30pm EDT

Coming up this Sunday, April 27th, at 12:30 EDT for forum members who are available, we'll be having a Zoom!

This Zoom meeting will run for about an hour, as an informal gathering to meet those in European time zones or any other new members who would like to attend - it's intended to be a convenient time for both USA and Europe.

Our Agenda will be largely informal so we can go around the table and let each person introduce themselves and their interest in Epicurus. But we'll also talk at least…

Kalosyni

April 22, 2025 at 10:10 AM

Coming up this Sunday, April 27th, at 12:30 EDT for forum members who are available, we'll be having a Zoom!

This Zoom meeting will run for about an hour, as an informal gathering to meet those in European time zones or any other new members who would like to attend - it's intended to be a convenient time for both USA and Europe.

Our Agenda will be largely informal so we can go around the table and let each person introduce themselves and their interest in Epicurus. But we'll also talk at least briefly about the example of the early Epicureans - especially Lucretius, Diogenes of Oinoanda, Philodemus, and of course Epicurus himself - who worked to "spread the word" of Epicurean philosophy to others, rather than just following it privately themselves.

Also note that we'll be using video but it's not required - if you'd prefer to use audio only that will be fine.

Quote from Lucretius 1-136

Nor does it pass unnoticed of my mind that it is a hard task in Latin verses to set clearly in the light the dark discoveries of the Greeks, above all when many things must be treated in new words, because of the poverty of our tongue and the newness of the themes; yet your merit and the pleasure of your sweet friendship, for which I hope, urge me to bear the burden of any toil, and lead me on to watch through the calm nights, searching by what words, yea and in what measures, I may avail to spread before your mind a bright light, whereby you may see to the heart of hidden things.

This is open to all members and any of our other regulars here who would like to attend, whether you're in Europe or not!

If you're interested please let us know here in this thread - we'll be setting up a private conversation with further Zoom details for those who let us know that they would like to attend.

Welcome to the forum @vlasalv 

You might enjoy these Youtube videos:

Bread and Water - Debunking the Idea of Epicurean Asceticism

and

Cassius' Epicurean philosophy overview video:

I'm thinking that Vatican Saying 78 might make for a nice motto (especially the first part):

"The noble soul is devoted most of all to wisdom and to friendship — one a mortal good, the other immortal." (Saint Andre translation).

I think it is important to see that in studying Epicurean philosophy there are three things going on:

1) Knowing what exactly Epicurus said according to the extant texts

2) Understanding what he said and either agreeing, or coming up with a personalized understanding (which may end up slightly deviating from what Epicurus said)

3) Putting into practice what Epicurus said, or putting into practice one's own individualized interpretation

But it is important to be clear about not mixing up points (1) and (2) -- primarily for the purposed of this forum which is a place to learn what Epicurus said.

We are all free to decide if we personally agree or not, or if we want to be "eclectic" - and I've found a good place to explore that in my own private personal journal - as I sometimes experimentally flesh out my individualized ideas (and this is a suggestion for others if they need it).

This takes off the pressure to try to make Epicurus into something he is not. And helps the forum stay focused on exactly what Epicurus said in his Principal Doctrines and Letters. I always go back to the Principal Doctrines when my understanding feels unclear (or any confusion due to opposing or incorrect views).

You can find the Principal Doctrines here

On some level I am still having a hard time being able to integrate the idea of only two feelings: pleasure and pain.

The usual cognition of the word "pleasure" and which has been with me most of my life until encountering Epicurean philosophy, seems like it has almost an eternal "prolepsis" of being bodily sensation and a kind of movement/active state, (and pain being a sensation that is more than just a mild discomfort). In my mind this leaves out the state of "feeling satisfied" (and therefore not needing anything to be different than it is).

Feeling satisfied is pleasurable, but not in the same sense as eating chocolate or having an orgasm.

When I think about what I choose to eat, it's not so much about living longer, but more about quality of life ---> having and feeling good energy in my body and not carrying any extra weight (ideally I need to lose about 5 to 10 lbs.). I notice that I feel sluggish when I over-eat and I don't like the feeling when my pants waistband is too tight. I need to start implementing some changes and only bring home healthy and unprocessed foods into my house.

Is anyone else feeling like this is an issue in their life right now?

Here are some articles on how to change to healthier eating patterns. These are all common sense, but yet sometimes hard to implement:

Limit highly processed foods

Preparing foods with healthy ingredients and choosing healthier menu options are ways to limit highly processed foods.

food-guide.canada.ca

Healthy eating while eating out

The food choices you make when eating outside of the home are important. Learn how to make healthier choices when you are eating out.

food-guide.canada.ca

Choose healthy menu options

Choosing healthy menu options when you are eating out can be an important step to limiting highly processed foods. If you eat out often, remember that the…

food-guide.canada.ca

Modern life is a bit different than Epicurus' time...we have highly processed foods that are made to be highly palatable, and they are easy to get.

Here are two articles:

Excerpt:

Quote

Hormonal and neurobiological changes occur when individuals consume processed foods, especially highly palatable foods that are rich in sugar, fat and salt. These changes can contribute to the development of addictive behaviours and, ultimately, addiction.

It is well established that derangement of hormones can contribute to this process. Ghrelin is responsible for regulating hunger. Elevated ghrelin levels can drive hunger and increase food intake. On the other hand, leptin is responsible for signalling satiety and inhibiting food intake. Consumption of highly palatable foods, particularly those high in sugar, fat and salt, has been shown to disrupt the balance of these hormones; for example, it can increase ghrelin levels. As a result, individuals may experience increased cravings and overeating as signals for hunger and fullness become dysregulated. Additionally, consumption of processed foods has been hypothesised to lead to leptin resistance, where the body no longer responds to satiety signals.⁹ Disruptions in the normal interplay between ghrelin and leptin can result in overeating and continued consumption of these foods.

Source:

One size does not fit all: Understanding the five stages of ultra-processed food addiction | Tarman | Journal of Metabolic Health

Another excerpt:

Quote

The reasons that our bodies crave these foods is because they are loaded with ingredients that tap into the pleasure centers in our brain.

Source:

"Pleasantly Happy Pig" (made with clip art from Canva).

Happy Birthday ranc1

Happy Twentieth everyone and may your day be joyous as you celebrate today!