Mindfulness in Stoicism: Prosoche or the Art of Paying Attention
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In this meeting, we will explore the concept of prosoche (attentiveness, mindfulness), which Stoicism considers a key attitude for living a good life. Although the Stoics did not meditate in the same way that Eastern traditions do, their writings are full of references to the importance of being present and mindful of our impressions and actions. Our freedom lies in the space between stimulus and response, and prosoche refers to the capacity to remain vigilant over this faculty and to cultivate it.
For Pierre Hadot, the French philosopher who reintroduced Stoicism as a way of life, prosoche “is the fundamental Stoic spiritual attitude. It is a continuous vigilance and presence of mind, self consciousness which never sleeps, and a constant tension of the spirit. Thanks to this attitude, the philosopher is fully aware of what he does at each instant, and he wills his actions fully. Thanks to his spiritual vigilance, the Stoic always has ‘at hand’ (procheiron) the fundamental rule of life: that is, the distinction between what depends on us and what does not.”
Epictetus teaches that cultivating our attention is essential for making better choices, as it enables us to assent to the right impressions, make sound judgments, and take the proper course of action. Discourse 4.12 is dedicated to the importance of paying attention and to what we should be mindful of:
“To what then must I attend? First to those universal principles I have spoken of: these you must keep at command, and without them neither sleep nor rise, drink nor eat nor deal with men: the principle that no one can control another’s will, and that the will alone is the sphere of good and evil. No one then has power to procure me good or to involve me in evil, but I myself alone have authority over myself in these matters. So, when I have made these secure, what need have I to be disturbed about outward things? What need have I to fear tyrant, or disease, or poverty, or disaster?”
Marcus Aurelius often reminds himself that we possess only the present moment and must remain vigilant about what we choose to focus on:
“Everywhere and all the time it lies within your power to be reverently contented with your present lot, to behave justly to such people as are presently at hand, and to deal skilfully with your present impressions so that nothing may steal into your mind which you have not adequately grasped.” – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 7.54
For the Stoics, attending to the present moment—without being dragged into regrets about the past or absorbed in uncertain futures—is also one of the keys to happiness:
“True happiness is to be free from perturbations; to understand our duties toward God and man; to enjoy the present, without any anxious dependence upon the future; not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears, but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is abundantly sufficient; for he that is so wants nothing.” – Seneca, True Happiness
Bringing our mind back to the present and paying attention to the task at hand—no matter how trivial it may seem—enables us to make the best use of our rational faculties. The Stoics saw attentiveness as a skill that can be strengthened through deliberate practice. While they did not develop specific meditative exercises like those found in Eastern traditions, they were open to adopting helpful practices from other philosophies, such as the Pythagoreans’ self-reflective journaling.
In this meeting, we will discuss the role of attentiveness in Stoicism, how mindfulness can help us make better use of our reason and freedom, and how learning to focus our attention supports the pursuit of the good life. We will also share experiences of meditative practices that may enhance our ability to remain present.
Whether you’re curious about how ancient ideas can help with modern problems, or just fancy a thoughtful conversation in good company, you’ll be very welcome. Come as you are — there’s always something to take away.
Further reading:
https://traditionalstoicism.com/prosoche-the-practice-of-attention-episode-5/
Mindfulness in Stoicism: Prosoche or the Art of Paying Attention