The Three Disciplines of Stoicism: Life Lessons from a Roman Emperor

 “Everywhere, at each moment, you have the option: to accept this event with humility [will]; to treat this person as he should be treated [action]; to approach this thought with care, so that nothing irrational creeps in [perception].”

'The three disciplines' are an operating system for life that allows you to be proactive and not victimize yourself with the most common challenges of human life.

Individually, the three disciplines contribute to a meaningful life. Yet when combined, they constitute a comprehensive approach to life which leads to progress for our rational mind.

• Perception: it requires that we maintain absolute objectivity of thought; that we see things dispassionately for what they are.
• Action: it relates to living unselfishly. We should work towards something larger than ourselves, a collective good while treating people justly and fairly.
• Will: this is our attitude towards things outside our control. Those can only harm us if we allow them to.