Living in Tension with Nature
Episode #304
Hello Friends,
Stoicism states that if we live in harmony with nature, all will be well. Unpacking what that means – to live in harmony – is no simple thing. One way to understand this perspective of harmony is through the analogy of a guitar, which we’ll dive into below. However, it’s first worth noting that living in harmony for the Stoic soul means, as it does for a guitar string, being under tension. Harmony is, in fact, because of tension. But how do we make sense of Eudaimonia being a result of tension? Isn’t tension a bad thing?
The audio version of this episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, and wherever else you listen to your podcasts.
Your Soul is a Guitar String
A guitar has 6 strings, with 5 different notes (there are two E notes in standard tuning). Each string is designed to carry a particular tone and note. For example, the E string is meant to play an E note when tuned and plucked.
If the string is not tuned correctly on the guitar, it can play any number of notes. An E string can be tuned to play a D note, and vice versa. It can also be tuned to play notes that do not exist in a particular tuning system. We may say that such tunings are “out of tune”.
When a guitarist tunes her guitar, she adds or reduces tension to the string until she reaches her desired note. Moving on to the next string, she does the same until each and every note is in tune.
Tuning Ourselves to Nature
Similar to guitar strings, Stoicism would have us believe that we must tune ourselves to harmonize with the cosmos – with Nature. If we can achieve such a tuning, we are in harmony, and can “do no wrong” (that is the Stoic Sage!). If an E string is tuned correctly, it will always play the right note.
However, it’s worth highlighting that strings, like us, need to be under tension in order to be in harmony; otherwise, no note or harmony exists. A guitar string cannot make a sound without being under tension, and you cannot contribute to the cosmos if you have no tension.
Tension, as Responsibility
This “tension” we can think of in various ways. I like to think about it as Responsibility. A good person may take responsibility for themselves and their family. These things are “theirs”, in a sense; not “theirs” in that they own these things, but theirs in that they belong to them. It is, of course, very Stoic to take responsibility for those you care about.
The Sage would extend this circle out to the whole world, and so that state of tension would be a responsibility for the entire cosmos. Tension should not be seen as a bad thing; it’s required for us to make our sound! However, it’s useful to note that too much tension on a guitar string requires it to snap, and some strings are designed for more tension than others.
That’s right, we can adopt too much responsibility. We can accept jobs that we are not prepared for, have kids that we can’t financially support, try and mentor others when we can’t even take care of ourselves – there is no shortage of examples, here.
Balancing Our Different Natures
For simplicity, we can break down the axiom to “live according to Nature” into “live according to your personal nature”, “live according to communal nature”, and “live according to Mother Nature”.
Our personal natures are who we are as individuals. It includes our personality, our proclivities, our interests, our strengths, and our weaknesses. We all have different natures, and that’s what makes us unique.
Communal nature, or human nature, is that which connects us with every other member of humanity. It’s our shared psychology and our prosocial nature.
Finally, Mother Nature we can think of as reality. It’s mathematics, the laws of physics, inanimate objects, and scientific truths.
Stoics must balance these different natures and this balance requires tension. Sages are being pulled by these various natures – similar to how a guitar string is pulled by both the bridge and the tuning key. This pulling requires strength from us. If a string is too weak, it may not reach its desired note, after all!
What Happens if Your Fail?
To understand how important these are, let’s look at what would happen if you failed to align yourself with one of these. If you are an extreme introvert and you don’t temper your social time, it would be difficult for you to be at peace. If you were tempered as an introvert but couldn’t feel at home around those in your community, you would also suffer. Finally, if you refused to believe in gravity and jumped off a cliff, well, we all know what would happen.
The Sage balances these forces through strength, and is hence able to live in harmony with them.
Strength & Courage
Now, let’s get into one of my favorite topics: strength.
I’ve explained above how strength is important for you to live in harmony. If that isn’t enough, consider that the cardinal virtue of Courage is also fortitude, so even the ancient Stoics knew that strength was important!
But here’s the interesting thing about strength: it takes a long time to build.
The two biggest predictors of longevity, according to Dr. Peter Attia, is VO2 Max, and physical strength. VO2 max is also strength; it’s strength of your heart and cardiovascular system, so it’s really just strength. The reason why strength is the biggest predictor of longevity is that it takes a long time to build.
Someone with a strong deadlift did not acquire that overnight. Similarly, someone who is living in harmony with nature also didn’t acquire that overnight. It took years, probably even decades of training.
How do we get physically strong? We go to the gym regularly. Consistently. How do we gain strength of character? We go to the Stoic Gym regularly. Consistently. Meaning: if we wish to get stronger, we need to practice strength.
If we wish to approach Sage-hood, we must practice virtue.
Let’s Get Practical: How Do We Implement This?
If you wanted to deadlift more, you’d probably go to a coach and they’d write you a program with various lifts: deadlifts, squats, accessories, core work, etc. If you wanted to be a better person, you should also consider getting a coach.
A literal coach, of course, but we can gain wisdom through coaches long dead now, like Seneca or Marcus Aurelius.
The main point here is that we must practice Stoicism. Practice! Here are some things you can try.
Whenever you go out into the world, ask yourself: how can I be kind to everyone I interact with today?
At work, ask yourself: which strengths do I bring to the team here, and how can I help support my team?
If you wish to be more humble, throw on a pair of your oldest pyjamas and go to the mall. Why should you not look like a fool? You ARE a fool, my friend!
Stoicism is a practical philosophy, so it’s rooted in action. So act! Practice virtue. Practice courage, wisdom, temperance, and justice. Aim to act more appropriately in your life, and guess what? You’ll get better at it!
You’ll develop strength, and through strength, we develop the ability to hold tension and to be in tension with the Cosmos.
And when we achieve that – the strength to resonate with the demands of Nature – that’s when we are complete.
Until next time,
Brandon
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Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, where he discusses philosophical ideas (solo and guest episodes).
Brandon is also a writer for THE STOIC, the official journal of The Stoic Gym.