In this issue there is an interesting article on Stoic walking by Donald Roberson. 

Come again? “Stoic” walking? Is a Stoic supposed to walk differently? 

The obvious answer is, of course not. Stoicism is a philosophy of mental movements and not of physical movements. And yet we have recurring references to daily activities such as walking in different philosophical and spiritual traditions, not just in Stoicism. For instance: 

Your ordinary way of walking is debilitating. I am going to demonstrate a special way of walking. 

Toltec tradition: Casteneda Journey to Ixtlan 

 

I say then: Walk in spirit. 

Christian tradition: Paul, Galatians 5.16 

 

How does an enlightened person talk? How does he sit? How does he walk? 

Hindu tradition: Bhagavad Gita 2.54 

 

By walking on the street [on shabbat], it’s as if a person is acknowledging the different nature and pace of the day. 

Judaic tradition: Rabbi Asher Vale 

 

Walk upright and free. 

Stoic tradition, Epictetus, Discourses 1.18 

How are physical activities relevant to philosophical and spiritual disciplines? I don’t think there is any direct connection between the two but it is said that, 

How you do anything is how you do everything. 

You don’t practice walking in a certain way to get your credentials as a Stoic. There is no Ministry of Stoic Walks and there is no school we can go to learn “Stoic walking.” Rather, as we become more thoughtful living a Stoic life, we are not mindlessly rushing somewhere. It is my guess that, as we start looking at things differently, you judge “impressions” differently (Epictetus). In response to your movement of thoughts, perhaps your gait changes. When your thoughts are calm and collected, the body follows. 

If you observe, we can see a confident person often walks differently from a diffident person. An agitated person walks differently from one who is calmer. The bodily movements often reflect a person’s mental state. 

Whether you buy into any of this or not, it is always interesting to think about the totality of a Stoic life. 

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Dr. Chuck Chakrapani Editor-in-Chief

 

 

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