Self-Mastery Required for Real and Lasting Power

[DISCLAIMER]

As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

Before discovering Stoicism, I pondered the self-mastery (conscious control over one’s behavior) required (called for as suitable or appropriate) for real (having objective independent existence) and lasting (existing or continuing a long while) power (ability to act or produce an effect).

For context, the American Psychological Association defines power as “the capacity to influence others, even when they try to resist this influence). Here, it may be useful to draw a meaningful distinction between control and influence.

Whereas control is the ability to impact outcomes through direct authority, rules, or power, influence is the ability to affect decisions or behaviors without direct authority, instead relying on persuasion, trust, or inspiration. Regarding this matter, Epictetus stated (page 338):

Don’t trust in your reputation, money, or position, but in the strength that is yours—namely, your judgments about the things that you control and don’t control. For this alone is what makes us free and unfettered, that picks us up by the neck from the depths and lifts us eye to eye with the rich and powerful.

Years ago, before learning of Stoicism, I realized that I didn’t want to associate with “the rich and powerful” members of society. Nevertheless, Epictetus stated that even the least of us within a hierarchal system can attain our own form of power through self-mastery (i.e., self-control).

Although some people seek other-control (i.e., direct authority over people, places, and things), I realize that the self-mastery required for real and lasting power is something that isn’t dependent upon external factors. Of this view, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 338):

In a scene in Steven Pressfield’s classic novel about Alexander the Great, The Virtues of War, Alexander reaches a river crossing only to be confronted by a philosopher who refuses to move. “This man has conquered the world!” one of Alexander’s men shouts. “What have you done?” The philosopher responds, with complete confidence, “I have conquered the need to conquer the world.”

The level of self-mastery required to relinquish ambitions for power outside of oneself isn’t necessarily profound. This may be accomplished simply by focusing on what one does and doesn’t control or influence. Noteworthy, authors of The Daily Stoic continue (page 338):

We do know that Alexander did clash with Diogenes the Cynic, a philosopher known for his rejection of what society prizes and, by extension, Alexander’s self-image. Just as in Pressfield’s fictional encounter, in Diogenes’s real confrontation with Alexander, the philosopher was more powerful than the most powerful man in the world—because, unlike him, Diogenes had fewer wants. They were able to look each other in the eye and see who really had control over himself, who had achieved the self-mastery required for real and lasting power.

Photo credit, fair use

Alexander was powerful through rigid and direct authority at the tip of a sword, as reportedly “more than 1 million” people perished at his command. Alternatively, Diogenes was powerful by way of rigorous self-mastery, as he apparently maintained a sharpened mind.

Providing a takeaway in this regard, authors of The Daily Stoic state, “You can have that too. It just means focusing inward on acquiring power rather than outward. As Publilius Syrus, himself a former slave, put it: ‘Would you have a great empire? Rule over yourself!” (page 338).

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

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