Slavery Resides Under Marble and Gold

[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.

The authors quote former slave and ancient Greek Stoic philosopher Epictetus who stated, “The unrestricted person, who has in hand what they will in all events, is free. But anyone who can be restricted, coerced, or pushed into something against what they will is a slave” (page 87).

This and similar perspectives likely influenced REBT theory, as the ABC model addresses a form of proverbial servitude to one’s self-disturbed response when using irrational beliefs. In essence, you’re pushed into something against what you will by way of an unfavorable attitude.

When stating matters in this way (Action), I imagine a self-disturbed individual unhelpfully Believing, “Deric shouldn’t compare mental, emotional, or behavioral health problems to slavery, because it’s awful for him to minimize the effects of actual involuntary servitude!”

With that unaccommodating philosophy of life, the imagined person would then likely become disgusted (Consequence). Thus, this restricted individual will have become a slave to one’s own unproductive perspective. Addressing such matters, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 87):

Take a look at some of the most powerful, rich, and famous people in the world. Ignore the trappings of their success and what they’re able to buy. Look instead at what they’re forced to trade in return—look at what success has cost them.

Mostly? Freedom. Their work demands they wear a suit. Their success depends on attending certain parties, kissing up to people they don’t like. It will require—inevitably—realizing they are unable to say what they actually think. Worse, it demands that they become a different type of person or do bad things.

Sure, it might pay well—but they haven’t truly examined the transaction. As Seneca put it, “Slavery resides under marble and gold.” Too many successful people are prisoners in jails of their own making. Is that what you want? Is that what you’re working hard toward? Let’s hope not.

When I was young, I used to desire wealth. Yet, as I grew older and traveled the world – seeing how enslaved rich people were to the trappings of wealth – I set aside my naïve perspective. Regarding this matter, I stated in a blogpost entitled Possessions Make You Rich?:

Personally, possessions aren’t what enrich life. I’ve heard some people say that money can’t buy happiness. I’ve heard others declare that riches can at least make a down payment on joy and pleasure.

Per my view, monetary wealth may be correlated with, though isn’t fully responsible for, the sort of contentment I seek in this existence. Ultimately, and although I remain agnostic about eternal life, I don’t derive wealth from money. To me, there’s more to life than material possessions.

Perhaps you imagine being one of the wealthiest individuals alive. You could afford a $500 million yacht, marry someone who’s crossed the uncanny valley by the amount of cosmetic surgeries received, and you could do virtually anything your heart desired for entertainment.

Simultaneously, the business you own is rated among the top worst companies for which one can work, you can’t travel unescorted by full-time security, and any offhanded comment you make could result in perceived abandonment of your fiduciary duty to stockholders and stakeholders.

How free would you actually be, given that you couldn’t post a blog entry that compared wealth to slavery? Slavery resides under marble and gold, as well as under facial reconstructive surgeries. So, who among us is free? I know the answer to this question as I look into the mirror.

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

Photo credit (edited), fair use

References:

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