What is Prosochē?

The brief definition offered above provides some insight into the Stoic concept of prosochē; however, I do not think it draws out its full meaning and richness. My own understanding of the concept was furthered by the following descriptions of prosochē from various authors:

  • A “fundamental attitude” of “continuous attention, which means constant tension and consciousness, as well as vigilance exercised at every moment.”
  • Being “perfectly aware not only of what [one] is doing, but also of what he is thinking... and of what he is—in other words, of his place within the cosmos.” (Ibid)
  • “self-consciousness [which] is, above all, moral consciousness, which seeks at every moment to purify and rectify our intentions. At every instant, it is careful to allow no other motive for action than the will to do good.” (Ibid)
  • “Self-control... fundamentally being attentive to oneself... unrelaxing vigilance...”
  • “the fundamental Stoic spiritual attitude. It is a continuous vigilance and presence of mind, selfconsciousness which never sleeps, and a constant tension of the spirit” (Ibid., p. 84)
  • Remaining “fully aware of what [one] does at each instant” (Ibid)
  • Willing one's own actions fully. (Ibid)
  • “attention to oneself”, which can also be translated as “mindfulness” or “self-awareness”
  • “the exercise of self-attention or mindfulness. It is a form of mental development by which we progressively learn to be attentive to every single sensation we may have or feel at the very time they appear”
  • “the foundation needed for the practice of all the spiritual exercises.”
  • “self-interrogations, including the practice of asking [oneself], last thing at night and first thing in the morning, whether they had responded, or would respond, rightly during the day.”
  • “superintendency and care of self”
  • “introspective supervision of one's own thoughts and actions”
  • “The attentiveness or mindfulness that Stoics should apply to every impression and situation they face as they determine the proper judgement they need to make in order to maintain their eudaimonia.”

Notes:

Folksonomies: mindfulness stoicism

Taxonomies:
/religion and spirituality (0.841370)
/religion and spirituality/buddhism (0.763548)
/education/homework and study tips (0.712659)

Concepts:
Awareness (0.981571): dbpedia_resource
Consciousness (0.977910): dbpedia_resource
Mind (0.931385): dbpedia_resource
Sleep (0.829780): dbpedia_resource
Self (0.759905): dbpedia_resource
Stoicism (0.728128): dbpedia_resource
Thought (0.651898): dbpedia_resource
Learning (0.632500): dbpedia_resource

 Prosochē: Illuminating the Path of the Prokoptōn
Unpublished Work>Manuscript in Progress/Not Yet Accepted for Publication:  Fisher, Christopher (2024), Prosochē: Illuminating the Path of the Prokoptōn, Retrieved on 2024-12-06
  • Source Material [www.traditionalstoicism.com]
  • Folksonomies: stoicism mindfulness


    Schemas

    24 JAN 2014

     Mindfulness

    Memes on mindfulness, meditation, flow, and sustained focus.
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