02nd August 2018

The Power of Negative Visualisation

Marcus Aurelius & the Stoics

I first discovered the ancient Roman Emperor and philosopher ten years ago. I stumbled across the book “Meditations” and have carried it with me since. Written around 180AD, mostly while away at war in Macedonia, Marcus wrote of the lessons he’d learnt in life. A handbook on living, by a leader who was raised to Plato’s ideal as a philosopher/king. Marcus’ life, and his great little book, is just the beginning of this story.

Marcus Aurelius was a Stoic philosopher, along with other philosophers such as Epictetus and Seneca. If you haven’t heard much about the Stoics, then this blog is a good place to begin.
Let’s start with the word Stoic. Just as Epicurus wasn’t judging MasterChef in ancient Greece and feasting all day (Epicureans somehow went from being moderate, happiness seeking followers of Epicurus to wine and cheese buffs), the word stoic has changed its meaning along the way. Far from being joyless sufferers, bearing up in any circumstance, the early Stoics sought happiness and tranquility in life, and had some techniques and ways of viewing their world that led them towards those goals.

In a lot of ways, Stoics and Buddhists have much in common. They share a number of beliefs, most significant being the realisation that happiness and joy came from within and from social engagements, not from one’s possession, wealth or place in society. They both believed in one’s thoughts being the determinant of one’s state of life, and the importance of having power and control over one’s thinking.

So, why the negativity?

One of the most significant techniques that the Stoics believed in and used to create a meaningful, happy and tranquil life. It’s called Negative Visualisation, and on first pass it might seem to be counter-intuitive to living a happy life.

Put simply, imagine the worst thing that can happen to you, and then expect it to. That’s right. Think about your life. The things you treasure. The people you love. The comforts you have. And then imagine, no, expect, that you will soon lose them. While it seems quite pessimistic or glum, its effect can be very opposite.

Instead of acting with an insatiable desire for more; a better job, a grander life, a more understanding partner or better kids, the Stoics would have us visualise losing it all. By effect, learning to appreciate and treasure what you already have. So rather than taking what you’ve already got for granted, you seek to realise the value in it in the present, particularly by bearing in mind the prospect of losing it all.

How do I apply it to my life?

Learning to love and appreciate what you already have is a sure-fire way to gain happiness. Seneca and Epictetus both taught and wrote of the concept of negative visualisation. I remember vividly when I first read Marcus’ Meditations, where he quoted Epictetus as saying: “when you kiss your child asleep tonight, reflect on the possibility they will die tomorrow”. I recall my emotional response to this the first time I read it. The person who Epictetus spoke it too was similarly saddened, yet according to Epictetus, “we are not to be shocked, for it’s no less natural than the ripening of corn”. If we took on board this idea, we’ll likely love and cherish our kids even more. Imagine then, the joy and happiness of greeting them alive in the morning and taking every advantage to enjoy their presence each day they live.

The Stoics suggest that this negative visualisation extends to your friends and relatives lives, and even to your own mortality. That’s right, Seneca espoused that we live in this very moment as if it were our last.

It’s important to point out that this means contemplating the worst that could happen, and not worrying about it. The objective is happiness and tranquility. Which you won’t attain if you spend all your thoughts on the disasters than might befall you. It’s about leveraging the concept of negative visualisation to help appreciate your world and the things around you. Though at the same time, the Stoics warn not to over-much love the things we enjoy. “Be the user, not the slave, of the gifts of Fortune” advised Seneca.

And to quote both Buddha & Joni Mitchell…

Like Buddha said, enjoyment but not attachment to the delights in our life is the key. We have to contemplate the world, and our lives’, impermanence. Doing this, we might just convince ourselves to invest greater love and intensity in the simple things we do each day. Things that we so easily take for granted. Joni Mitchell knew a thing when she wrote: “Don’t it always seem to go, that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone…”

Glen Petersen

Glen Petersen

CEO at Generator Talent
With more than 35 years in business, working in large global businesses and consulting, Glen has a wise head set firmly on experienced shoulders – a good thing to have as Generator Talent’s founder and CEO. He is in demand by clients who value his pragmatic advice and ability to positively influence people and improve business outcomes.
Glen Petersen

Categories: General

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