21st Century Epicurean

In this blog I want to step outside the bounds of classical Epicurean scholarship and explore pleasure and tranquility using a simple “common sense” approach. Pleasure and tranquility need not be mutually exclusive. Not all stress should be avoided and modern Epicureans should move away from seeing tranquility as a main goal. Epicureans want to live enjoyably and happily, yet modern life is far from tranquil and can create a lot of stress. As modern Epicureans we can see that some people greatly enjoy excitement, activity, and stimulation, and other people enjoy quietude, relaxation, and tranquility. Introverts are estimated to be 25% of the population, and tend to desire more tranquility than extroverts. So keeping in mind that there can be differences in temperament, it makes sense that what is considered pleasurable will also depend on temperament. It would be wrong to impose any one group’s preferences onto another group.  For the sensitive constitution of introverts, the right lev

A Call to Joyous Epicurean Living (Revised 01/16/23) Rejoice in the joys of the body and the soul. Rise up and dance! For the soul keeps safe the seat of wisdom. Mother Nature governs t he body and easily teaches us the wisest ways to enjoy living. Partake in the all the joys of the body often and with prudence. Feel your skin, feel your breath, see the sunlight and all the colors, taste the delight of water and sometimes wine, smell and savor that which nourishes you at every mealtime. As the ancient song of Seikilos says: "While you live, shine! Have no grief at all. Life exists only for a short while, and time demands its due." The soul does not live forever, as some may believe. For it only comes to animate the flesh just as heat comes from a burning fire. And when the organs of the body cease to function and the heat of the body dissipates, so too does the soul cease to be. And just as a kernel of wheat ripens, so too the soul ripens with the experience of living. E