The Stoics taught that our interpretations of reality are not the same as reality itself. In fact, we can develop strong emotions about things that are actually not so terrible or that haven’t even happened.
The Stoics argued that nothing is good or bad. Instead, it is our interpretations that are good or bad. Oftentimes we can get swept away with first impressions, especially without a regular mindfulness practice.
In this post, we’ll take a deeper look into the Stoic concept of katalepsis and how we can use it to become indifferent to our impressions.
With a clear focus on mental health, we can learn to master our automatic reactions to things outside our control.
What are Impressions and Katalepsis?
Impressions are our internal judgments. Our impressions can be about ourselves, other people and even our expectations.
For example, we can have a first impression about someone or something that we find out later is actually false. It’s easy to interpret things in ways that result in unnecessary negative emotions.
According to the Stoics, our minds are constantly being bombarded with such judgment. Some impressions are true and others false. Katalepsis is how we comprehend the world.
Stoics used the idea of katalepsis to review our ability to grasp philosophical concepts. For example, the idea that our impressions are formed in our minds, and external things cannot control our judgments. But let’s not jump ahead now.
Recognise Impressions
Recognise mere appearances for what they are.
-Epictetus
Epictetus was one of the key Stoic philosophers. He simplified most of his teachings, and this is probably among his simplest lessons. When something is causing us grief, anxiety or anger, we need to take a step back and realise that these emotions are coming from within.
We are not slaves to external things, but instead we allow our minds to harbour these negative feelings. By developing katalepsis, we can start looking at our impressions more objectively.
Try to recognise your impressions of the world for what they are. Sometimes, we can’t see the truth without applying a layer of our own bias and ego.
Impressions Inside & Outside Your Control
So make a practice at once of saying to every strong impression: ‘An impression is all you are, not the source of the impression.’ Then test and assess it with your criteria, but one primarily: ask, ‘Is this something that is, or is not, in my control?’
Epictetus
His writings provide a clear framework for dealing with impressions. The philosophy he taught revolved largely around the dichotomy of control, focusing on what is within your control.
This is one of the key lessons that I’ve learned from Stoicism: Focus on what you can control and ignore what you cannot. I used to spend a lot of time worrying about and getting upset over things that I could not control.
This kataleptic framework has helped me reduce the appearance of overwhelming negative emotions. It’s also helped me focus my time and mental energy around things where I can truly make an impact.
We are all destined to die, yet most of us fear it so much. We can learn to conquer death with this Stoic idea. After all, what is really so terrible? Death is what gives life meaning.
This framework has helped me become happy and start this website. It even eventually became the basis of the Stoic To Do List.
Accept Your Control over Impressions
Remember, it is not enough to be hit or insulted to be harmed, you must believe that you are being harmed. If someone succeeds in provoking you, realize that your mind is complicit in the provocation. Which is why it is essential that we not respond impulsively to impressions; take a moment before reacting, and you will find it easier to maintain control.
― Epictetus, The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness and Effectiveness
Born a slave (the word Epictetus translates to “the acquired”), Epictetus learned from a young age to focus on what mattered. He managed to get a good education, study Stoicism and become a free man and one of the foremost philosophers of his generation.
Had Epictetus instead focused on his hatred of his owners and how life had wronged him, his teachings probably wouldn’t have stood the test of time. He would have been just another person caving into his most primal emotions.
Epictetus preached and lived by the principles of recognising external events for what they are: neutral, not good or bad. Only our judgments can be good or bad.
We can only control so much. That’s why we must learn to embrace, and even love, our fate. Amor fati.
The Power to Revoke Impressions
Similar to Epictetus’s lessons, Marcus Aurelius wrote extensively about impressions. As the great Roman emperor, he wrote to reflect on his thoughts and experiences. His objective was to be the best emperor he could be, and this largely involved humbling himself with Stoic concepts.
“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”
― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Marcus Aurelius clarifies that anything we think might causes distress does not actually bring us any harm. It is our own minds estimating the distress from this external event that brings us pain. We must take responsibility for our thoughts and anxieties.
We cannot simply say that an external event, something outside our control, has made us upset. Instead we must recognise that we have allowed ourselves to become upset with that event.
Take note of Marcus Aurelius’s routine and reflect every morning and evening on the things that cause you pain. This may help you develop cognitive distance and see these things in a new light.
We have the power to control how we interpret the world around us. So why wouldn’t we choose to use more positive emotions?
Thoughts Determine Your Quality of Mind
“The things you think about determine the quality of your mind.”
― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Aurelius wrote extensively about self-improvement. He often reminded himself of his duties and planned tactics long before they were needed.
Marcus used journaling as a way of thinking to himself. Today we have complete access to his private thoughts in the book Meditations. We saw the quality of his thinking, and how he was always trying to improve.
Besides journaling for self-improvement, he also journaled to find clarity. He thought of the most rational ways to approach problems and was therefore rarely stumped in his imperial duties.
Aurelius’s meditations journal epitomises the Stoic virtue of Wisdom. He always sought to think clearly, and he used his personal notebook to do so. That’s why we still read his book today.
Here’s one of the most influential people that ever lived, who lived by a philosophical code focused on making wise and just decisions. And we have access to his deepest internal monologues.
If we can master impressions in a similar way to the great philosopher king, we will also benefit from mental clarity and productivity.
Stoic Katalepsis & Impressions – in a Nutshell
It’s almost too easy to go through life judging everything as either good or bad. It almost requires a philosophy lesson to realise that our minds are what judge everything as positive or negative. It’s also true that 90% of our worries never occur. So why should we focus our time and mental energy on these thoughts?
The truth is we shouldn’t. By learning to recognise these thoughts, we can begin to differentiate between what’s in our control vs what is not. We can also improve the quality of our mind by avoiding negative emotions like excessive anger, grief and anxiety.
Learn to identify your false impressions and develop katalepsis with Mind & Practice.