“Remember that your ruling reason becomes unconquerable when it rallies and relies on itself, so that it won’t do anything contrary to its own will, even if its position is irrational. How much more unconquerable if its judgments are careful and made rationally? Therefore, the mind freed from passions is an impenetrable fortress — a person has no more secure place of refuge for all time.
MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 8.48
In today’s entry in The Daily Stoic, Marcus Aurelius reminds us of the power of a mind which is honed through constant practice to be rational at all times. This mind essentially becomes an “impenetrable fortress”, and can’t be conquered.
Author Ryan Holiday helps us understand further — it takes time and repetition to forge habits and behaviors that can reinforce the mind in this way. By way of regular practice, your mind will become so strong that when faced with challenges it will automatically react in the right way, the way that you desire to react.
Instead of reacting negatively or letting your emotions overwhelm you, instead you will be “freed from passions” and able to react rationally. And then nothing can stop you or penetrate the defenses (unless you do it to yourself).
You’ve become unconquerable, in your rational fortress.
