The Stoic Exercise for Inner Peace | The View From Above With William Mulligan, Day 3 of Stoic School

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Welcome to Day 3 of the 100 Days of Stoicism series with William Mulligan. Today’s episode is particularly practical as we delve into a powerful Stoic exercise known as "The View from Above." This ancient practice was used by notable Stoics like Marcus Aurelius to gain a broader perspective on life, and it has the potential to profoundly shift your outlook in a matter of moments.

This exercise is designed to help you see your problems from a new, detached viewpoint. By imagining yourself from progressively higher vantage points, you can diminish the significance of your troubles and gain clarity. It’s especially useful when you’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or caught up in the minutiae of daily life. Begin by visualizing yourself in your current setting, then gradually expand your view to include your room, house, street, city, country, and finally, the entire Earth and universe. Each step helps you see how small and insignificant individual problems can be in the grand scheme of things, bringing a sense of calm and detachment.

William shares how he used this exercise during the early, challenging days of starting a company with his family, Mulligan Brothers. Working from a cramped attic, this exercise helped him manage stress and maintain focus on his goals. He found that taking a few moments to perform "The View from Above" could transform his mindset from overwhelmed to empowered. Marcus Aurelius often reflected on this perspective in his Meditations, reminding us of our small role in the vastness of time and space. Similarly, Carl Sagan’s famous "Pale Blue Dot" underscores our tiny place in the universe, encouraging us to cherish and protect our shared home.

Join us tomorrow for Day 4 of our 100 Days of Stoicism, where we’ll explore another key aspect of Stoic philosophy.