Stoicism and the Hedonic Adaptation

One of the techniques used by Stoics to practice the philosophy they follow is called visualization. The idea is to visualize possible events, such as loss of a loved one, in order to prepare oneself for that event should it occur, to be made aware of the importance of that person in one's life and thereby more appreciative to have that person in one's life; and thirdly, to cease or rather slow the Hedonic Adaptation in life.

The latter idea I found fascinating when I read about it. Though I knew of its presence in my own life prior to my knowing the formal name, having it thoroughly explained to me made me contemplate it and its effect upon the art of living. The Hedonic Adaptation is the name given to the tendency in human nature to always want more because we become adapted to that which we thought would make us happy (in fact we were convinced at the time that 'if I only had'....I would be happy). Then we become bored or accustomed to that thing/relationship/whatever we 'just knew' would make us happy and we immediately begin the search for the 'real thing' that will make us happy and on and on.

If I apply the visualization technique wherein I am made aware of the fleeting nature of everything, indeed, of life itself; then I am more apt to decrease this Hedonic Adaptation. To enjoy life is the nature of life; however, to grasp more than the nature of life has to offer is suffering. To be happy with what I have rather than to seek something else to make me happy is the key to contentment. To realize, in other words, that no 'thing' external to me will make me happy for very long or in any real sense; but my living according to my nature and to nature in general will. What does that mean? It means to understand on a rational level the ever changing nature of all that makes up Nature including myself as a part of that Whole. And to thereby not place too much importance on anything for the nature of reality is impermanent and ever-changing; including my possessions, my family and friends, and indeed myself. Carpe diem! but not in the Epicurean sense but in the sense of living in the present and being content with reality as I understand it.