ChatGPT Melds "Circumscribing the Present" with Prosoche ('attention')

 

I gave ChatGPT a certain task:

Please describe a melding of the concept of "Circumscribing the present," as in Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 6.32, 8.36, 11.2, 12.1, 12.3, 6.7, and 2.5; and prosoche ('attention'), as in Epictetus, Discourses, 4.12.

ChatGPT answered:

'The concept of "Circumscribing the present" as described by Marcus Aurelius in his Meditations, involves focusing one's attention on the present moment, and not allowing oneself to become preoccupied with the past or the future. The idea is to limit one's attention to what is happening right now, and to avoid being distracted by things that are outside of one's control.

'Prosoche, on the other hand, is a concept from Epictetus' Discourses, which refers to the practice of paying careful attention to one's thoughts and actions, and being mindful of how they are affecting one's life. It involves cultivating a heightened awareness of one's thoughts and emotions, and being mindful of how they are influencing one's behavior.

'When these two concepts are combined, the result is a powerful tool for self-awareness and self-improvement. By circumscribing the present, we can focus our attention on the task at hand, and avoid being distracted by things that are outside of our control. At the same time, by practicing prosoche, we can become more mindful of our thoughts and actions, and learn to exert greater control over them.

'In essence, the melding of these two concepts encourages us to be fully present in the moment, while also being attentive to our own internal landscape. By cultivating this kind of awareness, we can gain greater control over our thoughts and emotions, and develop a more balanced and harmonious relationship with ourselves and the world around us.'

STOICON 16: Donald Robertson -- Stoicism, Mindfulness, and Cognitive Therapy