The True Essence of Masculinity
“पुरुषार्थो न यस्य सः पुरुषः”
(Puruṣārtho na yasya saḥ puruṣaḥ)
This means “He is not a true man who lacks purpose.”
I believe that as men, life can be quite challenging. The most intriguing aspect, as well as the most daunting, is that we enter this world without inherent value assigned to us; instead, we must strive diligently to earn respect and establish our worth.
As men, we bear the responsibility of providing and safeguarding those in our midst, whether it be our fellow men, women, children, or the elderly.
In an ideal scenario, we should encourage and inspire other men to pursue goodness and virtue. However, it’s essential to exercise discernment, distinguishing between those who are reliable and honest and those who may not be. Trusting your intuition and assessing individuals based on their actions is often more prudent than blindly adhering to the notion of ‘Not Judging People’ promoted by some liberal ideologies.
Significantly, our attention should be directed toward three vital aspects: Health, Finance, and Relationships, as most of the challenges we encounter can be categorized within these domains.
We must uphold integrity and honesty, starting with ourselves. Keeping our word and following through on our commitments not only builds credibility and character but also becomes a litmus test during challenging times, distinguishing between the weak and the strong among us.
Strength should encompass a man’s physical prowess, mental resilience, and financial stability.
“A harmless man is not a good man. A good man is a very dangerous man who has that under voluntary control”: Dr Jordan B Peterson
A genuine man embodies virtues such as Stoicism, Generosity, Purposefulness, Strength, and Fidelity.
Women are among the most beautiful beings in the world; they bring life into existence, nurture it, and play a pivotal role in the prosperity of society. They are a reflection of Nature itself. To enable women to embrace their true femininity, it is of utmost importance for the men in their lives to embody masculinity. It becomes our responsibility to provide, protect, and honor the women in our lives for the greater good of society.
Children represent the future of our society, and it is paramount that we nurture them in a manner that instills an appreciation for the efforts of virtuous individuals around them. From an early age, teaching them the importance of accountability and fostering a foundation of strong character is essential to ensure a positive legacy.
Women represent Nature, Men represent Time.
Women embody the nurturing force of Nature, while men symbolize the relentless march of Time. Nature, in its kindness, often aligns with women, providing them with its gentler gifts, whereas Time, with its impartiality, tends to favor men, granting them opportunities to shape their destinies.
Key principles of Stoicism include:
- Virtue as the Highest Good: Stoics believe that the most important goal in life is to live virtuously. Virtue, according to Stoicism, involves wisdom, courage, justice, and self-discipline.
- Acceptance of What Cannot Be Controlled: Stoics emphasize the importance of distinguishing between what is within our control (our thoughts, actions, and choices) and what is not (external events, other people’s actions). They advise focusing on the former and accepting the latter with equanimity.
- Emotional Resilience: Stoicism teaches techniques to manage and control emotions, particularly negative ones like anger, fear, and grief. The goal is to maintain inner tranquility in the face of life’s challenges.
- Live in Accordance with Nature: Stoics advocate living in harmony with the natural order of the universe. This involves accepting the impermanence of life and being content with what one has.
- Self-Examination: Stoics encourage introspection and self-reflection to understand one’s own character and values better. This leads to personal growth and the development of virtue.
“Masculinity is not something given to you, but something you gain. And you gain it by winning small battles with honor.” — Norman Mailer
