Wisdom and Resilience from Stoicism to Ubuntu

Maryam Bala

Welcome to Stoic Safari, a podcast that wanders the terrain where ancient Stoic philosophy meets African wisdom traditions. This isn't just another self-improvement show peddling quick fixes for modern anxieties. It's an expedition through philosophical landscapes that have sustained human resilience for centuries, guided by us – Kwame and Maryam Bala – we are a couple and our shared life creates a unique vantage point for this exploration. Our partnership, blending different backgrounds and perspectives, mirrors the very philosophical intersection we're examining. We're excited (and yes, a bit nervous) to invite you into these conversations that have transformed our own lives and relationship. Every Monday at 08:00 Central European time, we'll release a new episode – another step in this journey we're taking together.

Maryam Bala

So, when we talk about wisdom traditions, particularly Stoicism, we’re often drawn to these incredibly timeless ideas. Logos, for instance, which refers to rational thought or universal reason, is one of the key principles. And philosophers like Marcus Aurelius or Seneca emphasized that human virtue, our capacity to act ethically and master our emotions anchors us amid life’s unpredictability. It's this almost...you know, scientific approach to self-mastery that has intrigued people for centuries.

Kwame Otieno Bala

Right, and what I love about Stoic philosophy is how it’s not afraid to acknowledge that life is, well, messy. It’s like they just accepted that things are going to go off the rails, so why freak out? I mean, they literally built a philosophy around how to stay calm when chaos erupts. It’s fascinating.

Kwame Otieno Bala

And in a way, Stoicism becomes this handbook for navigating the chaos. But here’s where we see surprising parallels with African wisdom traditions. Take Ubuntu, for instance. It centers around this idea that "I am because we are." On the surface, it seems quite different from Stoicism, very relational, deeply rooted in communal identity. Yet there’s a shared underlying wisdom about living with purpose and accountability in this vast web of connections.

Maryam Bala

Mm, I kinda love that "I am because we are." That’s just... so so beautiful, isn’t it? And it’s such a contrast to, you know, individualism, which tend to dominate modern thinking. It’s like Ubuntu insists that no matter what you're going through, there's a bigger picture, a network holding you. I feel like, personally, that's where I findmy strength.

Kwame Otieno Bala

There’s also Sankofa, another African principle that encourages us to "return and retrieve" to look back and learn from the past as we move forward. It's an insight that strengthens the idea that resilience isn’t something we just create individually. It's cultivated through shared identity, through knowing and honoring where we come from.

Maryam Bala

Kwame, that reminds me of when you explained the kgotla system in Botswana to me. Do you remember? I remeber you saying it's this communal gathering space where decisions aren’t just made rationally but through collective reasoning. That felt so... alive to me, and surprisingly Stoic, actually!

Kwame Otieno Bala

Offcourse. You see, in Botswana, the kgotla process is very much about reasoned discourse. Everyone has a voice, and the aim is to reach shared understanding through rational debate. It’s democracy in its purest, most human-centered form. Honestly, it feels like a living embodiment of Stoic ideals, recognizing the importance of community but grounding it in logic and shared responsibility.

Maryam Bala

Wait, so you’re saying a philosophy born in ancient Rome shares ground with the way decisions are made in an African village? That’s actually, kinda poetic.

Kwame Otieno Bala

Yeah. And I think that’s part of why these traditions resonate across ages and borders. They’re addressing similar human challenges, how to live, how to endure, and how to grow.

Maryam Bala

What strikes me is how these principles see resilience as something larger than ourselves. Like, it’s not just you toughing things out alone. It’s about finding strength together. That’s something I feel we, in modern life, have forgotten.

Maryam Bala

And this interplay of self-mastery within a collective framework? That's where these traditions really shine offering complementary insights into what it means to flourish as human beings.

Kwame Otieno Bala

This idea of resilience as more than just individual toughness—it’s been lingering in my mind. Both Stoic and African wisdom seem to circle back to this shared understanding: that resilience isn’t just about "me," but about "us." It’s about drawing strength from our connections, from the communities that shape and support us.

Kwame Otieno Bala

Furthermore I feel like, in Ubuntu, that principle comes through so powerfully. You know, the idea that "I am because we are." It’s this inherent belief that our well-being is tied to the well-being of the people around us. And honestly, when I first really grasped it, something clicked for me.

Kwame Otieno Bala

That’s the beauty of Ubuntu. It offers a way of seeing the world where resilience isn’t solo, it’s shared. And the Stoics hint at this too. Marcus Aurelius often reflected on humanity as one body, interconnected, with each of us playing a part in a greater whole. It’s almost prophetic how these philosophies align.

Maryam Bala

Yeah, it reminds me of something that happened during a hike back in Norway. I was trekking through this mountain trail, and a storm rolled in—one of those sudden, torrential storms where you’re like, "OK, this is happening." For a second, you feel completely alone, isolated in this chaos. But then, I remember this so clearly, you start to notice how others on the trail respond. How people begin to start helping each other. To me, all that seemed like Ubuntu in action. And maybe, in a way, Stoic too, i would add.

Kwame Otieno Bala

That’s such a powerful example, Maryam. It's exactly what we’re talking about today on our veryy first episode, the idea that resilience comes from this shared human experience. And it’s amazing how those small gestures can transform an overwhelming moment. I think Seneca would say that, in helping others, we actually strengthen ourselves.

Maryam Bala

Completely in agreement there. And it’s not just about the immediate actions; it’s about realizing you’re part of something bigger. Even when things feel chaotic, there’s this steadying force in knowing you’re connected to others. That’s where the strength is supposed to comes from, right?

Kwame Otieno Bala

Thats right. And in both Stoicism and traditions like Ubuntu, there’s this recognition that resilience isn’t just about enduring; it’s about flourishing, not despite challenges, but because of how we face the challenges together.

Kwame Otieno Bala

And you know, it’s so refreshing. So much of the modern narrative is about self-sufficiency, "going it alone." But these traditions remind us that resilience isn’t about isolation, it’s about participation. It’s... all communal, you know.

Kwame Otieno Bala

That interplay between individual effort and collective strength, something truly profound, especially in our fragmented times.

Maryam Bala

Building on that sense of collective strength we were just exploring, Kwame, both Stoic and African philosophies also frame justice as a core principle. In Stoicism, justice is about aligning our actions with universal reason, contributing to harmony not just within ourselves but within the society at large. Similarly, African traditions see justice as deeply rooted in community, it’s not just about fairness but about nurturing connections and ensuring no one is left out. It ties back beautifully to this idea of resilience through togetherness, would you agree?

Maryam Bala

Right, and I also think that, you know that that’s such a powerful way to look at it—justice not as a concept floating out there in theory but something you work on with, and for, others. In both cases, there’s this sense of accountability, isn’t there? Not just to yourself but to the people around you.

Kwame Otieno Bala

And what’s interesting, Maryam is that both perspectives offer unique strengths. The Stoics emphasize self-discipline in pursuing justice, while philosophies like Ubuntu remind us that justice is incomplete without community—a kind of balance between individual virtue and collective well-being.

Maryam Bala

Mm, balance. That’s the word for today. And by the way, it’s not just limited to justice, is it? I think that it’s also about character. Like, Stoicism has this almost lazer focus on cultivating virtue, it's as if that’s the one thing nobody can ever take from you. And then you have Ubuntu, which says, “Yes, develop your character, but don’t forget, your character shines brightest through your actions with others.”

Kwame Otieno Bala

I know, right. It’s like Ubuntu adds this external dimension, or rather communal extension. Your character can’t really exist in isolation, if i were to frame it that way. And in practice, that kind of perspective acts as a built-in accountability system. You’re not just building inner resilience; you’re showing up for others in meaningful ways.

Maryam Bala

It makes so much sense, though, right? Because if everyone’s focused only on self-mastery... who’s actually holding the community together? It’s like the African perspective insists that resilience isn’t just personal—it’s communal. That just resonates so deeply for me.

Kwame Otieno Bala

And here’s where the beauty of these traditions really comes alive, in their proverbs and maxims. Take, for instance, the famous Stoic line, “What stands in the way becomes the way.” It’s a call to embrace adversity as a path to growth.

Kwame Otieno Bala

And then you’ve got the African equivalent, something like, “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” The parallels are fascinating, aren’t they? They’re both essentially saying... hardship is necessary. It shapes you and prepares you.

Kwame Otieno Bala

Both traditions converge on this idea that resilience and growth come out of pressure. It’s not about avoiding challenges but facing them with grace—and with community, as Ubuntu would add.

Maryam Bala

Would you say there exits some challenges and misconceptions, Kwame? Because to me, What’s incredible, is how these insights about resilience for example, whether it’s facing obstacles with grace or leaning on community, they all resonate so deeply even today. Here’s the challenge: in trying to bring these philosophies into the modern world, we sometimes risk oversimplifying them, in my opinion. Like when someone reads a Marcus Aurelius quote and suddenly calls themselves a "Stoic warrior," or shares a proverb and declares, "I embody Ubuntu."

Kwame Otieno Bala

Oh goodness, yes! It's like wearing a whole identity without truly understanding the culture or philosophy behind it. Reading two slogans doesn’t make you some kind of sage, you know. It’s like...well, cultural fast food.

Kwame Otieno Bala

And that brings us to the line between respectful adoption and something closer to cultural appropriation. Stoicism and African wisdom traditions aren’t just accessories if i were to be so blunt, they’re ways of life shaped by specific histories and contexts.

Kwame Otieno Bala

And what’s frustrating is this idea that taking from these traditions is just harmless. I mean, there’s a way to engage that’s about learning and integration, but it takes effort. It takes humility.

Maryam Bala

Completely in agreement here. And if we’re talking missteps, another misconception is this idea that Stoicism is all about "going it alone," this radical individualism, while African philosophy is just "group think." That kind of reductionism doesn’t do justice to either tradition.

Maryam Bala

It’s just not accurate. Like, Ubuntu might emphasize community, yes, but it also values the individual's contribution. And Stoicism... it’s not about isolating yourself. It’s about mastering yourself to engage with the world responsibly.

Kwame Otieno Bala

Clearly! Ubuntu says, "I am because we are," and Stoicism teaches self-mastery not for its own sake but to align with reason and community. They’re two approaches with shared goals, responsibility, balance, and harmony among others.

Maryam Bala

And then there’s ancestral veneration, which people sometimes dismiss as, you know, just "placating spirits." But it’s so much more than that. It’s a deeply ethical practice, a way of honoring those who came before us and learning from their lives.

Kwame Otieno Bala

Ancestral veneration if i were to be succint, especially in African traditions, isn’t about mindless rituals. It’s about grounding ourselves in a moral compass, about asking what our ancestors would think of our actions not to mention our choices.

Maryam Bala

Yeah, it’s reflective, right? It’s not just about looking back but using that wisdom to guide us moving forward. And honestly, isn’t that what Stoic journaling is at its core? That daily reflection on how we live and the legacy we want to leave?

Kwame Otieno Bala

Spot on. Both practices—whether it’s journaling or ancestral veneration—encourage us to reflect, to connect, and to strive for betterment. They remind us that our lives are part of a greater narrative, one that spans generations.

Kwame Otieno Bala

And that’s the thing, isn’t it? These philosophies, whether it’s the reflective practices or ethical grounding we just talked about, none was created in a vacuum. They were responses to the challenges of their time. Which makes you wonder—how might they inform us now, with the climate crisis, social injustice, and the breakdown of community structures pushing us to our limits?

Maryam Bala

Kwame, I feel like that’s because they weren’t just dealing with abstract ideas, you know? These weren’t ivory tower musings, i think they were survival guides. Life was unpredictable and tough, and they needed ways to navigate that, not just alone but together. It’s kind of... timeless wisdom for a timeless problem.

Kwame Otieno Bala

Exactly, timeless. And we’re still dealing with unpredictability, just in a more global, interconnected way than they ever could’ve imagined. That’s why practices like journaling—something the Stoics recommended—can be so powerful. It’s about identifying what’s within our control and what isn’t. And once you’ve got that clarity, it’s like an anchor. It grounds you.

Maryam Bala

I love how practical that is. And, you know, it’s not just journaling. African wisdom, for example, gives us those proverbs that you encounter and think, “Oh, that’s lovely,” but then it keeps unfolding layers of meaning. Like, the one about patience—how does it go? Um... "Rain does not fall on one roof alone."

Kwame Otieno Bala

Yes! "Rain does not fall on one roof alone." It reflects this communal perspective—that challenges are shared, and resilience must be collective. Pair that with a Stoic idea, like learning to endure adversity with grace, and you see this beautiful alignment. Together, they remind us that hardship connects us as much as it tests us.

Maryam Bala

And that’s such a powerful reframe, isn’t it? It’s not about running away from the hard stuff—it’s about facing it, together. And when you add Ubuntu to the mix, you realize it’s not just enduring for yourself but showing up for others. That just feels... so human.

Kwame Otieno Bala

It really does. And that’s the beauty of these traditions—they’re offering us tools, but also a deep sense of responsibility. Whether it’s reflective journaling or fostering community bonds, it’s about actively shaping the world we want to see. And let’s be real—that can feel daunting at times, right?

Maryam Bala

Oh, for sure. But it’s also empowering. Like, we get to choose. We can decide how we respond, how we connect. And honestly, isn’t that what it all comes down to? Choosing how to live well, even when life feels unpredictable and messy.

Kwame Otieno Bala

Exactly. These traditions—Stoicism with its focus on inner mastery and Ubuntu with its celebration of interconnectedness—they’re not quick fixes. They’re practices, ongoing and evolving. And that’s what makes them so relevant. They meet us where we are but push us to be better, for ourselves and for each other.

Maryam Bala

That’s such a good reminder. Because philosophy isn’t about knowing all the answers, is it? It’s about committing to the questions, to the process, and finding meaning through that. Like the expedition we’re on, really.

Kwame Otieno Bala

Absolutely. And that’s where we’ll leave you today. Stoic Safari is all about continuing that journey—exploring, reflecting, and growing together. We’re so grateful to have you join us on this path.

Maryam Bala

Yes, thank you for being here with us. Take these ideas, let them sit with you, and, you know, see how they resonate in your life. Together, we’ll keep navigating this terrain, one step at a time.

Kwame Otieno Bala

We’ll see you next time. Stay curious. Stay grounded. And as always, keep exploring.