"That man has reached immortality who is disturbed by nothing material"

The idea here is that true peace and immortality come from not being affected by material things. It's about finding a state of mind where nothing physical can disturb your inner calm. Essentially, if you can remain undisturbed by the chaos and distractions of the material world, you've achieved a level of peace that feels timeless—like immortality.

Historically, this kind of thinking has roots in various philosophical and spiritual traditions. Think about the ancient Stoics or Buddhist monks. For them, the goal was to rise above the temptations and turbulence of material possessions and external events. They believed that inner peace and wisdom come from focusing on what you can control—your thoughts and actions—rather than being swayed by external circumstances.

Take, for example, Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist. He spent years in Nazi concentration camps where he lost everything—family, freedom, and nearly his life. Yet, through all that suffering, he discovered that the one thing the Nazis couldn't take from him was his ability to choose his response. He realized he could find a sense of meaning and peace within himself, regardless of the horrific external conditions. He famously said, "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves." Frankl's ability to remain undisturbed by his material circumstances is a real-life testament to this quote's truth.

So, how do you apply this wisdom to your own life? Start by taking a step back when you find yourself stressed or upset by something material. Maybe it's a broken phone, a lost job, or even just a rainy day ruining your plans. Ask yourself: "Is this worth my peace?" Practice letting go of the need to control these external things and focus instead on how you can control your reaction. Meditation and mindfulness can be great tools for this. They help you tune into the present moment and detach from the material chaos around you.

Think of Jenny, a friend who's always calm, no matter what. Once, her car broke down in the middle of nowhere. Instead of panicking, she laughed and took it as an opportunity to enjoy a rare moment of stillness. She always says, "It's just stuff. We'll deal with it." Jenny's approach is a perfect example of not letting material disturbances shake your peace. She’s reached a kind of everyday immortality by being unflappable and grounded in what truly matters.

Imagine yourself next time your plans go awry or you lose something valuable, pausing for a second and thinking, "Is this worth losing my peace over?" It's like having a superpower in an increasingly chaotic world. You might find that many things you stress about are just not worth it. You'll feel lighter, calmer, and perhaps a bit more immortal, in the sense that your inner peace remains undisturbed by the fleeting material world.