Kalokagathia or the ideal of body and soul harmony for the 21st century: become modern demigods and masters of critical thinking quickly and easily
Wellness the old Greek way
Although kalokagathia, the Greek term that combines the words kalós (beautiful) and agathos (good), can have many interpretations and may seem simply "outdated" to many (because the ancient world no longer applies to us...), the opposite is true. If we were to refer to kalokagathia in modern terminology, we could also use the popular word wellness to some extent. And while there are of course many reservations about kalokagathia from the perspective of today's social order (from its close association with militarism to providing a framework for excluding certain groups - and especially women - from society, etc.), at least at its core, the principle of kalokagathia can still be quite inspiring today.
Level 1: Train the body and be like the Spartan warriors
If we disregard all the broad meanings of kalokagathia and measure "only" the level with which the concept is dominantly associated in modern history, it would be sports and physical education. After all, this is a key aspect of the modern Olympic idea, in line with its formulation by Pierre de Coubertin. Similarly, kalokagathia laid a key foundation for the Sokol movement. Today, however, you don't have to be an Olympian or a falconer to come close to the ancient Greek ideal. And in fact, you don't even have to be bodybuilders or professional athletes.
For a start, it is quite enough to find time in your daily routine to move in a way that you enjoy and bring you joy (this in itself is a kind of "balancing" between what you have to do and what you want to do). It can be brisk walks, dancing, boxing... There are no limits to your imagination. The main thing is just to move, as the body deserves our attention too. Not to mention that movement not only makes you look better, but also makes you feel better.
Level 2: Train your mind and become a master of critical thinking
Mental fitness is another key component of kalokagathia. This principle underscores the importance of cultivating intellectual and emotional intelligence, which, especially in this day and age when we are overwhelmed with countless information, seems to be extremely useful. Critical thinking is essentially a beacon of intellectual prowess. It is the ability to analyse, evaluate and connect information - and then make meaningful decisions and solve problems effectively based on the coherent picture that is formed. And since one of the cornerstones of critical thinking is curiosity, don't rest on your laurels and try to seek out new and interesting information.
Zdroj: Giphy
Read. Educate yourself. Discuss. Ask "why?", "how?", and not just "what?"... In ancient Greece, people even gathered at "symposia" where they not only drank together, but also discussed life. Motivating, inspiring and supporting each other. How about today? Meet with friends, perhaps over dinner or wine, and instead of watching what's happening on your mobile phone, talk together. This is another way to hone your ability to discuss and argue. A strong and agile mind and the ability to critically evaluate the information pouring in from all sides are the best weapons against manipulation and fake news, which today, especially on social networks, but also online media are literally overflowing.
Level 3: Work on your mental well-being and "clean up" your head
Cleaning doesn't necessarily have to be about pouring cleaning products on the house or vacuuming. But in a purely figurative sense, these "tools" can come in handy for sorting out chaotic thoughts that don't add to your peace of mind. Because even spirituality and a calm mind have their place within kalokagathia. You can meditate, or simply give yourself a moment of peace where you focus on yourself. Hand in hand with this goes peace from information chaos - no phone ringing, no reading emails and ubiquitous notifications. None of this will bring you peace.
But the absolute foundation is a good night's sleep, which will make everyone feel better and perform better (of course, all of the above are actually necessary for a good night's sleep). And for a good night's sleep to be followed by a good day, you should also have a "why", specifically a "why to get out of bed". But if the search for the "meaning of life" sounds too philosophical for you, it will be enough to reflect from time to time on whether what you are doing fulfils you - and whether it is time for a change...
Although life in today's world can be demanding and chaotic, it is the balance, or finding it in all conceivable aspects, that is de facto the key to practically fulfilling the ancient Greek ideal. The ideal of the harmony of body and soul (even in a purely moral context, so that you don't have to be ashamed to look at yourself in the mirror in the morning) is much more timeless than it might seem at first sight.
