How swimming and Stoic wisdom guide life's uncertainties in later years
A new book explores how swimming and Stoic philosophy can help people navigate life's uncertainties. How is the pool water temperature today, Mr. Seneca?, written by Jung Kang-min in 2025, blends personal swimming experiences with ancient wisdom. The author took up swimming after retirement, discovering lessons in acceptance and focus.
Jung Kang-min started learning to swim later in life, despite having no natural athletic talent. The discipline taught him to accept his physical limits and manage each breath and stroke carefully. This mirrored the Stoic idea of working within one's control rather than resisting what cannot be changed.
Stoic thinkers like Epictetus emphasised accepting events as they unfold, focusing on intention over outcomes. Seneca warned against rushing, urging people to concentrate on perception and action instead. Marcus Aurelius compared life to a flowing river, advising that one must understand the current and swim with it, not against it. Swimming itself reinforces these principles. Accepting the water as it is reduces fear and allows for steady movement. The solitude of the pool, combined with rhythmic breathing, creates a sense of inner calm. For the author, this practice became a way to apply Stoic philosophy to daily life, especially in later years. While the book's reception remains undocumented, Stoicism has gained modern appeal for stress management and self-improvement. Its teachings on resilience and focus resonate in today's fast-paced world, though no specific details link this trend to Kang-min's work.
Kang-min's book connects swimming to Stoic ideas, showing how both teach patience and acceptance. The practice of moving through water, like applying philosophy, offers a way to navigate uncertainty. For those seeking calm in later life, the lessons from the pool—and from ancient thinkers—provide a steady guide.
