The human soul
This Stoic handbook intentionally elaborates an imagery of the human soul. On one hand the imagery is fairly obvious. However on the other hand, human nature often prohibits humans from analyzing objectively and rationally. Because of the desires of the human soul, a person can take a biased, emotional position. By becoming more stoic in one's beliefs, one must divorce their mind from the rat race of animal desire and animal happiness. Then, the soul becomes more obvious, says the philosopher.
Animal nature and desire
The first experience of human consciousness is the animal desire that shapes the mental life of a person. Without ever thinking about it, a person is automatically embedded in a matrix of desires and actions. Sometimes, actions seem to lead to desired outcomes, and sometimes they don't. This desire system is experienced as a veil or a false-understanding. The imagery of desire shows that a person believes that they can get what they want in life, but that is simply not the case, says Epictetus. By refusing desire, the true nature of life would become clear.
Fate and judgment
There is a narrative quality to human life, says the Stoic. This quality is shown in the imagery of fate and moral judgment. A person confronted by fate might respond immorally or unethically. This is a judgment against them that leads to mental chaos and suffering, says Epictetus. By accepting responsibility for one's choices and the properties of fate, one can do what the Hindus might call "improving karma." This narrative imagery shows that humans tend to try to out-maneuver and control God. The imagery leads to surrender.
Sublime peace
This imagery is properly transcendental. The quest for peace defines human life, but it is rarely attained. One might think by ceasing desirous actions, they would succumb to hopelessness, but the opposite is shown. By removing one's self from the rat race of animal happiness, by accepting life's inherent suffering and meaninglessness, a Stoic philosopher begins experiencing life with a new imagery: sublime peace. When happiness doesn't depend on external reality, a person is perfectly peaceful.
