Practical Stoicism (Tanner Campbell)

Do you take credit for your deeds? Do you note them down in a sort of "Virtue ledger"? I think most of us do from time to time. In today's meditation, Marcus encourages himself (and us) to be more like a grape vine. Which will only make sense if you listen. -- Try 3 Fit Theory Shirts : https://link.stoicismpod.com/three-fit-theory -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays) : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack : https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join our free Discord community : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join our Stoic Journaling Program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do Stoics pray? Do they? How is Stoic payer different than traditional Christian prayer (for example)? -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join our Stoic Journaling Program: https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How much do we care that something is benefiting Nature? -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join our Stoic Journaling Program: https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/zeno Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I just think he's wrong, partially, on emotions. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join our Stoic Journaling Program: https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, you! Yeah you; you thankless philosopher! Have you been grateful to your King lately? -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays) : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack : https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join our free Discord community : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join our Stoic Journaling Program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's meditation is #23 from Book #4. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seneca on distractions in the form of, well, anything. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join our Stoic Journaling Program: https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's philosophy, then there's wasting time. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join our Stoic Journaling Program: https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/zeno Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meditation #43 from Book #4 Leonidas' article: https://stoicismpod.com/the-stoic-philosopher-and-the-spartan-revolution -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we’re covering meditation #4 from book #1 of Meditations and in it, we are going to hear why Marcus was thankful to Rusticus. Quintus Junius Rusticus was a Roman teacher and politician. He was probably also a grandson of Arulenus Rusticus, who was a prominent member of the Stoic Opposition. If you’ve not heard of the Stoic Opposition, boy oh boy will you be in for a treat when we get to that fireside chat. Now that you have little background on ol’ Rusticus, let’s jump into the meditation. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tanner Campbell converses with Michael Tremblay, an MMA fighter, writer, and co-creator of Stoa Stoic Meditations app. They delve into several topics, including the role of sport and exercise in addressing rage and anger. Michael Tremblay shares his insights on the practice of martial arts, particularly Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and its philosophical alignment with Stoicism. He emphasizes how martial arts were his first exposure to explicit moral education, teaching not just physical skills but also the importance of character development, self-control, and ethical behavior. Discussing anger, Tremblay highlights the Stoic perspective, as outlined by Seneca, which views anger as a reaction to perceived harm that demands punishment. He distinguishes between two types of anger: the immediate, reactionary kind often experienced in daily frustrations, and a deeper, more persistent anger stemming from significant personal betrayals or grievances. Tremblay notes that while physical activities like martial arts can effectively mitigate the immediate, reactionary anger, they are less effective in addressing deeper, long-standing feelings of rage or betrayal. He explains how Stoicism helps navigate these emotions by encouraging a present-focused mindset, acknowledging past mistakes while striving to change and improve. In dealing with regret, Tremblay and Campbell agree that while Stoicism advocates for acceptance and moving forward, it also acknowledges the natural feelings of sadness and shame that come with regret. They underscore the importance of understanding and transforming these feelings constructively, focusing on the present and future actions rather than dwelling on past errors. The conversation also touches upon Epictetus, his background as a slave, and his philosophical teachings. Tremblay provides insights into Epictetus's approach to teaching young Roman men destined for politics or industry, emphasizing the importance of not just learning philosophy but living it. In summary, the podcast highlights the value of physical disciplines like martial arts in managing immediate anger and stress, while recognizing the need for philosophical reflection and self-improvement in addressing deeper emotional issues. The discussion reinforces the Stoic principles of focusing on present actions, accepting the past, and continually striving for personal growth and ethical living. -- Become a Patron: https://stoicismpod.com/members Check out Neurohacker: https://neurohacker.com/practical Podcast Artwork by Randy Johnson: https://originalrandy.com Stoa Conversations: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7wHSqUf6BZDIUBDu0YgAAs Stoa Meditation App: https://stoameditation.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

(I said book two in the recording, but it is Book 4) The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius - Book 4, Meditation 5 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Healthy Masculinity vs Toxic Masculinity; don't let the topic put you off, I promise you've not heard this before. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Welcome to Season 2 of Practical Stoicism! When I started this podcast in January 2022, I knew very little about Stoicism. Fast forward to today, and the podcast now averages around 4 million plays a year. Along the way, I've written over half a million words on Stoicism, co-authored a book, and gained recognition as a Stoic philosopher within the academic community. With all this growth and learning, I realized that some of the early episodes of this podcast may not be as accurate or insightful as I'd like them to be today. Rather than delete them, I've moved all 233 of those episodes into Season 1, creating a clear division between where I started and where we’re headed now. So, what can you expect from Season 2? I've learned that most of you appreciate a mix of ancient wisdom straight from the source, coupled with informed interpretations on how to apply that wisdom in contemporary life. You’re not necessarily strict Stoics, but rather individuals from diverse backgrounds looking for practical insights to incorporate into your own life philosophies. In Season 2, I'll continue to provide practical Stoic advice while also diving deeper into the ancient theories and how they can be applied today. The podcast will remain a place for practical guidance, while my weekly digital print publication at stoicismpod.com/print will explore more advanced Stoic concepts for those who want to go further. We’re starting this new season by revisiting the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, beginning with Book 2. This is a reboot, and I’m bringing all the knowledge I’ve gained since the podcast began. I hope you enjoy this refreshed journey into Stoicism. Thanks for being here. -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take the free course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We demand things of our leaders, but what do we demand of ourselves as leaders and as individuals with various duties? -- Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Read articles on our Substack : https://stoicismpod.substack.com Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss Meditation 7 from Book 2 of Meditations, where Marcus Aurelius advises us to give ourselves moments of quiet to focus on learning something good, while also warning against aimlessness. I explore how modern distractions—whether from media, politics, or content creators—are constantly vying for our attention. Marcus’ advice to focus on "something good" can be interpreted as learning about virtue, which helps quiet the noise of the world. Alternatively, it can mean focusing on something personally meaningful, not driven by fear of missing out, but chosen for its value. However, Marcus cautions that even when we think we are focusing on something good, we must beware of aimlessness. Those who live without broader goals, Marcus says, waste their lives in trivial pursuits. I analyze how this warning applies to modern content that distorts Stoicism, particularly hyper-masculine and red-pill ideologies that mislead young men by portraying women as distractions. These misguided ideas lead people to chase false solutions to non-existent problems, wasting time and attention. The meditation emphasizes that distractions are not external forces, but a result of our lack of attention management. A Stoic response is not to eliminate external influences, but to strengthen inner resolve and temperance. Marcus reminds us that a Stoic should not allow external events, like a breakup, to compromise moral character. Instead, the Stoic improves, recognizing that virtue is the only true good, and distractions—whether relationships or the noise of society—are indifferent unless we let them affect us. "Do things from outside break in to distract you? Give yourself a time of quiet to learn some new good thing and cease to wander out of your course. But, when you have done that, be on your guard against a second kind of wandering. For those who are sick to death in life, with no mark on which they direct every impulse or in general every imagination, are triflers, not in words only but also in their deeds." - Meditations 2.7 -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take the free course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're working through Meditation 12 from Book 2 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode you'll hear the second meditation of Marcus Aurelius. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're diving into letter #69 of Seneca's letters to Lucilius, which begins: "I do not like you to change your headquarters and scurry about from one place to another. My reasons are, – first, that such frequent flitting means an unsteady spirit. And the spirit cannot through retirement grow into unity unless it has ceased from its inquisitiveness and its wanderings. To be able to hold your spirit in check, you must first stop the runaway flight of the body." You can find the full text of letter #69 here: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Moral_letters_to_Lucilius/Letter_69 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I open up about my own health challenges, sharing that while I am "blood healthy", I am also carrying around some excess weight. This personal context sets the stage for a broader discussion on health and Stoicism. I emphasize that taking care of our bodies is generally morally appropriate, but our approach to health must be contextually related to our abilities and circumstances. Stoicism teaches that the moral judgment of our approach to health is not linked to outcomes but to the moral reasoning guiding our actions. I discuss the importance of balancing our roles and ensuring they do not conflict with one another. Using the example of a university student named David, I illustrate how different roles must be fulfilled in harmony, without one undermining another. David’s approach to health is contextually appropriate, balancing his roles as a student, family member, partner, friend, and aspiring Stoic. I also address the misconceptions promoted by some "Stoic" masculinity influencers, who wrongly associate Stoicism with physical prowess and aggressive masculinity. True Stoicism is about logically understanding reality and making just moral choices, not about meeting arbitrary physical standards. The key takeaway is that while physical health is an indifferent, our choices regarding health are not. Making contextually appropriate efforts toward health is a reflection of our moral character. I urge listeners to be honest with themselves about their efforts and to avoid using Stoic concepts as excuses for inaction. Join me as I explore the intersection of health and Stoicism, and how we can make virtuous choices to support our well-being. -- Become a Patron : https://stoicismpod.com/members Download the Stoicism260 app : https://stoicism260.com Subscribe to the Newsletter : https://practicalstoicism.net Enroll in the course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Join the Society of Stoics : https://societyofstoics.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Register for the Justice in the Cosmopolis event on February 12th: https://as.wisdomunlocked.org Today's episode: Meditation #49 from book #4 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode of Practical Stoicism, I delve into a challenging question often posed by newcomers to Stoicism: "If the Stoic Sage is purely aspirational, what motivation do we have to work on our character?" Addressing this, I explore why striving for unattainable ideals, such as perfect health or the perfect dinner, remains essential, despite their inherent impossibility.  I draw parallels between the pursuit of excellence in various fields—be it medicine, fitness, or culinary arts—and the philosophical journey toward becoming a better Stoic. This episode unpacks the importance of perpetual improvement and how it enriches our lives and professions, despite the certainty that perfection is unachievable.  I also challenge the notion that the unattainable nature of sagehood undermines the value of Stoicism. By embracing the continuous pursuit of virtue, we acknowledge that while perfection is a myth, the journey toward it is filled with meaningful growth and self-improvement. Join me as I argue that the quest for a virtuous life, much like life itself, is about valuing the journey, not just the destination. -- Become a Patron : https://stoicismpod.com/members Download the daily app : https://stoicism260.com Subscribe to the Newsletter : https://practicalstoicism.net Enroll in the course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Join the Society of Stoics : https://societyofstoics.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I delve into the concept of identity from a Stoic perspective, prompted by recent thoughts and experiences. I discuss how we often identify with various subordinate identities, such as our gender, profession, nationality, or personal preferences, and how these can sometimes overshadow our true identity. I propose that, according to Stoic philosophy, we all share a single Cardinal Identity: Human Citizen of the Cosmos. This identity transcends all subordinate identities and unites us as part of a greater whole. I explore the potential pitfalls of over-identifying with our subordinate identities, which can lead to division and a narrow view of ourselves. Through this discussion, I aim to shift the focus from these subordinate identities to our shared Cardinal Identity. By recognizing and embracing this Cardinal Identity, we can better fulfill our roles and contribute to the greater good of the cosmopolis. Join me as I explore how understanding our true identity can help us live more virtuous and fulfilling lives, and how we can balance our various roles and characteristics without losing sight of our shared humanity. -- Share your thoughts : https://stoicismpod.com/ai Become a Patron : https://stoicismpod.com/members Download the Stoicism260 app : https://stoicism260.com Subscribe to the Newsletter : https://practicalstoicism.net Enroll in the course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Join the Society of Stoics : https://societyofstoics.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Book 4, Meditation 3 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I'm having a friendly discussion with Donald Robertson, author of the book "How to Think Like a Roman Emperor" and the new graphic novel "Verissimus" (illustrated by talented Portuguese artist Zé Nuno Fraga), about Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, and all sorts of other things I didn't necessarily expect. Donald was traveling so the audio on his end is a bit poor, but the discussion, I hope, will more than make of up for it. Enjoy! Donald's Graphic Novel "Verissimus" : https://amzn.to/3Wxybk4 Donald's Book "How to Think Like a Roman Emperor" : https://amzn.to/3Uls14U -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, I delve into the Stoic approach to selecting a career or job, offering insights tailored for both high school students and adults. I stress the significance of assessing existing roles, ethical considerations, and personal motivations when embarking on the job search journey. Throughout the discussion, I provide practical advice on salary negotiation, benefits evaluation, and company research. Above all, I emphasize the Stoic principle of fulfilling one's duties in service to broader concerns, guiding listeners on integrating Stoic principles into their job search process. -- Become a Patron : https://stoicismpod.com/members Download the daily app : https://stoicism260.com Subscribe to the Newsletter : https://practicalstoicism.net Enroll in the course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Join the Society of Stoics : https://societyofstoics.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Let us cease to desire that which we have been desiring. I, at least, am doing this: in my old age I have ceased to desire what I desired when a boy. To this single end my days and my nights are passed; this is my task, this the object of my thoughts, – to put an end to my chronic ills. I am endeavouring to live every day as if it were a complete life. I do not indeed snatch it up as if it were my last; I do regard it, however, as if it might even be my last." -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's meditation is #30 from Book #4. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every step you take, every move you make, every breath you take, every vow you break, SENECA will be watching you. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode we'll be reading and going over the fifth meditation from Book Three of The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius.  -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're working through Meditation 11 from Book 2 of The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us on Clubhouse this week for something different. Here's how to do that: 1 - Download the Clubhouse app on iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/clubhouse/id1503133294 or Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clubhouse.app 2 - Create an account on the Clubhouse app 3 - Join the Practical Stoicism "Club" here: https://www.clubhouse.com/club/practical-stoicism-podcast That's it. From the Practical Stoicism Club page you should be able to see our schedule events. Add them to your calendar and then join at the appropriate time. Looking forward to this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're working through Meditation 10 from Book 2 of The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's meditation, we explore Meditation 2.4 from Book 2 of the Meditations. The conversation centers around the inevitability of death, the urgency of utilizing the present moment, and the Stoic approach to perceiving and appreciating life on Nature’s terms. Meditation Quoted: "Remember how long you have been putting off these things, and how many times the gods have given you days of grace, and yet you do not use them. Now is it high time to perceive the kind of Universe whereof you are a part and the nature of the governor of the Universe from whom you subsist as an effluence, and that the term of your time is circumscribed, and that unless you use it to attain calm of mind, time will be gone and you will be gone and the opportunity to use it will not be yours again." — Meditations, 2.4 -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take the free course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Apparently this episode got uploaded only in part. I'm sorry it took me nearly a month to realize it (been busy with the new baby), but this is the full episode. Thanks for letting me know and for being patient. In today's episode of "Practical Stoicism," I tackle the deeply personal and often challenging topic of improving self-esteem. At its core, low self-esteem is a lack of self-approval, a revelation that can evoke a powerful emotional response in many of us. As we delve into this subject, I guide you through an introspective journey, starting with the acknowledgment of our self-disapproval and moving towards understanding and eventually overcoming these feelings. By differentiating the aspects of ourselves that we disapprove of for our own reasons versus those influenced by external expectations, we embark on a path to genuine self-acceptance. This episode not only seeks to deepen your understanding of self-esteem from a Stoic perspective but also to provide practical steps towards cultivating a healthier relationship with yourself. -- Become a Patron: https://stoicismpod.com/members Join the Secret Society of Stoics: https://secretsocietyofstoics.com Download Stoicism260: https://stoicismpod.com/app Subscribe to the newsletter: https://practicalstoicism.net/subscribe Pre-order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Plant some trees: https://stoicismpod.com/trees Podcast Artwork by Randy Johnson: https://originalrandy.com Umberto Eco's "On Ugliness": https://amzn.eu/d/7ASfkXw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode we'll be reading and going over the fourteenth meditation from Book Three of The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks for listening. The most valuable thing you can do if you appreciate our content, is support us in some way. Below are some of the best (free and paid) ways to do that. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join the Stoic Path and deepen your Stoic practice: https://link.stoicismpod.com/path #6: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/stoicism today to get 10% off your first month. Try the best brain fuel on earth. Use PRACTICAL to save 15% at checkout at https://neurohacker.com/practical Try AG1 at https://athleticgreens.com/practical Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss Meditation 17 from Book 2 of Meditations, where Marcus Aurelius reflects on the transient and uncertain nature of life. Marcus reminds us that our lives are brief and unpredictable, with the physical and spiritual aspects of existence constantly in flux. In the face of this, Marcus asserts that only Philosophy can serve as our guide through life, providing us with the means to keep our spirit unharmed, act with purpose, and accept the inevitable changes and dissolution of Nature without fear. Marcus highlights the importance of focusing on the present moment, the only time we truly have control over. While the past can inform our decisions, and the future must be considered for virtuous planning, neither should overwhelm the present. By living according to a guiding philosophy—one that emphasizes virtue, rationality, and alignment with Nature—we ensure that our choices lead us closer to the Good. I also explore how adopting a coherent and virtuous philosophy, like Stoicism, helps us frame our actions and emotions, avoiding the pitfalls of nihilism or harmful ideologies. "Of man's life, his time is a point, his existence a flux, his sensation clouded, his body's entire composition corruptible, his vital spirit an eddy of breath, his fortune hard to predict, his fame uncertain. Briefly, all the things of the body, a river; all the things of the spirit, dream and delirium; his life a warfare and a sojourn in a strange land, his after-fame oblivion. What then can be his escort through life? One thing and one thing only, Philosophy. And this is to keep the spirit within him unwronged and unscathed, master of pains and pleasures, doing nothing at random, nothing falsely and with pretence; needing no other to do aught or to leave aught undone; and moreover accepting what befalls it, that is, what is assigned to it, as coming from that other world from which it came itself. And in all things awaiting death, with a mind that is satisfied, counting it nothing else than a release of the elements from which each living creature is composed. Now if there is no hurt to the elements themselves in their ceaseless changing each into other, why should a man apprehend anxiously the change and dissolution of them all? For this is according to Nature; and no evil is according to Nature." - Meditations 2.17 -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Join the Discord Community : https://stoicismpod.com/discord Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take my free courses : https://stoicismpod.com/courses Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this enlightening episode of "Practical Stoicism," I delve into the profound realization that the search for purpose and meaning in life becomes increasingly urgent as we age. I explore the journey from the invincibility felt in youth to the mature quest for fulfillment, highlighting the importance of discovering a purpose that transcends the expectations of others. Drawing on the wisdom of Stoic philosophy and the teachings of Epictetus and Agrippinus, I've come to understand that true purpose is a deeply personal voyage towards enlightenment, free from the constraints of conformity and rebellion. Join me as I navigate the path to uncovering our individual essence through the lens of Stoicism, offering insights into how to lead a life marked by virtue and excellence. -- Become a Patron: https://stoicismpod.com/members Subscribe to the weekly newsletter: https://practicalstoicism.net/subscribe Pre-order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Download Stoicism260: https://stoicismpod.com/app Podcast Artwork by Randy Johnson: https://originalrandy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode we'll be reading and going over the eleventh meditation from Book Three of The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss Meditation 8 from Book 2 of Meditations. Marcus Aurelius reflects on how people rarely suffer from not understanding the thoughts of others but are bound to suffer if they don’t observe their own thoughts. I explain how spending too much time worrying about what others think leaves us no energy to examine our own thoughts and work toward virtue. This meditation is not about ignoring others, but rather about prioritizing our mental energy wisely. We can care for others, but we must avoid wasting time on trivial judgments about why someone acts a certain way or holds an opinion about us. I tie this to a broader Stoic understanding of how most people are "sick" with ignorance, often chasing material desires or misconceptions about what is good. This lack of understanding causes people to live in private worlds of delusion, where their judgments are skewed by false perceptions. Stoicism, on the other hand, teaches that the only true good is virtue, and once we embrace that understanding, we gain clarity on how lost most people are. By focusing on our own character and its alignment with virtue, we avoid the misery that comes from spending too much time concerned with the faults of others. "Men are not easily seen to be brought into evil case by failure to consider what passes in another's soul; but they who do not read aright the motions of their own soul are bound to be in evil case." - Meditations 2.8 -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take the free course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we'll be working through the 8th meditation from book 2 of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius - Book 4, Meditation 13 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I examine Meditation 16 from Book 2 of Meditations, where Marcus Aurelius reflects on the ways in which a person’s soul—or daemon, in Stoic terminology—can harm itself. Marcus lists five key actions that damage the soul, emphasizing that such harm occurs when we act contrary to Nature and our rational purpose. The first way we harm ourselves is by separating from Nature, acting as though we are independent of the Universe’s interconnected system. The second is by turning against others with the intent to harm, which undermines our duty to cooperate within the Cosmopolis. Third, we damage ourselves when we allow pleasure or pain to control our actions, forsaking rational decision-making for hedonism or avoidance. Fourth, we harm our character by engaging in lies or fostering illusions, as these actions habituate vice. Finally, we cause harm when we act without purpose, neglecting our roles and responsibilities within society. Marcus reminds us that living in alignment with Nature requires continuous effort and self-reflection. This meditation highlights the Stoic commitment to personal accountability and the importance of cultivating a virtuous character. "The soul of a man does violence to itself, first and foremost when it becomes so far as in it lies, a separate growth, a blain as it were upon the Universe. For to turn against anything that comes to pass is a separation from Nature, by which the natures of each of the rest are severally comprehended. Secondly, when it turns away from any human being or is swept counter to him, meaning to injure him, as is the case with the natures of those who are enraged. It violates itself, thirdly, when it is the victim of pleasure or pain; fourthly, when it acts apart, and says or does anything both feignedly and falsely. Fifthly, when, failing to direct any act or impulse of its own upon a mark, it behaves in any matter without a plan or conscious purpose, whereas even the smallest act ought to have a reference to the end. Now the end of reasonable creatures is this: to obey the rule and ordinance of the most venerable of all cities and governments." - Meditations 2.16 -- Go ad-fee for life : https://stoicismpod.com/lifer Get a free signed copy of my book : https://giveaway.whatisstoicismbook.com Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take the free course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Book #4, Meditation #38 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this first episode of Season 2, we dive into one of my favorite meditations from Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 2.1. I’ll be using the Farquharson translation throughout this season, and today, I’m excited to get started. Meditation Quoted: "Say to yourself in the early morning: I shall meet today inquisitive, ungrateful, violent, treacherous, envious, uncharitable men. All these things have come upon them through ignorance of real good and ill. But I, because I have seen that the nature of good is the right, and of ill the wrong, and that the nature of the man himself who does wrong is akin to my own (not of the same blood and seed, but partaking with me in mind, that is in a portion of divinity), I can neither be harmed by any of them, for no man will involve me in wrong, nor can I be angry with my kinsman or hate him; for we have come into the world to work together, like feet, like hands, like eyelids, like the rows of upper and lower teeth. To work against one another therefore is to oppose Nature, and to be vexed with another or to turn away from him is to tend to antagonism." -- (Meditations, 2.1) In this episode, I explore how Marcus’s reflection captures the essence of Stoicism by reminding us of the importance of viewing others with compassion, even when they act out of ignorance. We are all striving toward Virtue, and acknowledging our shared imperfections can foster a deeper sense of unity and purpose. I also discuss the Stoic concepts of Virtue, the Unity of Virtue, and the idea that no one does wrong knowingly. These ideas challenge us to reconsider our judgments of others and ourselves, recognizing that everyone is acting from their own perceived understanding of what is right—even if that understanding is flawed. Finally, I leave you with two questions to ponder and discuss in the comments: How well do you balance your service to the greater good with your own personal well-being? And how do you manage the conflict between your higher ideals and the distractions of daily life? -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take the free course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we'll work through the third meditation of Book 3 from the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius where we'll explore what might happen after death, and how, in either case, it shouldn't be feared. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss Meditation 12 from Book 2 of Meditations, where Marcus Aurelius reflects on the transient nature of life, death, and the things we often fear or desire. Marcus emphasizes that everything in the Universe is impermanent, including our bodies, desires, and even the monuments we create. These fleeting aspects of life, he suggests, should be seen as trivial or “cheap” when compared to the pursuit of virtue. Marcus also contemplates death, framing it not as something to be feared but as a natural and necessary part of the Universe’s self-sustaining design. Death is not just Nature’s handiwork; it is her well-being—a crucial component in maintaining balance. By accepting death as a fundamental part of the Cosmos, we can shift our focus from fearing mortality to embracing a life aligned with our values. Marcus further encourages us to consider who we look to for praise and honor, questioning whether their judgments align with virtue or merely societal vanity. In Stoic philosophy, the true aim of life is not to evade death but to live justly and virtuously. By understanding death as a natural phenomenon, we can resist the urge to abandon our values out of fear. Instead, we stand firm in the pursuit of a life that honors virtue, regardless of life’s brevity. "How all things are vanishing swiftly, bodies themselves in the Universe and the memorials of them in Time; what is the character of all the things of sense, and most of all those which attract by the bait of pleasure or terrify by the threat of pain or are shouted abroad by vanity, how cheap, contemptible, soiled, corruptible, and mortal:—these are for the faculty of mind to consider. To consider too what kind of men those are whose judgements and voices confer honour and dishonour; what it is to die, and that if a man looks at it by itself and by the separating activity of thought strips off all the images associated with death, he will come to judge it to be nothing else but Nature's handiwork. But if a man fears Nature's handiwork he is a mere child; and yet death is not merely Nature's handiwork, but also her well-being. To consider also how mortal man touches God and through what organ of himself, and when that part of him is in what sort of condition." - Meditations 2.12 -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take the free course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Practical Stoicism, dear Prokopton, I’m glad you’re here. Today we’re jumping into letter 80 of Seneca’s moral letters to Lucilius. "To-day I have some free time, thanks not so much to myself as to the games, which have attracted all the bores to the boxing-match. No one will interrupt me or disturb the train of my thoughts, which go ahead more boldly as the result of my very confidence. My door has not been continually creaking on its hinges nor will my curtain be pulled aside; my thoughts may march safely on, – and that is all the more necessary for one who goes independently and follows out his own path. Do I then follow no predecessors? Yes, but I allow myself to discover something new, to alter, to reject. I am not a slave to them, although I give them my approval." -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this practical episode of "Practical Stoicism," I delve into the critical art of forming good habits, a cornerstone of personal growth and self-improvement. Starting with a deep dive into the nature of bad habits—those that are not chemical addictions or compulsions but rather result from habituated choices—I draw from the profound insights of Epictetus on the realms of choice and control. I emphasize that our actions and behaviors are within our grasp, aiming to guide you through the transformative process of becoming your best self by making deliberate choices. By clearly distinguishing between what is within our control and what is not, I set the stage for overcoming undesirable habits. With wisdom from Chrysippus and practical strategies for reshaping our behavior, this episode offers a Stoic roadmap to replace chronic behaviors with virtuous habits, guiding you on a transformative journey towards self-discipline and enlightened character development. -- Become a Patron: https://stoicismpod.com/members Plant some trees: https://stoicismpod.com/trees Download Stoicism260: https://stoicismpod.com/app Subscribe to the newsletter: https://practicalstoicism.net/subscribe Pre-order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Podcast Artwork by Randy Johnson: https://originalrandy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode features meditation #6 from Book 2 of the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I delve into the concept of fate within Stoic philosophy, a topic that often sparks varied opinions. The Stoics believed in a deterministic universe, where a physical causal chain dictates the flow of events. However, this idea can feel restrictive, suggesting that nothing we do could be otherwise. I explore how we can view this deterministic outlook as both true and untrue, using Chrysippus' analogy of the cylinder and the cone to illustrate how we react to external forces based on our unique 'shapes.' I explain the Stoic distinction between corporeal and incorporeal things, proposing a similar division within the causal chain: a physical chain we cannot control and a metaphysical chain influenced by our rational choices. Despite the Stoic belief that the mind and its processes are physical, I introduce the concept of 'lekta' or sayables, which are incorporeal yet impactful. I argue that choices, like lekta, are incorporeal outcomes of physical processes, influencing the physical world. This episode suggests that while fate may seem predetermined, our choices play a crucial role in shaping the future. We are co-authors of our destiny, and recognizing this power is essential for the pursuit of Virtue. Join me as I navigate this intricate discussion, challenging the idea of a finalized fate and emphasizing our role in co-authoring what happens next. -- Become a Patron : https://stoicismpod.com/members Download the daily app : https://stoicism260.com Subscribe to the Newsletter : https://practicalstoicism.net Enroll in the course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Join the Society of Stoics : https://societyofstoics.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Letter #3 of Seneca's letters to Lucilius (link to source, below). -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you came across Stoicism in the early 2010's (as I did) you likely heard something about a coffee mug shattering into a million pieces and how you could use this analogy to deal with death and loss. That probably didn't make a lot sense to you at first - it may have even seemed insane. There's something to this caffeinate analogy, though - and there's something practical we can extract from it to apply in our daily lives. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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In today's episode, I tackle the enduring Stoic principle that "Virtue is its own reward." This exploration is a personal journey into the heart of Stoicism, examining whether this ancient wisdom holds true in our contemporary lives, and I won't shy away from getting a bit salty or taking some swipes along the way. We begin with Meditation 11.4 as our focal point, which encourages us to reflect on our contributions to the common good and to find contentment in these efforts as our reward. This meditation is the springboard into a deeper discussion about the role of Virtue in our lives. I openly acknowledge the practical realities of living by Stoic virtues. If I weren't compensated for producing this podcast, I simply wouldn't be able to do it. This admission leads us to the crux of today's topic: how to apply Stoic Virtue in our everyday existence. While Stoicism places Virtue as the highest good, it doesn't ignore the modern complexities we all navigate. I critique the notion that to live a Stoic life, one might need to adopt an ascetic lifestyle, devoid of personal belongings or societal ties. However, this view aligns more with Cynicism than Stoicism. Stoicism doesn't advocate for unnecessary hardship but rather for a meaningful life, where challenges are seen as opportunities for growth, not as goals in themselves. The discussion challenges the misconception that Stoics should live in extreme self-denial. Stoicism recognizes our natural human desires, emphasizing that it's possible to want things, be part of a community, and pursue goals that positively impact the Cosmopolis, or the global community. At its core, today's episode reveals that Stoicism teaches Virtue is indeed its own reward, but this doesn't mean withdrawing from the world. Virtue manifests through our actions, decisions, and our influence on our Circles of Concern—the people, animals, and environment we interact with. Stoics are encouraged to live lives that harmonize personal ambitions with the collective good, always acting with the welfare of the community in mind. The key takeaway is that Stoicism is about active participation in life, not seclusion from it. It's about chasing what we want, within reason, and contributing to society in meaningful ways. Stoicism doesn't force us to choose between living virtuously and living fully; it suggests that a truly good life includes both. Remember, it's about being a Human Being, appropriately, engaging with the world, pursuing Virtue, and finding fulfillment in the good we do for both others and ourselves. -- Become a patron: https://stoicismpod.com/members Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greetings, listeners. It's remarkable to witness our community's growth, now exceeding 100,000 listeners every Monday and Friday. Your continued support is truly appreciated. Today's episode delves into a thought-provoking query posed by Griff, a dedicated listener and Patron, regarding the relevance of personality types within the context of Stoicism. Griff questions whether such classifications confine individuals rather than foster personal development. From my perspective, I maintain a degree of skepticism towards these systems. They often serve as tools for self-indulgence rather than avenues for genuine self-improvement. However, I do recognize their practical applications. They can provide valuable insights into our behaviors and guide therapeutic interventions. While these systems may offer useful insights, it's crucial not to allow them to define us. Instead, we should view them as tools for self-reflection and growth. Let's utilize them wisely, not as rigid identity markers, but as resources for enhancing our understanding of ourselves and facilitating personal development. -- Become a Patron: https://stoicismpod.com/members Pre-order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Podcast Artwork by Randy Johnson: https://originalrandy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I examine Meditation 14 from Book 2 of Meditations, where Marcus Aurelius reflects on the nature of time and the present moment. Marcus emphasizes that we cannot lose the past, as it no longer exists, nor the future, as it has yet to arrive. The only thing we can truly lose is the present moment, which is fleeting and finite. He reminds us that regardless of the length of one’s life, everyone loses the same thing in death: the ability to exist in the present. This meditation encourages us to focus on the now without disregarding our responsibilities to others and the Cosmopolis. While the present moment is the only time we can act, we must also consider the impact of our actions on the future. A Stoic life involves planning and considering our role in society, rather than becoming isolated or overly focused on personal resilience. Marcus’ reflections also critique the tendency to reduce Stoicism to simplistic, individualistic ideas that ignore its foundational emphasis on service and community. "Even were you about to live three thousand years or thrice ten thousand, nevertheless remember this, that no one loses any other life than this which he is living, nor lives any other than this which he is losing. Thus the longest and the shortest come to the same thing. For the present is equal for all, and what is passing is therefore equal: thus what is being lost is proved to be barely a moment. For a man could lose neither past nor future; how can one rob him of what he has not got? Always remember, then, these two things: one, that all things from everlasting are of the same kind, and are in rotation; and it matters nothing whether it be for a hundred years or for two hundred or for an infinite time that a man shall behold the same spectacle; the other, that the longest-lived and the soonest to die have an equal loss; for it is the present alone of which either will be deprived, since (as we saw) this is all he has and a man does not lose what he has not got." - Meditations 2.14 -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take the free course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anya Leonard is my friend and one of my heroes. She's built something really incredible over the last 10-years (ClassicalWisdom.com) and I think it is as important a contribution to mankind as was Britannica compiling the great works of Western literature - she has create a "great works" platform and she provides it for free to everyone. This makes her not just a friend and a hero but also a comrade in arms. In today's episode you'll learn about Anya, some of her history, what inspired her to start Classical Wisdom more than a decade ago, and also about an upcoming talk she's giving at the Plato's Academy Centre on philosophy and kids. -- Classical Wisdom: https://classicalwisdom.com Greek Classics Course: https://courses.classicalwisdom.com Plato's Academy Event: https://philosophyandchildren.eventbrite.ca Become a Patron: https://stoicismpod.com/members Pre-order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Podcast Artwork by Randy Johnson: https://originalrandy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get the "Straight to the Point" version of this podcast: https://stoicism.supercast.com  In this week's episode we'll be reading and going over the seventh meditation from Book Three of The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anya Leonard, creator of Classical Wisdom and Classical Wisdom for kids, is filling in for me today because my wife and I just had our first baby, THIS MORNING, and Anya is a dear friend who wants to help ensure I get a "paternity" leave. Thanks Anya! Everyone, please check out https://classicalwisdom.com to learn more about Anya, the First Philosophers, and other cool stuff from the Classical Age. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Was "Seneca Tragicus" Seneca the Youngers ultimate form? Maybe! In this week's letter we talk about tragedy and trauma. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Leave us a one-time tip of support : https://stoicismpod.com/tip Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Read our articles on Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Of him that brought me up, not to be fondly addicted to either of the two great factions of the coursers in the circus, called Prasini, and Veneti: nor in the amphitheatre partially to favour any of the gladiators, or fencers, as either the Parmularii, or the Secutores. Moreover, to endure labour; nor to need many things; when I have anything to do, to do it myself rather than by others; not to meddle with many businesses; and not easily to admit of any slander." Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 1.2 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Book #4, Meditation #35 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're working through Meditation 14 from Book 2 of The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Register for the Justice in the Cosmopolis event on February 12th: https://as.wisdomunlocked.org Today's episode: Meditation #52 from book #4 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this primer episode for Season 2, I introduce the reboot of the podcast. If you're new here, welcome—I'm excited to have you join this journey. This season is not a reimagining but a refresh, building on the knowledge I've accumulated since I first started this podcast in 2022. While Season One was an exploratory beginning, Season Two aims to dive deeper into the Stoic canon with greater insight and understanding. In this episode, I explain some key Stoic vocabulary you'll need to know, such as "Prokoptôn," "Virtue," "sage," "impression," and "assent." I also discuss the Stoic concepts of "Good," "Bad," and "indifferents," clarifying common misconceptions about Stoicism and how it guides us in making moral choices. Additionally, I touch on the Stoic Circles of Concern and introduce my Pyramid of Concern, a tool I developed to help us better understand and prioritize our roles and responsibilities in the context of Stoic ethics. Finally, I discuss the Dichotomy of Control—or, as I prefer to call it, the Dichotomy of Choice—emphasizing the importance of focusing on what we can choose and letting go of what we cannot. This season will revisit the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius, starting with Book 2, Meditation 1. Together, we'll explore Stoic philosophy in a way that is both deep and accessible, aiming to help you progress on your path toward Virtue. Thanks for being here, and I'm looking forward to this journey with you. See you next week! -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take the free course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Book #4, Meditation #37 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're working through Meditation 15 from Book 2 of The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's meditation is #22 from Book #4. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Book #4, Meditation #32 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Good morning, Prokoptôn. In today's episode, I'm responding to a question from a Spotify listener named Blarka. The question is about how to think of or celebrate a birthday that coincides with the death of a brother or sister. This is a thoughtful question with a sad context, but it's an important topic. While Stoicism views death as an indifferent in terms of developing Virtue, it acknowledges the emotional impact it has on us. It's essential to remember that Stoics are allowed to have emotions. First, I discuss the Stoic perspective on death. For Stoics, death doesn't signify the end of everything. Instead, it's part of a continuous cycle of endings and beginnings. The "spark of divine reason" within us doesn't cease to exist when our bodies expire. Next, I address the specific issue of feeling conflicted when trying to celebrate on a day also marked by loss. It's natural to feel this way, but it's crucial to examine what our actions on these days say about our character. Celebrating and mourning simultaneously doesn't inherently make either action inappropriate. The appropriateness of our behavior depends on the logic and reasoning behind it. In conclusion, I suggest finding a balanced approach to marking the day of a great loss. This might involve spending time remembering the lost loved one and then allowing yourself to celebrate with friends and family. The key is to ensure that your actions align with reasoned and virtuous thinking. Thank you for listening, and I hope this discussion provides some intellectual value and practical guidance. -- Become a Patron : https://stoicismpod.com/members Download the daily app : https://stoicism260.com Subscribe to the Newsletter : https://practicalstoicism.net Enroll in the course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Join the Society of Stoics : https://societyofstoics.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius - Book 4, Meditation 9 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode we'll be reading and going over the thirteenth meditation from Book Three of The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meditation #44 from Book #4, and a listener question about marriage and divorce. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius - Book 4, Meditation 10 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we'll work through the final meditation of Book 2 from the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of "Practical Stoicism" delves into the concept of Oikeiôsis, focusing on how to identify the aspects of life one should actively concern themselves with. I emphasize the distinction between caring about something and actively concerning oneself with it. Drawing from Stoic philosophy, the episode unfolds in four steps: #1 - Realize that you're human: Acknowledging that my most proximal concerns must be for ourselves and other humans. The Stoic perspective asserts that our ethical concerns must follow this order: self > family > friends > community > humanity > non-human animals > biosphere #2 - Identify your strengths, weaknesses: Recognizing our strengths and weaknesses to make informed choices about where to direct our concerns. This involves assessing whether we are financially, physically, or mentally equipped to engage in specific actions. #3 - Identify the roles you cannot unchoose: Recognizing roles and responsibilities that are inherent, non-negotiable, or arise from our choices. Balancing these roles with new concerns to ensure harmony and avoid abandoning essential responsibilities. #4 - Choose what you want: Empowered to freely choose concerns based on personal desires, keeping in mind the logical and rational defense developed through previous steps. This step ensures that our choices align with our strengths, limitations, and existing roles. The episode concludes with the freedom to choose without shame, armed with a rational understanding of personal limitations and priorities. The host encourages listeners to share their chosen concerns on Spotify, fostering a community of inspiration and diverse perspectives. -- Become a patron of this podcast : https://stoicismpod.com/members Check out Neurohacker and save : https://neurohacker.com/practical Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode we will be covering Meditation #1 from Book #1 of Meditations: "From my grandfather Verus: the lessons of noble character and even temper." -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Book 1, Meditation 5. Marcus thanks Apollonius. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Letter #38 from Seneca -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius - Book 4, Meditation 6 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Book #4, Meditation #34 (and a question from a listener) -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode of "Practical Stoicism," I explore the concept of living simply, not in the sense of minimalism as it's often portrayed—with a focus on physical belongings and a Scandinavian design aesthetic—but in the realm of simplifying our thoughts and, by extension, our lives. While Stoicism isn't about adopting an aesthetic of minimalism, it does advocate for simplicity over complexity in many aspects of life. I delve into how living simply, in a Stoic sense, means focusing on what truly matters, reducing unnecessary mental clutter that leads to physical clutter. By reflecting on Seneca's admiration for Scipio Africanus's modest bathhouse, I illustrate the beauty of simplicity and the Stoic pursuit of focusing on essentials. This episode challenges contemporary culture's superficial grasp of ancient philosophies and invites you to embrace true simplicity by prioritizing virtue and rational choices over material excess. -- Become a Patron: https://stoicismpod.com/members Download Stoicism260: https://stoicismpod.com/app Subscribe to the newsletter: https://practicalstoicism.net/subscribe Pre-order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Plant some trees: https://stoicismpod.com/trees Podcast Artwork by Randy Johnson: https://originalrandy.com Letter 86 from Seneca: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Moral_letters_to_Lucilius/Letter_86 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, I delve into Book 11 of Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations," focusing on a meditation (Meditations 11.1) that sheds light on the concept of service to ourselves and others. This passage from Marcus Aurelius profoundly illustrates the properties of the rational soul: it has the capacity to see and analyze itself, and to shape its own existence according to its will. What's unique about the rational soul is that it enjoys the fruits of its own actions, unlike plants and animals, whose fruits are enjoyed by others. I explore the idea that the rational soul reaches its own end, regardless of the lifespan of its host. This concept is intriguing because, unlike a play or dance that requires completion to be whole, the rational soul is complete and fulfilled at every moment of its existence. This completeness is intrinsic and does not depend on the duration of life. Diving deeper, I discussed how humans possess a level of consciousness that can interrupt the universe's rationality, creating a reality where the naturally existing rational faculty in humans must be actively leveraged for us to live in accordance with our nature. This brings us to the concept of the madman, the Prokoptôn (the one who is progressing or aspiring Stoic), and the sage. The madman is oblivious to reason and rationality, the Prokoptôn is aware and striving to align with their rational nature, and the sage is the embodiment of perfect rationality. I emphasized that the realization of our rational soul is a choice. We can either let our untamed consciousness overpower our true nature, or we can choose to be Prokoptôn, using our rational faculties to embody the natural reason of our soul. The rational soul, once fully realized, sees its existence as a state that cannot be improved upon and does not require additional time to validate or qualify its existence. Furthermore, I touched upon the interconnectedness of the rational soul with the universe. The idea that the rational soul, part of the universal reason, is connected to everything in existence implies a natural kinship with all beings and things. This perspective challenges the often misunderstood notion of Stoicism as solely a philosophy of individualism and resilience. Instead, it underscores our interconnectedness with the universe and all its inhabitants, urging us to value the universal rational soul and, by extension, everything in existence. In closing, I invited listeners to reflect on how this discussion might alter their understanding of Stoicism and to share their thoughts. This episode aimed to bring to light the deeper, more spiritual aspects of Stoicism, moving beyond the popular interpretations to explore its profound universal implications. -- Become a Patron : https://stoicismpod.com/members Check out Neurohacker and save : https://neurohacker.com/practical Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius - Book 4, Meditation 17 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I explore the complex relationship between Stoicism and the concept of equality. While the title may be partly clickbait, it also highlights a significant discussion on how Stoicism views equality and justice. I delve into how modern society has become disconnected from coherent moral reasoning, driven largely by raw emotions rather than philosophical principles. This episode is not an excuse to dismiss fairness or justice; rather, it's a call to understand these concepts through the lens of Stoic philosophy. I discuss the definition of equality as a state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities, and examine how practical implementation can become complicated. Using a hypothetical scenario about medical school admissions, I illustrate how well-intentioned ideas can quickly become complex. From a Stoic standpoint, I explain that you cannot please everyone and that individuals cannot control whether others are pleased. However, Stoicism also emphasizes the importance of caring about injustices and treating others justly and fairly. I address the misconception that Stoicism promotes a dismissive attitude towards those who suffer injustices. True Stoicism requires us to pursue Virtue, which involves knowing our role in the Cosmopolis, treating others justly, and showing appropriate concern for those within our circles. Listeners are challenged to consider how they respond to injustice, both when they witness it and when they experience it themselves. Stoicism does not advocate for virtue signaling or acting viciously in response to injustice. Instead, it calls for reasoned and virtuous choices, regardless of outcomes. Finally, I clarify that while Stoicism is not concerned with the outcome of equality, it cares deeply about the virtuous choices we make in relation to it. The pursuit of Virtue should guide our actions and concerns, not the pursuit of specific outcomes. -- Become a Patron : https://stoicismpod.com/members Download the daily app : https://stoicism260.com Subscribe to the Newsletter : https://practicalstoicism.net Enroll in the course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Join the Society of Stoics : https://societyofstoics.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you alone with a bad man? How about a bad woman? You shouldn't be! Listen to learn more about this vague advice! -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

-- Become a Patron: https://stoicismpod.com/members Pre-order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Podcast Artwork by Randy Johnson: https://originalrandy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't fool yourself into believing you're to busy to be connected with other members of the cosmopolis in a meaningful way. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Leave us a one-time tip of support : https://stoicismpod.com/tip Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Read our articles on Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode of Practical Stoicism, I'm thrilled to bring back Professor William Stephens for a deep dive into Oikeiôsis, the theme of this month. We delve into its ancient Stoic roots and its relevance in contemporary life, exploring how it helps us understand what is truly ours to be concerned with. Oikeiôsis, a term that signifies the recognition of what is akin or appropriate to us, extends our concern beyond ourselves to our family, community, humanity, and the entire biosphere. Professor Stephens clarifies that while Oikeiôsis is a uniquely Stoic term, its principles are universally applicable, emphasizing our interconnection with all living things and the wider world. Our conversation also tackles misconceptions of Stoicism, highlighting that it's not merely a life hack or a path to personal success but a profound guide for ethical living and community engagement. We discuss how Stoicism, especially through the concept of Oikeiôsis, informs our sense of justice and moral duty, urging us to consider our roles and responsibilities within the vast network of relationships that define our lives. As we conclude, we touch upon the critical issue of environmental responsibility, linking the Stoic view of Oikeiôsis to contemporary concerns like global warming. This episode is a reminder that Stoicism, with its emphasis on virtue and common good, offers timeless wisdom for navigating the complexities of modern life and contributing positively to the world around us. Join us as we explore these ancient yet ever-relevant ideas and how they can inspire us to lead more thoughtful, interconnected lives. -- Become a Patron : https://stoicismpod.com/members William's book : https://a.co/d/9U5511N William's Santa Claus article : https://read.actualstoicism.com/p/is-santa-a-stoic Check out Neurohacker and save : https://neurohacker.com/practical Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sagan's Mote of Dust: https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/when-earth-became-a-mote-of-dust  In this week's episode we'll be reading and going over the tenth meditation from Book Three of The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't be alone, don't be with the crowd either - be with someone who makes you ashamed to act badly in their presence. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Leave us a one-time tip of support : https://stoicismpod.com/tip Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Read our articles on Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I attempt to give the Stoic position on violence. This will likely warrant a broader discussion with others, perhaps a future fireside chat. Zeno's (Not Plato's) Republic : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_(Zeno) -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this first episode of a 17-part series on Book 2 of the Meditations (Marcus Aurelius), I'll attempt to derive some practical advice and application from Marcus's first meditation. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius - Book 4, Meditation 14 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Who is the current Roman Emperor? Okay, so the Roman Empire no longer exists -- but if it did, who would have rightful claim to the throne? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I begin by correcting a mistake I made about the word "Prokoptôn," clarifying that it is the singular form, not the plural. We then dive into Meditation 5 of Book 2, which focuses on acting with precision, dignity, love, freedom, and justice in every moment, as if it were your last. I break down the importance of being aligned with nature and explain how Marcus Aurelius emphasizes the need to be in awe of the Cosmos, rather than "god-fearing" as some translations might suggest. I also touch on how we should fulfill our roles and responsibilities according to our nature, using the Stoic principle of Oikeiosis to live a life aligned with the Cosmos. "Each hour be minded valiantly as becomes a Roman and a man to do what is to your hand with preciseness . . . and unaffected dignity natural love freedom and justice; and to give yourself repose from every other imagination. And so you will if only you do each act as though it were your last freed from every random aim from willful turning away from the directing Reason from pretense self-love and displeasure with what is allotted to you. You see how few things a man need master in order to live a smooth and godfearing life; for the gods themselves will require nothing more of him who keeps these precepts." - Meditations, 2.5 -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take the free course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, I delve into the profound theme of Forgiveness within the framework of Stoicism, a topic that resonates deeply with both my personal experiences and the Stoic principles I strive to embody. I commence with a note of gratitude towards new Patrons – Dan Brann, Jenny Kay, and Jay – whose support is instrumental in dedicating myself fully to this podcast. For those contemplating joining our Patreon, it offers an ad-free listening experience, exclusive articles, discussions with special guests, and a vibrant private Discord community. The essence of today's discourse on Forgiveness is drawn from a personal narrative – my journey of forgiving my mother, a path marked by decades of hurt, distance, and ultimately, reconciliation. This story illustrates not just a personal struggle but encapsulates the Stoic view on external events and our control over them. My childhood, marred by broken promises and absent visitations, laid the groundwork for years of resentment towards my mother. However, the Stoic practice of accepting things beyond our control and focusing on our reactions played a pivotal role in navigating this tumultuous relationship. Forgiveness, from a Stoic perspective, is intricately tied to the understanding and acceptance of human imperfection, including our own. It is not merely about absolving others but recognizing the limitations within which everyone operates. This realization does not come swiftly or easily; it is a gradual process of internalizing and genuinely believing in the fallibility of all humans, including those who might have wronged us. The episode breaks down Forgiveness into three actionable steps rooted in Stoic philosophy: Acknowledging our lack of control over others' actions and their inherent imperfections. Internalizing this understanding to a degree where it informs our belief system and reactions. Adjusting our expectations to align with the reality of human imperfection, thereby reducing the likelihood of disappointment. This framework for Forgiveness, though not explicitly outlined in Stoic texts, draws inspiration from Stoic principles, particularly the reflections of Marcus Aurelius on self-awareness and mutual human fallibility. In conclusion, Forgiveness, as discussed in this episode, transcends the personal and delves into the philosophical, offering a Stoic approach to dealing with one of the most challenging aspects of human relationships. It's a reminder of the power of acceptance, the importance of adjusting our expectations, and the virtue of empathy towards ourselves and others. -- Become a Patron: https://stoicismpod.com/members Pre-order my book: https://stoicismpod.com/book Podcast Artwork by Randy Johnson: https://originalrandy.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices