PHYSICAL, PRACTICAL REMINDERS FOR THE PHILOSOPHY OF STOICISM
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Learn more about the famous Stoic philosophers and their wise, practical teachings.
The Early Years Of Epictetus: From Slavery To Stoic Educator
Born around 50 AD in Hierapolis, Phrygia (modern-day Pamukkale, Turkey), Epictetus came into the world as property of another man. Even his name 'Epictetus', derived from the Greek word "ἐπίκτητος"...
Never Cease To Ask "Why"
“Why” is one of the most important questions that anyone can ask, and can continue to ask, in daily living.The simple three-letter word provides the magnifying glass that looks into...
Taming Fire: The Stoics On Anger
At some point today, you will likely feel the jolt of anger. It might be on your commute home when someone cuts you off in traffic, or during an unpleasant...
The Ego Hates Being Content And At Peace, But Why?
In the context of modern culture, the ego is often very partially defined as “big-headedness” or feeling superior or inferior to what you actually are. However, this is just one...
The Politician, The Writer, And His Final Act
In his later years, Seneca the Younger walked a rare line between the edge of immense political power and deep philosophical introspection. Beyond his philosophical writing, Seneca’s political career and...
Are You Living With The World’s Worst Roommate?
If you have ever lived away from home, maybe for a job, for college or university, you might have experienced a pretty terrible roommate one time or another. In fact,...
Distinguishing Between Ancient Wisdom And Pop Culture Emotionlessness
Stoicism, an ancient philosophy originating from Greece, is finding its way back into the limelight of modern culture. Yet, as with many teachings that are revived or repurposed for contemporary...
Experiment: Act As If You Have Already Arrived
One extremely interesting life experiment to try is, at least for a little while, to act as if you have already arrived at your destination, not as if you have...
The Early Years Of Seneca The Younger
In the heart of the Roman Empire, in what's now modern-day Spain, Lucius Annaeus Seneca was born in 4 BC. This child, known to us now as Seneca the Younger,...
How To Journal Like A Stoic
Epictetus once asserted, "An unexamined life is not worth living."If we’re living in the world without reflecting and meditating on our actions and virtues, we’re missing an opportunity to live...
Want Your Mind to Cooperate? Stop Trying to Discipline It.
In a culture which is obsessed with disciplining, controlling and manipulating the mind in a number of ways, this may seem like a very counterintuitive idea.We are under the common...
The Making Of A Philosopher
Before Marcus Aurelius donned the golden laurel wreath as the Roman Emperor, he was a seeker of wisdom, a diligent scholar, and a curious young man growing up in the...
The Weekly Stoic: What Is The Flow State?
The flow state - or “the zone” as it is sometimes referred to - is the experience of being completely immersed in an activity. It can occur in any creative...
Don't Let Perfect Be The Enemy Of Good
Why do we often find ourselves tangled in a net of perfectionism? Because we’re afraid to fail. The Stoics reminded us of the perils of focusing solely on the destination and...
Who Am I?
You may have heard one time from some guy with a long white beard that ‘all is oneness’. Or perhaps that your very nature is peace. Or that you are...
A Day In The Life Of Emperor Marcus Aurelius
Marcus Aurelius ruled the Roman Empire (161-180 AD) as a philosopher-king, deeply rooted in the principles of Stoicism. But even with his considerable power, he led a life of simplicity and...
The Gift Of Giving
We all know that it can get difficult in there sometimes. Mental health is finally becoming less of a stigma, and it is saving men and women alike from having...
What You Are Used To Vs What Is Right
As human beings, most of the time, we like to think that we are right. After all, if we knew that we were definitely wrong about something, we would almost...
Modern Stoics
Stoicism has gained mainstream popularity due to its practical applicability in handling stress, adversity, and emotional turmoil. It's a philosophy rooted in accepting life's challenges, understanding what is within our...
The Stoic's On Charity
The Stoics took a pragmatic approach to money and how it can improve the world.For the Stoics, hoarding unnecessary wealth was seen as impractical and immoral. That isn’t to say...
I Don’t Mind What Happens Vs I Don’t Care What Happens
There is a crucial difference between these two phrases. One can completely relieve you from a life of stress, anxiety, worry and fear. The other can lead down a bit...
From Slave To Philosophical Giant
Born in AD 50 in present-day Turkey, Epictetus spent much of his life in Rome as a slave. This experience had a profound impact on his philosophy and outlook on...
Do Your Thoughts Bother You?
Whether they be slightly bothersome thoughts from time to time or complete mind attacks that some people experience, thoughts can be one of the most, if not the most, powerful...
Reframing Negativity
In the face of life's inevitable struggles, we often find ourselves at a loss for how to respond. Stoic philosopher, Epictetus, offers valuable guidance on coping with adversity and discovering...
The Hero's Journey — Illusions And Pitfalls
The Hero’s Journey is an archetypal story pattern in which the main character conquers challenges, finds purpose, defeats enemies and becomes the idealised version of themselves. The hero is the centrepiece...
The Deeper Wisdom Of Memento Mori
How often do you think of the phrase "Memento Mori"? This solemn reminder, "remember that you will die," has reverberated through the ages, becoming a cornerstone of Stoic thought. Yet, these words...
Marcus Aurelius And Living In The Present Moment
It's easy to lose ourselves in the endless torrent of information and distractions that bombard us daily. Which makes the lessons of the Stoics and Marcus Aurelius more relevant than...
The Stoic Approach To Accepting Fate
Let's first address the elephant in the room: accepting fate is hard. It's especially difficult when the things that happen to us in life are painful, tragic, or unfair. It's...
The Art Of Non-Attachment
The human mind is a powerful tool that can create both joy and suffering. Many of us have been conditioned to believe that our happiness is dependent on external circumstances...
Practicing Acceptance
Life is unpredictable, and naturally, we encounter events that we may not want or enjoy. How many times have you been running late, only to find yourself caught in traffic...
Societal Expectations And Personal Fulfillment
From an early age, we're told to strive for success, wealth, and status, often at the cost of our personal fulfillment. Just look at the recent wave of burnout experienced by...
Inner Freedom And Outer Success
We all aspire to achieve success in our personal and professional lives, but at what cost? Do we compromise our inner peace and freedom in the pursuit of success? Inner freedom...
Freeing Yourself From Your Samskaras
As we discussed last week with the Introduction to Samskaras email, samskaras are formed from our past experiences and are stored in the unconscious mind.They are essentially mental or emotional...
The Indian Philosophy Term That Is Running Your Life
“Your baggage dictates your life”.The term Samskara is a word from Sanskrit which describes the stored energy patterns that are kept stored deep within us and that often dictate our...
The Power Of Now
The primary theme of Eckhart Tolle’s book, “The Power of Now”, is that only the present moment is real and meaningful and everything else but the present is a distraction...
Self Respect And Stoicism
Joan Didion's essay "On Self Respect" explores the importance of self-respect in one's life and how it can be cultivated and maintained.At the core of Didion's argument is that self-respect is essential...
Stoic Justice And Social Media
The Stoic concept of justice is a powerful tool for understanding our obligations to each other in the digital world we live in today. At its core, the Stoics conceptualized...
New Year Wisdom From Zeno Of Citium
As we begin the new year, it's always helpful to have some guidance and perspective on how to make the most of the coming months. One person whose wisdom has...
The Mindful Stoic
Stoicism and Mindfulness have both become increasingly popular in recent years. Both approaches focus on the present moment and the cultivation of inner peace and calm, but there are some...
On Starting Over
The concept of starting over is an often overlooked gift in our fast-paced, goal-oriented society. We are constantly told to strive for success and to never give up, but sometimes...
Year-End Gratitude
As the year comes to a close, many of us neglect to take the time to reflect on the past 12 months and give thanks for the good things in...
The Stoic Concept of Apatheia
Apatheia, often translated as "imperturbability" or "tranquility," is a state of being free from negative emotions and passions. That doesn’t mean that the Stoics believed in suppressing or denying their...
What is The View From Above in Stoicism?
What is The View From Above in Stoicism?"Think of the universal substance, of which thou hast a very small portion; and of universal time, of which a short and indivisible...
Best Stoic Quotes: The Most Famous Quotes From Stoic Philosophy
Best Stoic Quotes: The Most Famous Quotes From Stoic Philosophy"Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle. Some things are within your control. And some things are...
Who was Epictetus? A Guide to the Slave-Turned-Stoic-Philosopher
Who was Epictetus? A Guide to the Slave-Turned-Stoic-Philosopher“A man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things.”- EpictetusWho was Epictetus? Epictetus is one of...
What are the Stoic Virtues? A Guide to the 4 Cardinal Virtues of Stoicism
What are the Stoic Virtues? A Guide to the 4 Cardinal Virtues of Stoicism“The soul that companies with virtue is like an ever-flowing source. It is a pure, clear, and...
Who was Seneca? A Complete History of the Stoic Statesman
Who was Seneca? A Complete History of the Stoic Statesman“The wise man is neither raised up by prosperity nor cast down by adversity.”- SenecaWho was Seneca? Seneca was a Roman statesman,...
Who was Marcus Aurelius? A Complete History of the Philosopher King
Who was Marcus Aurelius? A Complete History of the Philosopher King“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.”- Marcus AureliusWho was Marcus Aurelius? Marcus Aurelius was...