Stoic Meditations

Seneca says that being able to do without luxuries is but a small and easy step toward virtue. And yet so many of us have much trouble taking that  step. Have you? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca advises Lucilius to think, but not to worry, about the future. It is reasonable to plan for things to come and to act in the best way possible. So long as we don't delude ourselves into thinking that we actually control outcomes. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus Aurelius takes the long view of things in order to remind himself that whatever troubles us so much right now will soon be over, one way or another. This isn't nihilism, but rather the conscious adoption of a healthier perspective on human affairs. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Think of practicing philosophy as going to the gym: sure, you can do a lot on your own. But if you choose a good partner to keep you focused on the task, you'll see more steady improvement. So, who's your virtue buddy? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca says that some people are interested in studying philosophy not to improve their souls, but to sharpen their wits. Time to reflect on what, exactly, we are doing and why. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca says that we have enough sustenance without resorting to blood, and that a habit of cruelty is formed whenever butchery is practiced for pleasure. Something to meditate on a bit. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca and Epictetus agree: the best way to resist temptation is to avoid it altogether, because it's hard to practice temperance, at least initially. Modern cognitive science agrees. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Cicero explains a classic Stoic paradox: only the wise person is free, while everyone else is a slave. To what? To externals that they think are indispensable for their happiness, and yet lay outside of their control. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca briefly tells us both how to approach philosophy, and how not to. Are you a passive consumer of the stuff, or are you looking to become a better human being? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca says that associating ourselves with a philosopher we cannot help but learning something that may change our lives. So today try to get a friend or relative into philosophy. You'll be doing some good for the whole human cosmopolis. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Is Stoicism about going through life with a stiff upper lip? No, but enduring what cannot be changed is part of the philosophy. Modern Stoic Larry Becker called it the "axiom of futility." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds us that, regardless of how terrible a problem or event appears to be right now, plenty of others have gone through something similar before. They can be an inspiration to us to overcome whatever is happening in the same way. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Without knowing about modern psychological research, Epictetus figured out that we all too easily fool ourselves. Here are three Stoic techniques to at least partially remedy the problem. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Cicero explains that we may lose any external good, because it isn't truly ours, but rather on loan from the universe. However, our judgments, considered opinions, and consciously embraced values are truly ours and cannot be taken away. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca talks about the premeditatio malorum, an exercise that allows us to be mentally prepared for possible negative outcomes of our action. The key to it is to engage your reasoning faculty, not your emotional reactions. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca uses a metaphor of life as a journey, or as a trip to the thermal baths, to make the point that obstacles will be thrown our way, either on purpose or by accident. The question is: how do we deal with them? --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca anticipates modern social psychological research in arguing that keeping oneself busy for the sake of being busy does not lead to happiness. On the contrary. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus Aurelius joins Seneca in his rejection of anger as a valid or effective motivator of human action. We should, instead, be moved to act by positive triggers, such as a sense of justice, or duty, or love. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca explains why not doing wrong is your best bet toward achieving serenity of mind. Of course, it's also the virtuous thing to do. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca gives a disturbing list of reasons why we kill each other. Most of them are precisely the kind of negative emotions that Stoic training is attempting to move away from. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support