Build character by practicing virtue and fostering good intent in your decision making. Start by mastering the four cardinal virtues of wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance.
Stoic Virtue Framework: A 4-Step Structure Read More »
Marcus Aurelius reminds us that you can explore the cosmos without claiming to own it — and still live with strength, fairness, and honor inside it.
Marcus Aurelius: An Explorative Agnostic Read More »
30 Phil, Chapter 13, Marcus Aurelius, Touchstone 35: Cognitive Distancing. Cognitive Distancing is a psychological technique where one separates themselves from their thoughts and emotions to gain perspective and objectivity. By viewing thoughts as transient and not necessarily true, individuals can reduce their emotional impact and make more rational decisions. This technique aligns with the Stoic
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30 Phil, Chapter 13, Marcus Aurelius, Touchstone 34: Negative Visualization. It is not external events, but our thoughts about them, that cause distress. Many of us don’t truly appreciate our family, friends, and possessions so visualizing their absence increases appreciation for them. Negative visualization finds a modern counterpart in “defensive pessimism,” a cognitive strategy in
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30 Phil, Chapter 13, Marcus Aurelius, Touchstone 33: Cognitive Reframing. Cognitive Reframing: an Ancient Stoic “CBT” Technique: Cognitive reframing is a modern therapeutic technique employed in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of psychotherapy, and it has its philosophical roots in ancient Stoic thought, and Zeno himself is behind it. Emotions are not arbitrary or
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94 Generations Ago Zeno is considered the founder of the Stoic school of philosophy. When events occur in life, people react. Life is a series of events and immediate reactions. A stoic introduces a third middle step, a judge step. On their life journey, a stoic strives for a series of event-judge-react experiences. When you introduce
Zeno of Citium (334-262 BCE) Read More »
81 Generations Ago The stoic philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca the Younger has the distinction that more of his writings survived the test of time and is therefore a valuable primary source for stoic philosophy. Some of my favorite translated Seneca quotes: Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. All cruelty springs from weakness. Religion is
Seneca the Younger (4 BCE – 65 CE) Read More »
Epictetus stressed that philosophy is a way of life and not simply analytical. The stoic philosopher Epictetus was cited by Marcus Aurelius in his Meditations. Epictetus was one of the future emperor’s teacher’s during childhood up to the age of 14. Although no writings by Epictetus are known, his students documented his beliefs and sayings
Epictetus (50-135 CE) Read More »
99 Generations Ago Socrates was a Greek philosopher and is frequently credited as the founder of Western philosophy. He left no writings, but his student Plato documented his philosophy. Some of my favorite translated sayings attributed to Socrates: Enjoy yourself — it’s later than you think. He who is not content with what they have
Socrates (469 – 399 BCE) Read More »
76 Generations Ago 30 Phil, Chapter 13: Marcus Aurelius and Stoicism Some of my favorite translated meditations include: Learn to be indifferent to what makes no difference. The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.
