Stoicism is often accused of counseling to suppress emotions. This quote from Seneca clearly shows it doesn't. Then again, we don't want to wallow in grief and let it paralyze us, because we have duties toward the living. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds us that one of the simplest and cheapest of pleasures is to engage in a continuous conversation with the best minds humanity has ever produced. By reading a (good) book. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca suggests that we should change our attitude toward being busy: don't surrender yourself to your affairs, but loan yourself to them and you will live a happier life. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca says that for many people the furnishings of their lives are more than enough, but they keep wanting more, thus dooming themselves to unhappiness and turmoil. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca clarifies one of the famous Stoic paradoxes: no, you shouldn't live every day as if it were your last. But you should live every day to the fullest because you don't know which one will be your last. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds Lucilius that a full human life is about being useful, and particularly about helping others. Sure, you can withdraw from the world and live in peace, but then you are arguably already dead. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus tells us that, regardless of how people around us behave, we should keep following our moral compass, just like an emerald keeps its color regardless of what others are doing. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus engages in a short dialogue with one of his students, asking him a trick question. How would you answer the question of whether pleasure is a good thing, something to be proud of? Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Musonius Rufus articulates the Stoic equivalent of "no pain, no gain," in part as a rebuke to the Epicureans. Engaging in social and political life is painful, but it's the right thing to do. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca is critical of the fact that many ships are required to convey the requisites for a single meal, bringing them from no single sea. Still today so many people indulge in pleasures that cost a lot and cause much environmental damage. Time to revise our priorities about where our food comes from? Become a supporter of this podcast:https://a ...…

Let's talk about the ancient Roman goddess Fortuna, or what the Greeks called Tyche, to whom Seneca often refers in his letters to Lucilius. Why does she play such an important role in Stoic philosophy? Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca argues that we want joy in life, and we want it to last. And yet, we insist in seeking it in all the wrong places, from ephemeral pleasures to the fickle praise of others. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca claims that flattery is a subtle enemy of our work toward becoming better persons. Too readily we agree with those who tell us that we are good, sensible, holy even. What's a good attitude toward praise, then? Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds Lucilius that we can't relegate our quest for becoming better persons to intervals between indulgences. It's like going to the gym: you have to do it regularly and often, or you won't get the benefits. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca says that the wise person (and, by extension, the practitioner of Stoicism) will deal with poverty, sorrow, disgrace or pain, because she is alert and fortified, ready to treat adversity as a way to improve her character. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support…

Seneca tells Lucilius that old age is natural and to be welcomed. So long as it maintains our mind in working order. If that's not the case, then the Stoics prefer to exit through the open door, as virtue itself becomes impossible to practice. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support…

Seneca reminds us that we have some power to make our body last longer, by exercising temperance in our pleasures. Enjoy your next meal, just don't over do it. And remember, Stoics drink wine, but they don't get drunk. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus Aurelius reminds us that there is no difference between acting according to nature and according to reason. What did he mean? Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

According to Epictetus philosophy gets started when we are genuinely interested in why people disagree about things. Not in terms of factual matters, which empirical evidence can settle, but about values and how we should think about the world and therefore act in it. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support…

Seneca tells Lucilius that he welcomes knowledge from all fields, not just philosophy. That's why he wrote books on natural questions, including on the nature of comets, earthquakes, thunderstorms, and the causes of the flooding of the Nile. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support…

Seneca tells Lucilius that we need rest and relaxation, but we can exercise virtue even in our choice of how we relax and entertain ourselves. Consider how you refresh your mind, the next time you pick a movie or organize a vacation! Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support…

Seneca quotes the Pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus to the effect that everything changes all the time, panta rhei. It follows that it is futile to get attached to things, including our own bodies. Enjoy what you have, but consider it a temporary loan from the cosmos. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support…

Marcus Aurelius talks about being helpful to society. And yet he was an emperor who waged war and presided over slavery. How do we reconcile his actions with his Stoicism? At least in three ways, explored in this episode. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

A splendid example of Epictetus' sarcasm by way of a bit of dialogue with one of his students. In the course of which we learn about the virtue of practical wisdom, the discipline of desire, and the dichotomy of control. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca nicely explains what a proto-emotion is, and we discuss how proto-emotions can then develop into fully formed healthy or unhealthy emotions. It all comes down to what cognitive judgment we apply to our initial response. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support…

Seneca reminds us that real tranquillity comes from a relaxed mind with a clear conscience. Which is why Stoics engage in an evening meditation on the major events of the day, learning from their mistakes, and filing them away before going to sleep. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support…

Seneca challenges the common assumption that someone is self-sufficient if he has enough money, a nice place to live, and so forth. True self-sufficiency requires serenity, which comes from inner strength, not from externals. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support…

Seneca agrees with Epicurus: death is a state of non-existence, therefore we do not feel anything, and there is nothing to be afraid of. Moreover, it is no different from the aeons before we were born, and we don't regret those, do we? Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support…

Seneca tells us that philosophy, understood as a way of life, cannot be relegated to spare moments. Just like someone can't be a Christian only on Sunday mornings, so a Stoic applies her principles at every opportunity, big or small. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support…

Seneca advices his friend Lucilius to pay attention to people who act right, not just talk right. When we pick a role model to improve our character, let's pick someone whose actions we want to imitate, they are a better guidance to virtue. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support…

Seneca argues that we can force Fortuna, the goddess of luck, to deal with us on equal terms, by not being slaves to external things we cannot control. Cultivate equanimity, and Fortuna will play fair with you. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus Aurelius gives some commonsensical advice on how to interact with other people, which leads us to a brief discussion of what counts as "Stoic" advice in the first place. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus reminds his students that engaging in a wrong act, even one done in response to an injustice, stains our own character, and therefore hurts us first and foremost. Stoics don't favor retributive justice systems. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds us of the distinction between unhealthy and healthy emotions: being overwhelmed by the first ones tears us apart internally, while cultivating the second ones brings harmony to our psyche. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Musonius Rufus, in an implicit rebuttal to the Epicureans, reminds us of all the things that is worth experiencing pain to achieve, most importantly being a good, just, and temperate person. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca gives rare advice on one's abode. It should be a place that does not get in the way of practicing virtue, which means neither too uncomfortable (if we can avoid it) nor too luxurious or distracting. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca disagrees with Epictetus: the first says that philosophy is a pleasant medicine, the second that it is a painful one. And yet they agree that it is a remedy that, taken regularly, makes for a wholesome life. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca says that more often than we realize we blame our problems on the time and place we live in, without understanding that the fault may be with us, and that we should work on ourselves, instead of finding excuses. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca argues that we are born with the ability to reason and to improve our reasoning. We are also naturally social, and prefer virtue over vice. Hard to believe, right? And yet, he's got a point. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca argues that it is the quality, not the duration, of one's life that is important, and that we often live long when measured in years, and yet too little in terms of what we accomplish. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

A straightforward quote by Epictetus allows us to reflect on what a philosophy of life is, and why everyone needs one. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca says that he'd prefer to be told how to help people, rather than how many different meanings of the word "people" there may be. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Life is hard as it is, says Marcus Aurelius, there is no need to make ourselves more miserable by adding unnecessary opinions that increase our suffering. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus introduced a major innovation in Stoic ethics with his theory of roles. We are first and foremost members of the human cosmopolis. But also fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, friends, colleagues. How do we balance the conflicting demands of such diverse roles in life? Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditatio ...…

Seneca reminds us that we can't live happily if we transform everything into a question of our own utility. We must live for your neighbour in order to live for ourselves. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Marcus provides us three options for what sort of thing is truly good for you, and argues that a person of understanding will go for the third one. Have you reflected on what is good for you, and why? Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Epictetus advises us to forgo issues of material resources and remember that family relationships in great part define who we are. After all, if we can't practice virtue with our brothers, sisters, and parents, with whom can we practice it? Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support…

Seneca says that if we are going after the satisfaction of lust, greed, ambition, and so forth, we make ourselves slaves to fortune. Not so if we regard what we have as loans from the universe, which the universe can take back at any moment, by any means. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support…

Musonius Rufus reminds us that it is far easier to curb our desire for our neighbor's wife than to pursue it Not to mention that it is the right thing to do. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support

Seneca reminds us that all too often we judge people on the basis of what they wear, or of their social rank, mistakenly assuming that those are good indicators of their character. Become a supporter of this podcast:https://anchor.fm/stoicmeditations/support