#311 - Trauma From A Stoic Perspective

The Strong Stoic Podcast

A ship accumulates marine growth on its hull as it traverses through water. Some would suggest that our souls do a similar thing, accumulating trauma from the challenging and difficult circumstances that life puts us through.
This is understandable on one end; we can all point to situations in our past that seem to still bother us in conscious and sometimes subconscious ways. On the other hand, one could perhaps make the case that a Stoic does not let the past bother them. Is trauma a real thing, or is it simply an unStoic way of looking at your past?
Summary
The conversation explores the concept of trauma and its impact on our lives. It discusses how trauma is accumulated from past experiences and how it can shape our present behaviors. The history of trauma studies is briefly mentioned, highlighting the idea that something in our past can emotionally scar or break us. The conversation also delves into the Stoic perspective on trauma, emphasizing the importance of extracting lessons from the past to guide our future actions. It suggests that while we cannot change the past, we have control over our thoughts, judgments, and actions in the present.
Takeaways

• Trauma is the accumulation of emotional scars or brokenness from past experiences that affect our present selves.
• The study of trauma dates back to the 1800s, with various researchers exploring its causes and effects.
• Stoicism teaches that while we cannot change the past or other people's actions, we have control over our thoughts, judgments, and actions.
• Extracting lessons from past experiences allows us to grow and guide our future actions.
• Bullying, although morally wrong, can be viewed as an opportunity to practice Stoicism and develop resilience.
• Processing trauma involves journaling, extracting lessons, and taking responsibility for our own actions.
• We have the strength and agency to overcome trauma and write our own narrative in life.

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The Strong Stoic Podcast is a raw, honest, and unapologetically deep podcast about philosophy and self-improvement. Join your host, Brandon Tumblin, as he breaks down a wide variety of complex and difficult topics aimed at provoking thought and opening your perspective.
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