Hello there, As I do sometimes (and as our ancient guides recommend we do), I will seek some wisdom outside of our school today. Here are some words from another great philosopher Lao Tzu: “If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you […]
Hello there, For this week’s exercise, let us look at some words from Seneca’s Moral Letters to Lucilius CVIII 35-38: “Many words have been spoken by Plato, Zeno, Chrysippus, Posidonius, and by a whole host of equally excellent Stoics. I’ll tell you how people can prove their words to be their own – by putting into practice what they’ve been […]
Hello there, This is a time of year that is often difficult for most. The high of the holidays is gone, financials have been stretched, there is a lack of sun for many northern climates, there is no time off, etc… This year, all of this is compounded with the effects of the pandemic of course, and as a species […]
Hello there, For those of you who are tracking, this post is the 104th post of what we used to call Practical Exercises of the Week (PEotW), which has since been rebranded as Stoicism for a Better Life. In other words, I’ve been doing this for exactly two years. It has been a pleasure hearing all the great stories and […]
Hello there, This week I would like to simplify our approach to finding purpose and happiness to life. As an added bonus, I will once again seek some wisdom outside of our school (this of course is something our ancient guides recommend we do and knowledge is to be found everywhere and is the domain of everyone). Here are some […]
Hello there, The past few exercises we focused on facing difficulties and challenging our externals to that end. I would like to drive the idea home and round it out from another angle with some words from Seneca on Providence: “Without an antagonist, prowess fades away… good men should take whatever befalls in good part and turn it to their […]
Hello there, Let us continue challenging our externals with our rational mind with these inspiring words from Marcus Aurelius. This is from his meditations VI 13: “As in the case of meat and similar eatables the thought strikes us, this is the dead body of a fish, this of a fowl or pig; and again that this Falernian wine is […]
Hello there, Let us continue to begin our year with newfound fervour to face our challenges head-on and to uncompromising work at bettering ourselves. Let us find inspiration from these words from Seneca’s work on Providence: “Prosperity can come to the vulgar and to ordinary talents, but to triumph over the disasters and terrors of mortal life is the privilege […]
Hello there, This week I wanted to expand on this idea of how all of humanity (including you and me) are in a state of ignobility and decrepitness against our own will. This is a famous point made by Socrates, Plato and many Cynics and Stoics to follow, and it is something I visit often. Just last week we look […]
Hello there, I hope last week’s exercise left you with a clear mind and a clean slate to begin the year. With that, I would like to reach outside of our school for some inspiration to help us focus our efforts and energies on things that are truly important. This is from Herman Hess’ Steppenwolf: share Seneca’s words of warning […]