The Cheerful Stoic

In this episode, we continue to look at what Seneca has to say to his friend Lucillius about Providence. He says here that excellence cannot be arrived at without struggle and adversity.

In this episode, we introduce and present the central question behind Seneca’s On Providence, the theodicy question. “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

In this episode, I respond to Steve, a faithful listener from India, and then talk about upcoming episodes.

In this episode, we take a look at one of Marcus Aurelius master Stoic principles: embracing your lot in life as the ground and path for growth in virtue.

In this episode, I read and talk about Meditations 7.57, where Marcus Aurelius reminds us to embrace all our experiences as uniquely suited to us. This is a Stoic master principle for all who seek to live the virtuous life.

In this episode, Ben and I talk (amongst other things) about daily Stoic practice, Quakers and ancient philosophy, the freedom of the will (and grace), Stoics and the irrational and much more besides!

Marcus Aurelius reminds us to accept our lot in life, to deal justly with the people in our lives, and to closely monitor our thoughts so that we can live according to nature.

Seneca reminds us that we are rational animals. Virtue is the only good pursuing.

In this episode I read Meditations 2.2 and make some brief comments.

In this episode I go over my favorite description of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, as found in the preface of the Penguin Classics edition.

Seneca defends himself (and the rest of philosophers) from the charge of being hypocrites and from failing to practice what they preach.

Epictetus reminds his students that good and evil are determined not by external events but by our interpretation and reaction to them. Discourses 3.8 + Enchiridion 1

Kindness is a virtue related to that of justice. As Stoics, we must aim higher than simply speaking truth. We must speak truth kindly. We must not mistake kindness with weakness.

Socrates and Seneca reminds us that if we are philosophically healthy we should be able to enjoy our own company.

There is virtue, there is vice, and then there is everything else, which is labeled either Preferred Indifferents or Dispreferred Indifferents. In today’s episode we explore a passage on these by Seneca.

Meditations 8.8 :: Marcus Aurelius reminds himself here that even in the days where he lacks the time for reading, he does not lack the opportunities to work on his character!

Epictetus reminds us once again to care nothing for what others think, but to be the best philosophers we can be and rest with our own opinion of ourselves.

Marcus Aurelius admonishes himself to *practice* the Stoic curriculum 😋

Marcus Aurelius reminds us we can more consistently enjoy peace if we see to it that our first impressions don’t lead us astray!

In Letter 9 of Letters from a Stoic, Seneca talks at length about how Stoics should view friendship.

Meditations 3:6 from Marcus Aurelius!

A meditation on Meditations 9.41 from Marcus Aurelius

We continue looking at Seneca’s advice in his 1st letter to Lucilius. Amongs other things, here Seneca advises to not procrastinate and to do today what he is tempted to put off until tomorrow.

In this episode, we take a look at Seneca’s advice to his friend Lucilius on the subject of time management.

Marcus Aurelius exhorts us to wrong no one and to deal kindly with all we come into contact with.

In this episode, I converse with fellow Stoic Magalie Linda about Stoicism, how she learned about it, and how she currently practices it!!

In this episode we take a brief look at the work of French Philosopher Pierre Harot, who wrote The Inner Citadel, an acclaimed study on The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. Special attention is paid to the three exercise-themes of Stoicism as taught by Epictetus, and further refined by Marcus Aurelius. Enjoy!

It was John Mark Ormechea who led me to become a Stoicism practitioner. Listen to our chat!

Progress in the Stoic path takes time. We will fail frequently before we start experiencing success. Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca admonish us to keep going!!!

Epictetus reminds his students once again that their main job is to model the way of philosophy, rather than teaching/correcting the behavior of those who were never taught/trained in philosophy.

In this episode, we take a close look at the meditations of Marcus Aurelius, Book 2, Chapter 1

In Meditations 6:48, Marcus Aurelius reminds himself that one way he can cheer himself is by looking at the virtues and talents of those around him.

Epictetus exhorts us to carefully count the cost before we embark on an ambitious project.

A continuation of Epictetus’ teaching on philosophical training.

In this episode, Epictetus tells us the type of mental training would be [Stoic] philosophers are to be in engaged in daily.

Epictetus tells us why reason is supreme according to Stoic philosophy.

Short introduction to Epictetus’ life and philosophy.

Who is the host? What is this podcast about? How will I benefit from it???