Stoic Meditations

Latest Episodes:

104. Epictetus and the open door policy: Stoicism and suicide May 04, 2018

Show notes

Tough topic for this episode: what is known as Epictetus' open door policy, that is, the Stoic idea that suicide is permissible, under certain circumstances. And indeed, that it is its possibility that gives us freedom and courage to fight on.

103. Take truth wherever you find it, it's public property May 03, 2018

Show notes

Seneca explains that one doesn't have to be an Epicurean in order to find value in the words of Epicurus. It's like in the Senate: you vote for the parts of a motion you approve of, and reject the rest.

102. How to calibrate your moral compass May 02, 2018

Show notes

Marcus Aurelius reminds us that justice is a crucial virtue in Stoicism, and we need to constantly keep it at the forefront. He also says that we need to evaluate our impressions of things, before acting. Don't just do it, stop and think about it first!

101. The universe is your trainer, get ready for the Olympics May 01, 2018

Show notes

Epictetus uses a nice metaphor in which the universe is our trainer, sending us tough stuff to deal with so that we get used to breaking a sweat and prepare for the Olympics of life.

100. Changing your life doesn't happen by magic Apr 30, 2018

Show notes

Musonius Rufus tells us that it isn't enough to know that we should be virtuous, we need to constantly practice virtue. Stoicism is not a magic wand, but it will change your life, and is well worth the effort.

99. Practice poverty as an exercise in endurance and gratitude Apr 27, 2018

Show notes

Seneca tells Lucilius that it is crucial, from time to time, to engage in exercises of self deprivation, so to prepare ourselves for whenever luck will turn, and also to be grateful and appreciative of what we normally have and may take for granted.

98. Praise or blame do not make a thing better or worse Apr 26, 2018

Show notes

On the day of Marcus Aurelius' birthday, April 26, let's reflect on a simple Stoic precept: good or bad lie in actions, thoughts, and words, not in the praise or blame that those things get from others.

97. Focus on what is up to you, the rest may or may not come Apr 25, 2018

Show notes

Epictetus clearly states one of the fundamental principles of Stoicism: the dichotomy of control. Once we realize that some things are up to us and other things aren't, it follows that we should focus on the first ones and cultivate equanimity toward the latter ones.

96. Are you practicing, or just talking? Apr 24, 2018

Show notes

Seneca says that talk is easy, but the real measure of whether we are making progress lies in our practice. Have our desires for the wrong things decreased? Are we focusing on what is truly important?

95. 15 minutes of fame? Why would you want that? Apr 23, 2018

Show notes

Marcus Aurelius reminds us that fame is ephemeral and intrinsically meaningless. What we do for others and to improve ourselves here and now is what really counts.

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