“Self-reliance, always. And Cheerfulness.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 1.16 In just five words, Marcus Aurelius offers one of the simplest yet most powerful formulas for inner peace: depend on yourself, and don’t forget to smile. With self-reliance, Marcus means depending on our rational mind and our reason to either assent Read more
“Away with the world’s opinion of you — it’s always unsettled and divided.” Seneca, Letters From a Stoic, Letter XXVI We’ve all been there, second-guessing our choices, biting our tongue, or altering our path just to avoid judgment or win approval. But as Seneca reminds us, the crowd’s opinion is Read more
In Stoic philosophy, synkatathesis (συγκατάθεσις) is the moment of choice that determines whether we accept or reject what appears before our mind. It means assent, but not in a passive or vague sense. For the Stoics, synkatathesis is the inner nod we give to a thought, judgment, or impression that Read more
“Eteocles: ‘Where will you stand before the walls?’Polyneices: ‘For what reason do you ask me?’Eteocles: ‘I mean to face you and slay you.’Polyneices: ‘And so is my desire too.’” Epictetus, Discourses, Book 2, Chapter 22.12 It’s one of the most haunting moments from Greek tragedy: two brothers, once united by Read more
What is the Discipline of Desire? The Discipline of Desire is one of three core Stoic practices, along with the Disciplines of Assent and Action. These three disciplines form the framework through which the Stoic trains perception, emotion, and behavior. Try the exercises below. In Stoic philosophy, the Discipline of Read more
“People exist for one another. You can instruct or endure them.” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 8.59 At some point, we all face it: the frustration of dealing with difficult people. But rather than lashing out or retreating, Marcus Aurelius gives us a timeless Stoic reminder. People exist for one another; Read more
“You are running away in your own company.” Seneca, Letters from a Stoic, Letter XXVIII Wherever you go, there you are. Seneca’s sharp line cuts deep for those constantly chasing the next place, project, or person to feel at ease. When he tells us that we are “running away in Read more
On this journey, we all need a moment for ourselves. Breathe in, Breathe out. Say out loud (or in your head) something you’re grateful for… Bonus if you tell the person next to you. Find Alignment with Yourself “For it is you who know yourself, and what value you set Read more
“For universally (and you should not be deceived on this) every living creature is attached to nothing so strongly as it is to its own interest.” Epictetus, The Discourses, Book Two, Chapter 22.12 What does Epictetus mean by saying that we are most attached to our self-interests? At first glance, Read more
“Three relationshipsi. with the body you inhabitii. with the divine, the cause of everything in all thingsiii. with the people around you” Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 8.27 How often do we pause to evaluate our relationships, not just with others, but with ourselves and the universe? Marcus Aurelius offers a Read more