In this episode, I discuss Meditation 3.2 from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations. This meditation reflects on the inherent beauty in all things that align with Nature, even when they might seem imperfect or undesirable to us at first glance. Marcus uses examples such as cracks on a freshly baked loaf of bread or the ripe, oozing fig to illustrate how side effects of Nature’s processes carry their own grace and fascination. I explore two key takeaways: I. Understanding Natural Processes – By studying and respecting Nature, we learn to identify the optimal points in its processes, whether in baking bread or recognizing when something has reached its natural conclusion. II. Redefining Beauty – Marcus invites us to find beauty not just in the outcomes we prefer but in all stages of life’s processes. Even in things like a furrowed brow, overripe fruit, or the inevitability of decay, there is a harmony with Nature that can inspire respect, wonder, and acceptance. Finally, I reflect on how shifting our judgment of ugliness to one of wonder and appreciation can deepen our understanding of the world and our place in it. "We must also observe closely points of this kind, that even the secondary effects of Nature's processes possess a sort of grace and attraction. To take one instance, bread when it is being baked breaks open at some places; now even these cracks, which in one way contradict the promise of the baker's art, somehow catch the eye and stimulate in a special way our appetite for the food. And again figs, when fully mature, gape, and in ripe olives their very approach to decay adds a certain beauty of its own to the fruit. Ears of corn too when they bend downwards, the lion's wrinkled brow, the foam flowing from the boar's mouth, and many other characteristics that are far from beautiful if we look at them in isolation, do nevertheless because they follow from Nature's processes lend those a further ornament and a fascination. And so, if a man has a feeling for, and a deeper insight into the processes of the Universe, there is hardly one but will somehow appear to present itself pleasantly to him, even among mere attendant circumstances. Such a man also will feel no less pleasure in looking at the actual jaws of wild beasts than at the imitations which painters and sculptors exhibit, and he will be enabled to see in an old woman or an old man a kind of freshness and bloom, and to look upon the charms of his own boy slaves with sober eyes. And many such experiences there will be, not convincing to every one but occurring to him and to him alone who has become genuinely familiar with Nature and her works." – Meditations 3.2 -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Join the Discord Community : https://stoicismpod.com/discord Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take my free courses : https://stoicismpod.com/courses Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Follow me on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/tannerocampbell.bsky.social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we begin Book 3 of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. Meditation 3.1 reminds us that our time is limited—not just by death, but by the potential loss of our rational faculty as we age. Marcus writes that even if life continues, our ability to reason, comprehend, and adapt to events may diminish. He urges us to press forward with our pursuit of Virtue while we still have the capacity to live thoughtfully and intentionally. Memento Mori—the practice of remembering our mortality—grounds Stoic practice, but Marcus reminds us that it is not a lifehack to achieve personal goals or ambitions. Instead, it’s a practice rooted in the Stoic commitment to living in alignment with Nature and contributing to the greater good of the Cosmopolis. This meditation challenges us to reflect on how we use the present moment, which is the only time truly within our power, to make progress toward Virtue. "We ought to take into account not only the fact that day by day life is being spent and a smaller balance remaining, but this further point also that, should we live longer, it is at least doubtful whether the intellect will hereafter be the same." - Meditations 3.1 -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Join the Discord Community : https://stoicismpod.com/discord Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take my free courses : https://stoicismpod.com/courses Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I reflect on Meditation 9 from Book 2 of Meditations. Marcus Aurelius reminds us to always remember the nature of the Cosmos and our place within it. He emphasizes that the Cosmos is a rational and self-sustaining system, and as part of it, we share in that logic and beneficence. Marcus urges us to act in accordance with Nature, meaning that we should strive to be rational and beneficent, just as the Cosmos is. I explore how the Cosmos, though not consciously acting like a human, sustains itself in a way that allows everything within it to exist and perform its roles. By understanding this, we realize that no external force can prevent us from making choices in line with our rational nature. While external circumstances may influence us, it is ultimately our choice how we respond to them. Marcus reminds us that it is not the external situation, but how we make choices, that determines whether we act with wisdom and virtue. I also touch on the Stoic concept of personal responsibility, explaining how we are always accountable for our choices. Even when provoked, such as by an unkind boss, it is our choice how we react, and only we can choose to act with virtue or vice. The key is not just in the choice itself, but in the reasoning behind that choice. By internalizing the understanding that we are in control of our responses, we can aim to align ourselves with the rational and beneficent nature of the Cosmos. "Always remember the following: what the nature of the Whole is; what my own nature is; the relation of this nature to that; what kind of part it is of what kind of Whole; and that no man can hinder your saying and doing at all times what is in accordance with that Nature whereof you are a part." - Meditations 2.9 -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take the free course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wednesdays are now Epictetus days -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (George Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Meric Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (A.S.L Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Enchiridion (Elizabeth Carter) : https://classics.mit.edu/Epictetus/epicench.html Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the futility of half-way measures from Seneca. -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we're talking about... Aristotle's Causes? It gets a little weird. Also, some special news. -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tanner says yes, Massimo Pigliucci says no. -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is it impossible that embarrassment is an emotion the Sage would possess? Seneca promises us that Sages will blush if it is in their nature, as this is a bodily function that actors cannot summon nor can anyone prevent -- we do not control our bodies, as we do not own them -- but does blushing always equal embarrassment? And if so, is appropriate embarrassment a thing which exists? -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I know, I know, "challenge accepted, Tanner!" But in all seriousness, books don't provide the same utility as a toilet... and sometimes you really need a toilet. In this episode, Virtue is the toilet. Perhaps the most ill-behaved metaphors I've ever made on this program. -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does Virtue has more to do with aesthetic than it does anything else? I don't know... but can understanding Virtue through the lens of aesthetic ratios like the Golden Rule make understanding Virtue easier? I still don't know, but this is a great conversation with David Fideler, author of Breakfast with Seneca. -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brawn is fine, important even, perhaps -- but not more important than brains. Physical fitness is useful, but it's not as useful as philosophical fitness. Seneca tells us more in today's episode. -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The discussion with David is actually this Friday. Whoops. This is what happens when you record episodes a month ahead of time. You get confused! In this episode we discuss the sort of "soul" we possess; and how does it suggest we act? We also discuss the price of cheese in Denmark, but only briefly. -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Business gets in the way. But what does that mean? What sort of "business" are we talking about? Are the self-employed or entrepreneurs among us getting in our own way, or does Seneca mean something else? -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss Meditation 8 from Book 2 of Meditations. Marcus Aurelius reflects on how people rarely suffer from not understanding the thoughts of others but are bound to suffer if they don’t observe their own thoughts. I explain how spending too much time worrying about what others think leaves us no energy to examine our own thoughts and work toward virtue. This meditation is not about ignoring others, but rather about prioritizing our mental energy wisely. We can care for others, but we must avoid wasting time on trivial judgments about why someone acts a certain way or holds an opinion about us. I tie this to a broader Stoic understanding of how most people are "sick" with ignorance, often chasing material desires or misconceptions about what is good. This lack of understanding causes people to live in private worlds of delusion, where their judgments are skewed by false perceptions. Stoicism, on the other hand, teaches that the only true good is virtue, and once we embrace that understanding, we gain clarity on how lost most people are. By focusing on our own character and its alignment with virtue, we avoid the misery that comes from spending too much time concerned with the faults of others. "Men are not easily seen to be brought into evil case by failure to consider what passes in another's soul; but they who do not read aright the motions of their own soul are bound to be in evil case." - Meditations 2.8 -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take the free course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is a veil over what over what is true. Those who seek a virtuous character must learn to lift it. -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cold showers aren't really useful... -- #1 : View all our sponsor links : https://sponsors.stoicismpod.com #2 : Get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #3: Visit our store : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend a live workshop : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Read our articles : https://read.stoicismpod.com #5: Join the Discord : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join the journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't beat yourself up when you don't have a perfect day, don't be disgusted with yourself. Instead, take a shower and wash your face. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join our Stoic Journaling Program: https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/zeno Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's philosophy, then there's wasting time. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join our Stoic Journaling Program: https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/zeno Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How much do we care that something is benefiting Nature? -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join our Stoic Journaling Program: https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/zeno Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seneca on distractions in the form of, well, anything. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join our Stoic Journaling Program: https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do Stoics pray? Do they? How is Stoic payer different than traditional Christian prayer (for example)? -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join our Stoic Journaling Program: https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey, you! Yeah you; you thankless philosopher! Have you been grateful to your King lately? -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays) : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack : https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join our free Discord community : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join our Stoic Journaling Program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you take credit for your deeds? Do you note them down in a sort of "Virtue ledger"? I think most of us do from time to time. In today's meditation, Marcus encourages himself (and us) to be more like a grape vine. Which will only make sense if you listen. -- Try 3 Fit Theory Shirts : https://link.stoicismpod.com/three-fit-theory -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads : https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff : https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays) : https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack : https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join our free Discord community : https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join our Stoic Journaling Program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I just think he's wrong, partially, on emotions. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord #6: Join our Stoic Journaling Program: https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I discuss Meditation 7 from Book 2 of Meditations, where Marcus Aurelius advises us to give ourselves moments of quiet to focus on learning something good, while also warning against aimlessness. I explore how modern distractions—whether from media, politics, or content creators—are constantly vying for our attention. Marcus’ advice to focus on "something good" can be interpreted as learning about virtue, which helps quiet the noise of the world. Alternatively, it can mean focusing on something personally meaningful, not driven by fear of missing out, but chosen for its value. However, Marcus cautions that even when we think we are focusing on something good, we must beware of aimlessness. Those who live without broader goals, Marcus says, waste their lives in trivial pursuits. I analyze how this warning applies to modern content that distorts Stoicism, particularly hyper-masculine and red-pill ideologies that mislead young men by portraying women as distractions. These misguided ideas lead people to chase false solutions to non-existent problems, wasting time and attention. The meditation emphasizes that distractions are not external forces, but a result of our lack of attention management. A Stoic response is not to eliminate external influences, but to strengthen inner resolve and temperance. Marcus reminds us that a Stoic should not allow external events, like a breakup, to compromise moral character. Instead, the Stoic improves, recognizing that virtue is the only true good, and distractions—whether relationships or the noise of society—are indifferent unless we let them affect us. "Do things from outside break in to distract you? Give yourself a time of quiet to learn some new good thing and cease to wander out of your course. But, when you have done that, be on your guard against a second kind of wandering. For those who are sick to death in life, with no mark on which they direct every impulse or in general every imagination, are triflers, not in words only but also in their deeds." - Meditations 2.7 -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take the free course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We worry about all the things we have no choice over, lament them or take credit for them. But those things which we can choose, we pay no mind to choosing. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join the Stoic Path and deepen your Stoic practice: https://link.stoicismpod.com/path #6: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord #7: Join our Stoic Journaling Program: https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What use is opulence in the development of our character? To be fair, it may be of some use, there are no absolutes in the journey of a Prokoptôn, but Seneca would certainly be of the opinion that such alignments are rare. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join the Stoic Path and deepen your Stoic practice: https://link.stoicismpod.com/path #6: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everything comes from Nature, it's all derived from the same ultimate source. Maybe we could talk about how framing Nature as "God" makes appreciating life a little more... lovely. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join the Stoic Path and deepen your Stoic practice: https://link.stoicismpod.com/path #6: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And old dilapidated house, a few insults from Seneca, and a thoughtful reflection on the ending of life stages. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join the Stoic Path and deepen your Stoic practice: https://link.stoicismpod.com/path #6: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marcus Aurelius may be the most well-remembered Stoic, but he probably isn't the best teacher. That is to say, at least, he shouldn't be your only teacher! Let's explore that a bit before getting into this week's meditation. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join the Stoic Path and deepen your Stoic practice: https://link.stoicismpod.com/path #6: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're all ill, and there are very few doctors. There are, however, many patients, and we should spend time with them for our benefit and theirs. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join the Stoic Path and deepen your Stoic practice: https://link.stoicismpod.com/path #6: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marcus tells us it's easy, I am less convinced. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join the Stoic Path and deepen your Stoic practice: https://link.stoicismpod.com/path #6: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Book 5, Meditation 1 -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join the Stoic Path and deepen your Stoic practice: https://link.stoicismpod.com/path #6: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Meditations (Farquharson) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/farquharson Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seneca's 59th moral letter to Lucilius. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join the Stoic Path and deepen your Stoic practice: https://link.stoicismpod.com/path #6: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marcus thanks THE godS. Also, #SurpriseHarryPotter. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join the Stoic Path and deepen your Stoic practice: https://link.stoicismpod.com/path #6: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor InsideTracker : https://insidetracker.com/stoicism Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I explore Meditation 6 from Book 2 of Meditations, where Marcus Aurelius reflects on how we often fail to honor our own well-being, instead placing it in the hands of others. I dive into the Stoic concept of violence, explaining that true violence, in Stoic terms, is the damage we do to our own moral character through vice, not the physical acts we traditionally associate with violence. Using examples like murder, I explain how Stoicism teaches that no external action can harm another’s virtue, but choosing to act unjustly damages our own character. This episode also touches on the nuanced relationship between Stoicism, religion, and moral decision-making, emphasizing that for Stoics, the measure of uprightness is the quality of one’s character, aligned with Nature and the pursuit of virtue. "You are doing yourself violence, violence, my soul; and you will have no second occasion to do yourself honour. Brief is the life of each of us, and this of yours is nearly ended, and yet you do not reverence yourself, but commit your well-being to the charge of other men's souls." - Meditations 2.6 -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take the free course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seneca's 93rd letter. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join the Stoic Path and deepen your Stoic practice: https://link.stoicismpod.com/path #6: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Sponsor Neurohacker : https://neurohacker.com/practical Sponsor AG1 : https://athleticgreens.com/practical Sponsor BetterHelp : https://betterhelp.com/stoicism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Book 1, Meditation 13 -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join the Stoic Path and deepen your Stoic practice: https://link.stoicismpod.com/path #6: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks for listening. The most valuable thing you can do if you appreciate our content, is support us in some way. Below are some of the best (free and paid) ways to do that. -- #1: Become a premium subscriber and get rid of ads: https://practicalstoicism.supportingcast.fm #2: Visit our store but buy some stuff: https://shop.stoicismpod.com #3: Attend some of our live workshops (or watch the replays): https://actualstoicism.com #4: Subscribe to our free Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com #5: Join the Stoic Path and deepen your Stoic practice: https://link.stoicismpod.com/path #6: Join our free Discord community: https://stoicismpod.com/discord -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/stoicism today to get 10% off your first month. Try the best brain fuel on earth. Use PRACTICAL to save 15% at checkout at https://neurohacker.com/practical Try AG1 at https://athleticgreens.com/practical Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meditation #11 from Book #1 -- This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. Visit https://betterhelp.com/stoicism today to get 10% off your first month. -- Try the best brain fuel on earth. Use PRACTICAL to save 15% at checkout at https://neurohacker.com/practical -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Read our articles on Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seneca's 5th letter is about the balance between poverty and opulence, for the good of those we teach. The Philosopher's Mean. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Read our articles on Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meditation #10 from Book #1 -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Read our articles on Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't be alone, don't be with the crowd either - be with someone who makes you ashamed to act badly in their presence. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Leave us a one-time tip of support : https://stoicismpod.com/tip Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Read our articles on Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't fool yourself into believing you're to busy to be connected with other members of the cosmopolis in a meaningful way. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Leave us a one-time tip of support : https://stoicismpod.com/tip Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Read our articles on Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us on Clubhouse this week for something different. Here's how to do that: 1 - Download the Clubhouse app on iOS: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/clubhouse/id1503133294 or Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.clubhouse.app 2 - Create an account on the Clubhouse app 3 - Join the Practical Stoicism "Club" here: https://www.clubhouse.com/club/practical-stoicism-podcast That's it. From the Practical Stoicism Club page you should be able to see our schedule events. Add them to your calendar and then join at the appropriate time. Looking forward to this! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Was "Seneca Tragicus" Seneca the Youngers ultimate form? Maybe! In this week's letter we talk about tragedy and trauma. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Leave us a one-time tip of support : https://stoicismpod.com/tip Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Read our articles on Substack: https://stoicismpod.substack.com Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I begin by correcting a mistake I made about the word "Prokoptôn," clarifying that it is the singular form, not the plural. We then dive into Meditation 5 of Book 2, which focuses on acting with precision, dignity, love, freedom, and justice in every moment, as if it were your last. I break down the importance of being aligned with nature and explain how Marcus Aurelius emphasizes the need to be in awe of the Cosmos, rather than "god-fearing" as some translations might suggest. I also touch on how we should fulfill our roles and responsibilities according to our nature, using the Stoic principle of Oikeiosis to live a life aligned with the Cosmos. "Each hour be minded valiantly as becomes a Roman and a man to do what is to your hand with preciseness . . . and unaffected dignity natural love freedom and justice; and to give yourself repose from every other imagination. And so you will if only you do each act as though it were your last freed from every random aim from willful turning away from the directing Reason from pretense self-love and displeasure with what is allotted to you. You see how few things a man need master in order to live a smooth and godfearing life; for the gods themselves will require nothing more of him who keeps these precepts." - Meditations, 2.5 -- Go ad-free : https://stoicismpod.com/members Follow the print publication : https://stoicismpod.com/print Take the free course : https://understandingstoicism.com Order my book : https://stoicismpod.com/book Source Text : https://stoicismpod.com/far Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We demand things of our leaders, but what do we demand of ourselves as leaders and as individuals with various duties? -- Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Read articles on our Substack : https://stoicismpod.substack.com Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every step you take, every move you make, every breath you take, every vow you break, SENECA will be watching you. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you a grammar nazi? Do you attempt to invalidate arguments based on spelling or pronunciation errors? Well then, I've got a particular grammarian I'd like you to meet. -- Get rid of ads and support our work : https://link.stoicismpod.com/members Hang out with us in our free listener community: https://link.stoicismpod.com/discord Join our daily Stoic journaling program : https://link.stoicismpod.com/journaling Join our Stoic mentoring community : https://link.stoicismpod.com/path  -- View a list of our sponsors : https://link.stoicismpod.com/sponsors -- Visit our website : https://stoicismpod.com Check out our reading list : https://stoicismpod.com/suggested-reading Read our articles : https://stoicismpod.com/category/articles -- Online copy of Meditations (Long) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-long Online copy of Meditations (Casaubon) : https://link.stoicismpod.com/meditations-casaubon Online copy of Seneca's Letters : https://link.stoicismpod.com/letters -- Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices