Stoicism as a Philosophy of Life
This ancient tradition anticipated today’s best psychological practices.
What Is Stoicism?
To thrive is to let reason guide your choices and virtue determine your path.
Values Clarification in Stoicism
Pursue what matters most to you—but first determine what actually does.
Living in Accord with Your Values
Purposeful planning can help bridge the gap between abstract priority and daily action.
Stoic Mindfulness and Resilience
When we’re aware of our beliefs, we can better manage the emotions they fuel.
Cognitive Distancing
Stepping back from our thoughts can help us distinguish mere opinion from fact.
Postponing Rumination
“The simple act of pausing can make a significant difference in managing emotions.”
Decatastrophizing
Comparing worst cases to likely ones turns reflexive worries into actionable issues.
Premeditation of Adversity
Envisioning hardship before it comes can prepare us to face it wisely when it does.
Stoic Gratitude
To see opportunity in obstacle and impermanence in possession is to rejoice in your lot.
Stoic Acceptance
By facing problems head on, we see them for what they are—manageable and temporary.
Stoicism and Coping with Pain
Objectifying negative sensations, and noticing their changing nature, can bring relief.
Stoicism and Anger Management
Marcus Aurelius’s ten strategies help us mute our temper and restore our equanimity.
The Golden Rule in Stoicism
“By addressing our double standards, we become more adaptable and less reactive.”
Love and Friendship in Stoicism
Authentic affection is grounded not in passion, but integrity, kindness, and respect.
The View from Above
Contemplating the cosmos helps expand our sense of perspective and shrink our worries.
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Mindful Stoicism
Author and psychotherapist Donald Robertson mixes Stoic philosophy, modern psychology, and vivid historical anecdotes. The potent combination helps us challenge our limiting beliefs, clarify our core values, and find fulfillment in even our most difficult experiences.
“It's not easy to live consistently with wisdom, because our own fears and desires often lead us astray,” he says. But by illuminating today’s best therapeutic practices with the light of ancient Stoic teachings, “we discover a philosophy that allows us to build emotional resilience permanently, by making it an integral part of life.”
to listen to all 16 sessions in this series.
Artwork by Jonathan Conda