Understanding the Second Arrow: Pain and Perception in Buddhism and Stoicism

Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. In this episode, we explore a powerful Buddhist concept that mirrors Stoic wisdom: the Second Arrow. The first arrow is the pain life throws at us - rejection, loss, failure. The second arrow? That's the one we shoot at ourselves through our reactions, stories, and judgments.

Michael Tremblay discusses the Buddhist parable of the second arrow and what it means for practicing Stoics.

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Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/