The Stoic Handbook by Jon Brooks cover image

The Stoic Handbook by Jon Brooks

Facing Mortality: A Stoic Death Meditation

Jul 7, 2024
17:37

Send us a text

In this episode, we delve into the profound Stoic philosophy surrounding death. Join us for a guided meditation that will help you confront and accept mortality, diminish the fear of death, and find peace in the natural cycle of life and death.

Learn to focus on what truly matters and live a life of tranquility and resilience.

Key Takeaways:

  • Understanding the Stoic Perspective on Death
    • Confronting mortality and its inevitability
    • Quotes from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca
  • Exercise: Sit with Your Fear of Death
    • Addressing the root cause of anxieties
    • Reflecting on the impact of death on your life's story
  • Visualizing Your Life
    • Contemplating the transient nature of personal details and experiences
  • Imagining Different Timeframes
    • Considering your actions with ten years, one year, and one day left to live
  • Visualizing Your Own Death
    • Contemplating decay and the state of non-existence before birth
  • Filling Your Heart with Love
    • Practicing compassion and reflecting on love
  • Combining Compassion with Contemplation
    • Balancing anxiety work with love and compassion

Quotes Highlighted in the Episode:

  • "Some things are within our power, while others are not." – Epictetus
  • "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." – Marcus Aurelius
  • "He who fears death will never do anything worthy of a living man." – Seneca
  • "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters." – Epictetus
  • "Consider that before long you will be nobody and nowhere, nor will anything which you now behold exist, nor one of those who are now alive." – Marcus Aurelius
  • "Death is a release from all suffering." – Seneca
  • "When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love." – Marcus Aurelius
  • "Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens." – Epictetus

Get immediate access to premium Stoic meditation courses, exclusive community, straight-to-the-point lessons, and Q&As created by Jon Brooks.

Includes a 7-day free trial.

🍎 Join here if you use Apple Podcasts
⚡️ Join here if you use Spotify or another app

Support the show

Resources

Get the Snipd
podcast app

Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
App store bannerPlay store banner

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode

Save any
moment

Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways

Share
& Export

Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more

AI-powered
podcast player

Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features

Discover
highlights

Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode