Learn about the practicality of Stoicism and how it can help you live a good life. Discover the origins of Stoicism in Athens and Rome, and how it was founded by Zeno of Citium. Explore the virtues of courage, temperance, wisdom, and justice in Stoicism, and how challenges can lead to personal growth. Understand the importance of applying Stoic principles daily for a more peaceful existence.
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Quick takeaways
Stoicism emphasizes focusing on what we can control and making virtuous choices for inner peace.
Stoics practice reframing their judgments to gain better control over emotional responses.
Deep dives
Understanding Stoicism and its Practical Applications
Stoicism is a practical philosophy that focuses on living a good and peaceful life by practicing virtue. It originated in Athens, Greece and was founded by Zeno of Sitium. Stoics emphasize the importance of understanding what we have control over and what we do not. Our thinking and choices are the only things we truly control, while everything else is outside our control. By focusing on what we can control and making choices aligned with virtue, we can gain a sense of peace and make progress in our lives.
The Power of Thoughts and Emotions in Stoicism
Stoicism teaches us that our thoughts and judgments heavily influence our emotions and how we respond to situations. Negative emotions are often a result of our own judgments about a situation. Stoics practice recognizing their judgments and reframing how they think about things. They understand that emotions are transitory and can be changed through self-awareness and choosing not to give meaning or importance to certain events or words. By focusing on our thinking and being aware of our judgments, we can gain better control over our emotional responses.
Living a Life of Virtue and Integrity
Stoicism emphasizes the importance of following the four cardinal virtues: wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. These virtues are interconnected and self-reinforcing. Wisdom is the application of knowledge and experience, while courage is necessary to gain wisdom and make disciplined choices. Temperance helps us find balance, and justice involves treating others fairly. Stoics believe that living a life of integrity, doing the right thing even when no one is watching, is essential for personal growth and inner peace. By following these virtues, we can make a positive impact on the world.
“The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.”— Marcus AureliusAre you new to Stoicism and want to know where to get started in learning about it and how to apply it in your life? Then this episode is for you. One of the things that I appreciate about Stoicism is that it’s very practical philosophy, and there are a lot of ideas and principles that have stood the test of time because they work in helping you live a good life. There are also misconceptions about what stoicism is and what it isn’t so today I’m going to walk you through the basics of what stoicism is, and how you can start applying it in your life immediately.