The Practical Stoic

simonjedrew.com simonjedrew.com/coaching/ patreon.com/simonjedrew/  Know Thyself | A Call to Curiosity, Duty & Reverence I was recently reminded of a maxim that was inscribed on the temple of Apollo at Delphi - one which has actually been on my mind throughout this entire year. There are 147 of these maxims (you can find them here. Thanks to JC for sending this amazing list to me!), but this particular one has had such a transformative effect on my life that it's hard to know exactly how to begin the process of sharing this experience. Perhaps beginning with the words might suffice. The maxim simply reads, "Know thyself." Sometimes the simplest combinations of words can inspire within us the most significant changes, and I guess that says as much about the power of carefully chosen words as it says about the specific effect which they can have in an individual's life as well as the effect they can have on the course of history.  The first time I really thought about these two powerful words was when I was reading about the philosopher Thales who, according to Diogenes in The Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, was the original purveyor of this proverb of "Know thyself." It was also Thales who said that what was most difficult was to know oneself. When I read these words I felt a sense that seeing as they came from one of the original seekers of wisdom, and seeing as my own wisdom pales in comparison to those giants who have come before me, these words must necessarily be taken on with curiosity, duty and reverence - these being an excellent combination of modes with which to face a set of words that have the power to transform one's life. Let me explain why. We'll start with curiosity, or perhaps more accurately presented in the form of wonder. Must we not be curious about the transformative effects that words could have on our lives? Is it not completely necessary, if we are to derive any lasting value from words over the course of our lives, to first be intrigued by what those words mean? Or at least to garner a sense of wonder about what they could mean if we were able to fully comprehend and realise the depth of their utility in our own lives? This is what we call inspiration - a set of words that come to us, spelling out a hero's journey that has yet to be taken, a road that longs to be travelled, an idea that cries out to be developed, experienced, and lifted from the depths and into the light. This is that moment when, despite all your greatest efforts to improve your life and move in the direction that suits what you think is you, a few simple words in a book, a heartfelt comment from a friend, or the lyrics in a song seem to jump out at you and lift your soul while crushing you all at once. These words lift you because they show you a new side of yourself that you've never been introduced to before. They show you a new ideal, a new way of being, or a new trove of treasure waiting to be found. But as we all know, every cave full of treasure is guarded by a dragon, and that's why inspiration, or curious combinations of words, also by necessity crush you; because you're not who you need to be in order to live up to that new ideal - that new adventure. You don't have what it takes, ye Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Miles Davis, the legendary trumpeter, was one of the most revolutionary artists in all of history, compared to people like Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso and Igor Stravinsky. His music influenced the sound of multiple generations of musicians, and he is widely regarded to be one of the most creatively inspired people who ever lived. In this series of episodes Simon Drew draws inspiration not from his music, but from the wisdom he spoke regarding creativity, art and life. simonjedrew.com patreon.com/simonjedrew/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Miles Davis, the legendary trumpeter, was one of the most revolutionary artists in all of history, compared to people like Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso and Igor Stravinsky. His music influenced the sound of multiple generations of musicians, and he is widely regarded to be one of the most creatively inspired people who ever lived. In this series of episodes Simon Drew draws inspiration not from his music, but from the wisdom he spoke regarding creativity, art and life. simonjedrew.com patreon.com/simonjedrew/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon gives an update for the month of November and discusses finishing university, finalising his book and composing his first original album on piano. He then also discusses some ideas about how we can find more room for common ground in political matters. simonjedrew.com simonjedrew.com/coaching/ facebook.com/groups/practicalstoicmastermind/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About Dirk Mahling: Faculty member at the College of Stoic Philosophers (FCSP) Professor Emeritus, Information Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA Fulbright Scholar Licensed Psychologist, Germany Licensed Autogenic Training/Meditation Councellor Go-Dan (5th degree black belt) in Aikido, Instructor Certified Advanced Hanggliding Instructor; USHGA Officer of the reserve in the German Army Frigga's Web Association, Trustee; USA CIO in Fortune 500 Utility Companies in the USA Published author in peer reviewed books and journals on Cognitive Science Speaker and author on digital transformation in the utility industry College of Stoic Philosophers: http://collegeofstoicphilosophers.org/ Simon Drew Website: simonjedrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About the Guest: Brian C. Muraresku graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Brown University with a degree in Latin, Greek and Sanskrit. As an alumnus of Georgetown Law and a member of the New York Bar, he has been practicing law internationally for fifteen years. He lives outside Washington D.C. with his wife and two daughters. In 2016, Muraresku became the founding executive director of Doctors for Cannabis Regulation. Their work has been featured on CNN and ESPN, as well as The Washington Post and San Francisco Chronicle. In arbitration with the NFL in 2018, Muraresku represented the first professional athlete in the United States to seek a therapeutic use exemption for cannabis.  The Immortality Key is his debut book. Website: https://www.brianmuraresku.com/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianMuraresku Buy The Immortality Key: https://www.amazon.com/Immortality-Key-Secret-History-Religion/dp/125075299X  ----more---- Simon Drew Links Website: simonjedrew.com Patreon: patreon.com/simonjedrew Coaching: simonjedrew.com/coaching/ Practical Stoic Mastermind: facebook.com/groups/practicalstoicmastermind   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rob turner is a musician from Manchester UK and is the Drummer and co-writer with the band GoGo Penguin.  The band is known for expanding the piano trio format, combining elements of traditional styles such as Jazz and Classical with modern electronic music which they perform live on acoustic instruments.  His work with the band has included five studio albums, two released by Manchester’s Gondwana Records, the second of which received the coveted mercury prize shortlist in 2014 and three albums released by the legendary Blue Note record label.  With GoGo penguin Rob composed ‘As above so below, a hermetic influenced tribute to the work of Basil Kirchin commissioned by the performing rights society foundation, a live ballet performed at the Barbican and a live re-scoring of Godfrey Reggio’s cult masterpiece Koyaanisqatsi. In addition to performing around the globe the band have also appeared on NPR’s tiny desk series, Jools Holland and together with co-member and bassist Nick Blacka Rob has presented on Giles Peterson’s worldwide FM radio. Band Website: https://gogopenguin.co.uk/ Simon Drew Links   Patreon: patreon.com/simonjedrew Coaching: simonjedrew.com/coaching/ Practical Stoic Mastermind: facebook.com/groups/practicalstoicmastermind Website: simonjedrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dru Johnson is an associate professor of biblical and theological studies at The King’s College in New York City,  director of the Center for Hebraic Thought , editor at The Biblical Mind, host of the Center for Hebraic Thought Podcast, and co-host of the OnScript Podcast. Before that, he was a high-school dropout, skinhead, punk rock drummer, combat veteran, IT supervisor, and pastor—all things that he hopes none of his children ever become. Website: https://drujohnson.com/ The Biblical Mind: https://thebiblicalmind.org/ Centre for Hebraic Thought Podcast: https://centerforhebraicthought.podbean.com/ On Script Podcast: https://onscript.study/ Books: https://drujohnson.com/page/   Simon Drew Links   Patreon: patreon.com/simonjedrew Coaching: simonjedrew.com/coaching/ Practical Stoic Mastermind: facebook.com/groups/practicalstoicmastermind Facebook: facebook.com/simonjedrew Instagram: instagram.com/simonjedrew LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/simonjedrew Website: simonjedrew.com FEEDSPOT: https://blog.feedspot.com/stoicism_podcasts/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Harry Terrell and Eli Goss are the founders of The Breathing Effect - an LA-based synth-heavy rock band that leaves a lasting impression. They play psychedelic fusion with soul, jazz, and electronic influences, and are signed to L.A.'s Alpha Pup Records label. Shapes That Change Shape: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAQr0SPUqQ8 The Breathing Effect Bandcamp: https://thebreathingeffect.bandcamp.com/ The Breathing Effect Website: https://thebreathingeffect.com/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Troels Engberg Pedersen is a Pauline theologian, author, and professor of New Testament exegesis at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark. For approximately 25 years, Pedersen has focused his attentions on the writings of Paul the Apostle and on exploring how the structure and content of the Pauline epistles align with themes which are present in Stoic philosophy of the Hellenistic Period. When set in conjunction with Paul's identity as a Greco-Roman Jew, the implications of Paul's letters standout as a demonstration of how the early Christian church community developed in light of the Greco-Roman world which surrounded it. Paul and the Stoics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices