The Stoic Handbook by Jon Brooks

Send us a textIn this Stoic training exercise, we take a look at some of the methods the ancient Stoics used to handle insults and verbal sleights. Then we immediately put them to use in an audio simulation training, where I insult you and you practice interpreting them with the right frames. At first, this process may seem a bit strange or uncomfortable, or humourous, but this is how we learn. We must practice using skills in low-stress situations if we ever hope to have them at our disposal in high-stress situations, i.e. when someone insults us in the world. Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a textNote: This contains powerful imagery that some may find upsetting. If you are very sensitive to challenging imagery, do the other meditations before this one. This meditation uses the powerful Stoic technique of premeditation of adversity to make you contemplate just how "bad" your life could be. By practicing negative visualization, you will see with great clarity how wonderful your life currently is, and also rehearse handling hardship with equanimity and virtue. Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a textThis meditation draws on Epictetus' advice for handling strong feelings of both aversion and desire. Is it wise to avoid things that are not within our control? And what is the balance when it comes to passionate desire? We reflect on these questions.Learn more about the concepts in this lesson here: https://www.stoichandbook.co/aversion-and-desire/Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a textIn this guided reflection, we look at the Stoic technique of "object deconstruction," which can help us to see our cravings and attachments in a more objective, rational way, and therefore reduce the delusory framing we put around them. This guided lesson is based on Chapter 3 of the Enchiridion, in which Epictetus states: "In the case of particular things that delight you, or benefit you, or to which you have grown attached, remind yourself of what they are. Start with things of little value. If it is china you like, for instance, say, ‘I am fond of a piece of china.’ When it breaks, then you won’t be as disconcerted."By practicing "object deconstruction" regularly, you will learn the skill of not getting wrapped up with the stories you tell yourself about your attachments, which can include relationships, pleasures, possessions, and habits.  You can read my extended version of the chapter here: https://www.stoichandbook.co/attachment-to-possessions/Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a textSeneca’s death is legendary because of the way he exhibited his Stoic values right until the end. Premeditation of adversity is one of the great Stoic techniques in which you mentally fortify yourself against future misfortunes. Arguably the most powerful variation of this is the contemplation of one’s death. In this guided visualization, I put you in the body of Seneca on his last day so you can experience a simulation of what he experienced. As you go through this difficult process, pay attention to your emotions and try as best as you can to mimic the thoughts and feelings of this great Stoic. Find a quiet place and set aside 15 minutes to give this exercise a go. You will find that your levels of anxiety go down by psychologically exposing yourself to stressors and practicing acceptance of them. Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a textStoicism can at first appear rather paradoxical. We are told the external world is not within our control and that we should focus all of our energy on our inner world. But where do goals factor in? How do we focus on becoming a better Stoic and becoming a better person? This is what this audio is all about. The Stoics were not against setting goals, but they did warn against aiming at goals that create unnecessary suffering and heartache. In this guided visualization, I walk you through the Stoic approach to setting and attaining your goals. The Stoic goal-setting method will do two things: Increase the chances of you attaining your goal Reduce unnecessary suffering as you progress toward itSupport the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a textI used to suffer from very intense anxiety for the better part of a decade. That quest led me down many rabbit holes of personal development and philosophy that I otherwise would have missed. Now I help people work with difficult emotions using what I’ve learned, with an emphasis on Stoicism. Anxiety is crippling and somewhat inescapable in the modern world.The mainstream media purposefully make us worry, advertisements increase our performance anxiety and health anxiety, and social media does not make it easier to socialize in the real world. In today’s audio lesson, I begin by sharing the 4 scientific models we use for understanding the cause of anxiety. When you learn these, for the first time you’ll have some idea of what’s going on and how to fix it. After that, I explain the 3 core Stoic interventions for overcoming our anxiety.For those who want to go deeper… Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a textI was recently asked to give a Stoicism talk by Peter Limberg on The Stoa. This episode contains that entire talk. But before I get into the workshop description… I just want to give a shout-out to Peter, who hosts regular epic workshops and discussions by fascinating thinkers, for free. Peter describes The Stoa as follows:"The Stoa is not a school, think tank, clinic, or commune, and it is definitely not a f*****g YouTube channel. The Stoa is a stewarded daemonic fire—on an obscure hill in the noosphere—serving as a beacon to find the others. It is a surprise, for those who have become weary of the endless pressure to know. It is also a portal, to a new world. A world that you might have stopped believing in, but have always been secretly longing for."— Peter LimbergIn my workshop, I reveal the system I use for both myself and my students in Askesis to learn Stoicism. Introducing The 4885 System...Stoicism is quite large, and life is messy. Knowing when to apply Stoicism, how to apply it, and what to focus on is tricky. I call this the complexity problem. To overcome that problem, I’ve devised the 4885 System. It’s broken down as follows: 4 Skill Categories 8 Critical Skills 8 Core Principles5 Learning Methods When these are all combined and integrated, Stoicism becomes embodied—and this is the goal… embodied Stoicism. Not just concepts. The more visually inclined, you can also watch the video here with slides.Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a textJust a quick note to let you know that The Stoic Handbook podcast is available on Spotify and all other major podcast platforms.  Here you can hit follow and get notified whenever a new lesson or meditation gets released. Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a textIn today’s Stoic Handbook podcast, I explain my approach to dealing with difficult relationships. Difficult relationships are a source of suffering in many of our lives, and the Stoics were aware of this. Marcus’ Meditations was filled with notes to himself suggesting that he be tolerant and compassionate with others. This is a famous example: When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: The people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous and surly. They are like this because they cannot tell good from evil. But I have seen the beauty of good, and the ugliness of evil, and have recognized that the wrongdoer has a nature related to my own - not of the same blood or birth, but the same mind, and possessing a share of the divine. And so none of them can hurt me. No one can implicate me in ugliness. Nor can I feel angry at my relative, or hate him. We were born to work together like feet, hands and eyes, like the two rows of teeth, upper and lower. To obstruct each other is unnatural. To feel anger at someone, to turn your back on him: these are obstructions.— Marcus AureliusIn my personal, Stoicism-inspired approach, I use a 3-code system: Code Yellow = Misaligned Relationships Code Orange = Troubled Relationships Code Red = Toxic RelationshipsEach level of a difficult relationship requires a different approach. What will work with a misaligned relationship could spell disaster for a truly toxic one. I hope this guide helps, and if you have any questions, I’m always happy to provide further clarity on any of the ideas.Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter