The Stoic Handbook by Jon Brooks

Discover how Stoics valued compassion and learn how to develop self-compassion through stoic lovingkindness meditation. Explore Marcus Aurelius' wisdom on showing love and compassion towards others, even difficult people. Gain insights into viewing the behavior of difficult individuals with compassion and recognizing the interconnectedness of humans for achieving happiness.

Send us a textReframing negative events to make them appear more positive and useful is a classic Stoic technique. But can it ever go too far? Is it dangerous to reframe everything into something positive? Stoic writer Donald Robertson answers. Donald's website: https://donaldrobertson.name/Donald's Twitter: https://twitter.com/DonJRobertsonSupport the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Gratitude and appreciation are key to happiness; the podcast explores the magic and beauty in ordinary life; reflection on the improbable existence of humans and gratitude towards ancestors; appreciation for the intricate chain of events that led to our existence and the need for radical gratitude.

Exploring stoicism for anxiety management, understanding the difference between anxiety and fear, effectiveness of stoicism in dealing with anxiety, personal journey of overcoming anxiety, adopting an anti-victim mentality, investigating our relationship with anxiety

Send us a textIn this episode, I speak to the legendary Stoic writer Donald Robertson and ask him about the Stoic view on exercise. More from Donald: https://donaldrobertson.name/Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a textMany of us are interested in philosophy and self-improvement not to become wise, but for the reputation of being wise. Epictetus saw that this pattern of behavior is very counter-productive if one wishes to acquire true wisdom.“If you want to make progress, put up with being perceived as ignorant or naive in worldly matters, don’t aspire to a reputation for sagacity. If you do impress others as somebody, don’t altogether believe it. You have to realize, it isn’t easy to keep your will in agreement with nature, as well as externals. Caring about the one inevitably means you are going to shortchange the other.”After listening to this episode, read the breakdown here: https://www.stoichandbook.co/do-not-wish-to-appear-wise/Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a text"If you want to make progress, drop reflections like: ‘I will end up destitute if I don’t take better care of my affairs,’ or, ‘Unless I discipline my slave, he’ll wind up good for nothing.’ It is better to die of hunger free of grief and apprehension than to live affluent and uneasy. Better that your slave should be bad than that you should be unhappy."— EpictetusIn this episode, I explore the topic of stress and worry. I begin by looking at the game most of us play, and then offer a Stoic alternative recommended by Epictetus. ✍️ Get the Stoic diagrams for this episode here. Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a textIn this lesson, I ask Donald Robertson about the difference between reading about Stoicism and practicing it, and we discuss what would happen if Marcus Aurelius time traveled to modern times. Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a textAnd when asked what he had learned from philosophy, Diogenes replied, “To be prepared for every fortune.“— William B. Irvine, A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic JoyDiogenes is the most famous of the Cynics, a branch of philosophy that served as the precursor for traditional Stoicism. Diogenes was a bizarre fellow for a number of reasons. He lived inside a barrel and shunned any form of luxurious living. Diogenes only ate when he was starving hungry and drank when he was gaspingly thirsty. This allowed him to enjoy a simple cup of water as if it was the world’s most expensive wine.The core of Diogenes' thought was based on his observation that “bad men obey their lusts as servants obey their masters,” and because we are so bad at controlling our desires, we can never find contentment. This is why Diogenes was so intent on being the master of his own lust and attachments.Perhaps Diogenes' greatest and most memorable display of Stoic superhero strength was in his meeting with Alexander the Great. Alexander was taught by Aristotle and had brilliant admiration for great thinkers. One day when riding through Greece Alexander encountered Diogenes, a philosopher he had heard many great things about. The legend states that upon meeting Diogenes, Alexander asked the philosopher if there was anything he could give him.Alexander at this point in time was the most powerful man in the world, and he was extremely hot-tempered. There were stories of Alexander having his best friends executed for disrespecting him. So when he offered Diogenes a gift, nobody would have expected the words that would have come out of the strange philosopher’s mouth:“Yes,” said Diogenes, “stand a little out of my sun.”Diogenes was so steadfast in his Stoic way of living he even risked the wrath of Alexander the Great to demonstrate it. Diogenes was not someone who just lived his philosophy, he was continuously on the lookout for opportunities to teach it and his meeting with Alexander presented one.It worked. So taken aback by this reply, and admired the courage and wit of Diogenes so much, he said to his followers laughing, “But truly if I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.”Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a textThe "What If" Technique comes from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), which is an effective, science-backed therapeutic system inspired by Stoic philosophy and it helps you discover the root of your anxieties.This meditation is one of over a dozen found in Stoic Anxiety Mastery. Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter