The Stoic Handbook with Jon Brooks

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/🔥 🧰  Free SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit

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. 🔥 🧰  Free SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit

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. 🔥 🧰  Free SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit

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.”🔥 🧰  Free SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit

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. 🔥 🧰  Free SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit

Send us a textModern Stoicism says a lot about how to be more resilient and how to "accept things" with equanimity. But what about feelings of joy, awe, and laughter. Can Stoicism help us live a more joyful life... really? I ask Stoicism writer Donald Robertson in a new series where I'll be picking his brain about important Stoic ideas. 🔥 🧰  Free SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit

Send us a textOrder a copy of Verissimus hereStoic author, philosopher and cognitive behavioural therapist, Donald Robertson, returns to discuss his brand new graphic novel, VERISSIMUS. This is the most epic philosophical project that I am aware of to date. If Ridley Scott's Gladiator had a baby with Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, you’d get Verissimus.As you’ll hear in this interview, this project was a massive undertaking, taking nearly 3 years to complete. Detailing the life, times, and philosophy of Marcus Aurelius, the book acts as a historically accurate, action-packed entry point into the Stoic landscape.In this episode, we cover:The process of creating this bookWhy Donald decided to make a graphic novelWhy many Romans actually opposed Marcus AureliusMarcus’ mission to cultivate natural compassion towards all human beings, even his worst enemiesThe absurdity of Stoicism’s most popular criticism Stoicism’s deep influence on early ChristianityThe relationship between intuition and reasonJon's single favourite chapter on StoicismLinks to Donald's Work: Verissimus: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius, by Donald Robertson How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, by Donald RobertsonDonald’s websiteModern Stoicism🔥 🧰  Free SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit

Send us a textThis is a short clip taken from a much longer workshop on turning adversity to advantage, which is a bonus module in Stoic Anxiety Mastery. 🔥 🧰  Free SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit

Send us a textIn a new series, I will be giving short lessons on my favorite "Stoic superheroes," both ancient and modern. We will begin by talking about James Stockdale and the Stockdale Paradox. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with a friend who might benefit from listening. 🔥 🧰  Free SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit

Send us a textIf you deeply recognize that life is impermanent, ever-changing and that everything we enjoy is a gift from the Universe, you can no longer suffer in the same way when things are taken from you.This episode is inspired by the following quote from Epictetus: “Under no circumstances ever say ‘I have lost something,’ only ‘I returned it.’ Did a child of yours die? No, it was returned. Your wife died? No, she was returned. ‘My land was confiscated.’ No, it too was returned.🔥 🧰  Free SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit