The Stoic Handbook by Jon Brooks

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

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. Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

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 StoicismSupport the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

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. Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

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. Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

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.Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a text“I’ve spent the last 7 or 8 years of my life with the prime objective of healing my anxiety and I have looked at so many different modalities. This course is the one course that I would recommend to anyone who is dealing with anxiety.”- Nic Stubbs, InterviewerIn this interview, my friend and colleague Nic Stubbs and I  flesh out the details of my new course: Stoic Anxiety Mastery.Who is it for? Why I created it. And how it works.As well as a bunch of other topics around my personal journey with anxiety and how I transformed it from enemy to ally, the reasons why spiritual people shy away from these thoroughly research-backed cognitive healing modalities, and some of Nic's insights from his own struggles with social anxiety.Support the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter

Send us a text Stay updated with all Stoic Handbook podcasts, courses, and articles, you can sign up here. ---This episode features my breakdown of the following quote: For every challenge, remember the resources you have within you to cope with it. Provoked by the sight of a handsome man or a beautiful woman, you will discover within you the contrary power of self-restraint… In time, you will grow to be confident that there is not a single impression that you will not have the moral means to tolerate.— Enchiridion, Chapter 10, EpictetusSupport the showResources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter