Stoicism for a Better Life: Recent Episodes
Anderson Silver
In the pursuit of a purposeful and anxiety-free life, this is a podcast series dedicated to practical applications of Stoic philosophy in our daily lives.
Indifference is the greatest tool we Stoics have in navigating the poop that comes with life. Let us finish the season with some of the best advice Epictetus gives us. - Let it go.
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I get knocked down...but I get up again! You ain't never gonna keep me down. Chumbawamba got it right. But how do we get back up when we get knocked down? Let me share another trick our Stoic ancestors teach us - Remember that you are part of the whole and a larger body.
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We keep aiming for higher highs and judge our awesomeness on whether we attain said highs. However, true strength comes from the capacity to get back to yourself (your true self) at any given moment, especially when things around you seem difficult.
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I was asked if I believe in rebirth. Let's talk about Metempsychosis) and treating every day as day one. If you can treat every day as a rebirth and the first day of a new behaviour pattern, you will find this cheat-code very useful.
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There is a White Wolf (positive voice) and a Dark Wolf (negative wolf). The Dark Wolf inside us is filled with fear, anger, envy, jealousy, greed, and arrogance. The White Wolf is filled with peace, love, hope, courage, humility, compassion, and faith. They battle constantly, so make sure you feed the one you want, not the one your body (the vessel) wants.
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We are naturally pessimistic animals, as pessimism was a necessary survival tool for our species. However, in today's modern world, pessimism is no longer necessary. Moreover, it is 100% detrimental to our mental health and general attitude. Practicing gratitude is the single most effective tool against pessimism. So, grab a pen and your journal and practice gratitude to save your body, mind, soul and general attitude towards life.
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Patience is the highest virtue. We've all heard this expression, but how does it impact your life, virtue and mental state/anxieties? You may be surprised how tightly wound together patience and the quality of your life is.
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In today's colloquial language, there are two definitions of happiness: One meaning joy and elation; and one meaning equanimity and tranquility. If you have trouble attaining happiness, then you are probably defining it the wrong way. Let me share with you what our ancient Stoic teachers had to say.
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What is the best hobby that you can do to reset your mind, body and soul? Is it meditation? Is it shooting guns? Is it hiking, or motorcycling? Let me share with you what works for this old Stoic.
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You might have heard me say over and over again...as long as you remember who you are, what you are and where you are, nothing in this temporal world can harm you. In this episode, I will expand on this.
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Yup...we've all been there... a million times. You think you're doing well and life is finally working out, but then out of nowhere WHAMMO! Some set-back happens and you lose perspective and all of a sudden life seems overwhelming and impossible. You lose motivation and can't even fathom getting back to virtue. Let me share with you how I get back to the good Stoic ways.
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Yup...we've all been there... a million times. You think you're doing well and life is finally working out, but then out of nowhere WHAMMO! Some set-back happens and you lose perspective and all of a sudden life seems overwhelming and impossible. You lose motivation and can't even fathom getting back to virtue. Let me share with you how I get back to the good Stoic ways.
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Overwhelmed by the amount of responsibilities you have in life? Here's what a Stoic has to say about it. Join me on episode 108 of SFBL for more.
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You have heard the expression "Blood is thicker than water?" Did you know that the ACTUAL expression is "The Blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb"? This episode will delve into how to handle family relationships from the perspective of a Stoic.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Perspective is everything. It helps bring the whole of the cosmos into a simple understandable state. It helps one overcome anything. So how do we tap into the right perspective? This is an intimate question that is unique to each individual. However, I will share what helps me in case it helps you.
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What will Stoicism actually bring you? Today I share with you my view on what Stoicism brings you after having been a Prokopton for over a decade. Stoicism is not what you think it is...this might surprise you!
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Life is tough...wars everywhere...so much hate speech...someone is probably on your case...overworking...groceries are expensive...so I spent some time meditating on how to find strength. Let me share with you what I identified.
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How do you prep for the future but live for the moment? This is today's great question and topic from pgdaq. A good question that comes up often as we are taught to live for the moment (one day at a time...) yet we are also taught to prep & save for the future...What the what? Come on in and listen to what our ancient Stoic guides have to say.
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Join me today as we swim together out of the murky waters.Thank you Nikki for inspiring today's episode. The question is how to get out of a funk, and the answer is easy...ish. Once we define what a funk is and where it is we want to go, the journey becomes much clearer and easy.
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Welp...life is kicking my butt...just like you. But what else can we do, but try and find the most virtuous foot in front of the other...one step at a time. I am unable to record videos at this time, nor can I continue my reading of the books (maybe next year) But for this season, I am going to do what I can, which is a short, unedited audio podcast (that's right...we're going back OLD SCHOOL to the first few seasons!).Today I am answering the question of how to quit smoking/vaping or any other addiction. The answer is simple but it might surprise you. Lots of love from me to you and here we go with another season (albeit chaotically!)--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
The pursuit of a tranquil life...let us conclude now that we have read through the chapters, what this all means for you (if anything) and how you can change your approach to life to better every aspect of it.
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THIS IS THE CHAPTER YOU WANT. If there is one chapter you read from this book, this is it. How do you find tranquillity in this life? By having a why. How do you know what your purpose (or Why) is? By clearly identifying your necessities. Here we outline a step by step guide for identifying your purpose in life.
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We're wrapping up and concluding the general thoughts slowly. Today it is about philosophy and why the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is the only way to freedom, joy and tranquillity.
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Thinking about the suffering of others and working towards their betterment is a sure fire source of joy in life. Last Chapter we spoke about why Loving thy neighbour is the only option and a great source of joy. This chapter we conclude and hammer it home: Seriously...Love Thy Neighbour!
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Here's the third Q&A of the season. We've got a few questions on motivation & perspective and one heavy topic like talking to 10 y/o about suicide. Join me for the third and last Q&A of the season, as we close up on the 100th episode.
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The chapter is called 'Love Thy Neighbour'. Learning to love others and put their suffering before yourself is a fundamental key to happiness and joy in life.
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Who are you? You look in the mirror and say "I". You look at a picture of you from 10 years ago and say "I". Yet the two entities you are looking at are not the same. They do not look the same. They do not exist in the same moment of space-time. So who is "I"?
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This is the one many of you have been waiting for. What the heck do we do with our emotions? How can I possibly be anxiety free while I have these messed up thoughts and feelings within? Lend me your ear and let me tell you how I deal with it.
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Why is life so hard? Why must everything be so difficult? Why do I feel like the universe is sometimes conspiring against me...all the time? These are universal questions that transcend all "differences" between us, and the answer is exactly what you think it is. There is no fair...or unfair. Life just is and the universe is thus. We have no say in the matter no matter how upset we are or how loud we yell. Accepting this, is the key to shaking the yolk of the human condition.
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Here's the second Q&A of the season. We've got an admission of guilt and wrongdoing by yours truly, and tips on staying motivated and focused, as well as dealing with the overwhelming force of life on a day to day. I got you fam...I know it's hard, but I've got tricks up my sleeve I can share with you. Come join me would you for a few minutes, give me your time and I promise you'll get a few chuckles and leave a better human being. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andersonsilver/message
Pursue goals with NO reservations and at ANY cost. Go GRAB the BULL by the horns. You get to your goal QUICKLY (preferably quicker than your competition) and you WILL find happiness. We've all been taught this garbage over and over again growing up at home, school and on TV. Today...this is a core pillar of your misery.
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If you can answer this problem, then you don't need to listen to this episode: Freewill...does it truly exist? Yes, you are choosing to read this. But science tells us everything is predetermined, hence formulas that can very accurately predict things. How do you reconcile these two? How can we have freewill, if we live in a world bound by universal rules that can be predicted?
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Neil Armstrong may be best known for his quote "One small step for man...", but his greatest contribution to posterity, in my opinion, is the attitude he practiced and preached after he came back from stepping on another celestial object and staring back at everything he ever knew: Life is a short term phenomenon.
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See the world as it is...not as you see it. This is possibly the greatest trick the devil ever pulled (the fact that we don't even realize we're on the hedonic treadmill). We forget we are a small spec... unspecial in every way....and we freely throw false value judgments on everything.
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Here's the first Q&A of the season. We've got three (technically four) questions starting with pets and ending with introspective reflection.
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Strap in for some incest, murder, genocide and extinction. We're talking about how homo sapiens exterminated all other human species despite being one of the least successful species (yeah I said it...prove me wrong). Oh yeah...there's some Stoicism in there somewhere too...perhaps some wisdom, but no promises and no refunds.
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You've already heard it a million times..."it's not the destination, it's the journey". Let's explain that real quick quick. Don't forget, the Q&A airs in two episodes, so get your questions in on your read-along or wtv. Instagram is a good bet or any other link on StoicismForaBetterLife.com - Let's Talk. I'm excited! Are you?
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This is the way...literally. For two millennia, people have been preaching these philosophical precepts and claiming it gave them freedom and peace from within. It may not be the answer for you, but then again, it might.
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Growing up I never read the preface of a book. I always thought "what the hell, I bought the book to read the damn thing...why are you bothering me with a short mis-en-context to put the whole thing into perspective in a convenient package." If only I knew then what I know now, I would have gotten so much more value out of the same effort. A preface puts the entire book into the context the author wants you to view it. Try not to skip them. But you can skip this one if you want. Except don't.
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As I do every year, I am looking to adapt the podcast and try something new. I was going to wrap it all up and call it a day on these series, but I got inspired to do three more seasons before I potentially hang up the towel. I'm just trying to do what I can and make the world a better place one conversation at a time. This season will have LOTS of opportunities to interact. Keep an eye out for those Q&As!
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A prayer is just a form of meditation. And even though the origins of the prayer as e know it today are not exactly from Stoic sources (just like the terms Amor Fati and Memento Mori). However, we still use them today to summarize a collection of ideas that are representative of our school. The Serenity / STOIC prayer is no different and as Prokoptons we should all be reminded of this once in a ALL THE TIME.
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The MOST powerful tool we have in our arsenal is our own rational mind. For millennia, intelligent and self-aware individuals have kept rigid journals/logs in a disciplined manner. One of our school's most popular books is quite literally the journal of a Roman Emperor (or what survives of it). Journalling is clearly a powerful tool and over the past decade, I have spent my time perfecting my journaling methodology. No...it is not rocket science. But it is nice to define what it is we want to accomplish. The goal: PEACE of MIND. The Means: Your JOURNAL.
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I'm not sure how everyone else does it, but I can't help being angry and emotional. I feel them daily, no matter how 'focused' or 'present' or 'mindful' I am. But I've kind of found a way to deal with it.
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This episode is all about one of those "BEAK GLASS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY" meditations (Stoic or otherwise). I came up with this gem of a meditation a few years back while I happened to be binging on Epictetus et al...and while watching the second season of the awesome TV series Lucifer. I shamelessly usurped a catchphrase from who else but the most stoic of all angels ... Lucifer Morningstar. Come devil-worshipping with me.
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We bond and unite under many banners. Corporations...school...family...gang...sports teams.... so I figure why not also unite under a banner that stands for doing the RIGHT thing ONLY because it is the right thing to do, PERIOD. Or at least try their best to do so. That's SFBL.
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If we live and exist in the present moment only, then we can only feel / think / assess one thing at a time. So the capacity to find virtue no matter what, anytime anywhere is a Stoic superpower that allows you to find peace and equanimity whenever YOU feel like it.
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Being stronger is good. It's good for you and good for the world, for you are part of the world. But is there such a thing as too much? Like anything else, of course, there is. And naturally, the next question will be 'so how much is too much?' The answer, as always, will depend on you, your reality, your purpose...essentially it will depend on (you guessed it) your necessities.
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Who can honestly say that they LOVE making mistakes? A true Stoic can and I'll explain why while Epictetus explains how.
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One of my favourite things in my newfound life is being wrong. Most of us hate being wrong (come on...be honest...) but we should instead rejoice at the idea. If one can detach from emotions, we can easily see that being wrong immediately provides us with an opportunity to better ourselves or our fortune somehow. Trying to force ourselves to do what we inherently don't want to do, is just as wrong as trying to convince ourselves and the world that 2+2=3. It is simply wrong and contrary to reality and our nature. The conclusion, therefore, is self-evident:
By simply embracing our nature, we never have to "seek motivation" or "discipline" for anything.
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Once upon a time, there was a guy named Hope, who met a gal named Fear and they lived happily ever after...or something like that. Check-in to see what Epictetus has to say about it.
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I have a confession to make. I have vices. I enjoy pleasure. And boy do those things cause me distractions. If you happen to have a similar disposition, boy oh boy are you gonna enjoy the episode...or my dad joke at the end...or both...or neither.
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We've all seen pictures of earth from space. We saw the same pictures...no borders. Those imaginary lines that we grew up with...and spent hours in "History" classrooms learning which border moved in what direction when...they don't actually exist. Some people made them up and we all kind of go along with it for simplicity's sake. But when those imaginary lines begin causing conflict and for generations upon generations of kids being taught to HATE, well then we should take a second to reconsider what they are and what humanity means.
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Love is hard and confusing right? Nah...it's JUST an emotion. A strong emotion...possibly one of the strongest emotions along with anger, hate and fear... but LOVE is still only an emotion. So, don't let emotions take you away from your ruling faculty. Epictetus may have some words of clarity and encouragement for you, and I'm rocking a man bun with the new microphone. Let's do some Stoicism.
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What I forgot to say is that I received the new mic last night. That's why I was re-recording last minute....Nothing but the best for you guys. 😘
By now we all know about the duality within. As we work to strengthen our real selves (that is, our rational minds/consciousness/spirit/soul/tomato/etc.) we ALSO strengthen our animal minds. So if we don't pay attention, we may lose the ruling faculty for an extended time...So listen to Nietzsche and be vigilant.
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When it comes to finding direction in life, whether it is your 1st time or your 1000th time, the way is clear: Find your necessities and follow them to your true north. Tend to your spirit, your soul, your consciousness, your rational mind. This is the way...
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Life is tough....days are tough...everything takes work, so how do you get motivated? Some guy from 2,000 years ago might have some tricks for you!
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Stoicism is not focused on death, but instead, it is focused on maximizing our efforts in life. Dare to do something with your time, for it is the only thing you cannot make more of!
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Today's inspiration comes from my personal copy of Seneca’s Moral Letters from a STOIC. Stoicism is a practical philosophy, meaning you “do Stoicism” bit by reading and repeating quotes, but by acting like the best gosh darn human being you can be in the present moment. #DearAnderson #StoicismforaBetterLife #SFBL #HowDoesaSTOIClive
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Times they are a changing...and this guy is adjusting. I will be making some changes in 2022 of how I interact with my fans (and INTERACT is the opportune word). My goal this year is to have a meaningful conversation with one of you every day. Whether it's merely conversing, or answering questions. #DearAnderson #StoicismforaBetterLife.
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For this last episode of Season 3, I leave you with this simple task: KEEP GETTING BETTER!
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Things change. Always have, always will. We perceive things change and usually don't care for the most part.........that is until the change inconveniences us. This episode explores what we can do with those feelings.
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We have our duality within. You know which one is usually right. You know which one brings you more lasting peace. So just listen to it!
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Want to show a force of strength so that the whole world knows beyond a shadow of a doubt just how strong you are?
Then try and forgive someone who wronged you. True forgiveness takes a lot of strength and only those who have TRULY forgiven will know how hard it is. Go ahead...try it....I double-dog dare you.
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We are not superheroes. But we expect ourselves to be superhuman. Learn to accept your limitations and you will find peace and equanimity. What could be more conducive to a virtuous constitution than a mind at peace and in equanimity? If you know it, tell me cause I want to know as well.
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Missing sleep? Can't fall or stay asleep? Here are some Stoic pointers to help you remedy the situation. Sleep better, get your rest so that you can be the best version of yourself that you can be the next day.
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The only things for certain in life are death and taxes. Wait...if American billionaires are any indication, taxes are NOT a certainty in life. But I am yet to meet someone who has escaped death. We all have a shelf life and an expiry date, which means we have limited time as it will quite literally run out. So why do we live as if we will not run out of time?
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Ever sit in complete silence without any distractions and just listen to your thoughts? Yeah....this is why I wrote this episode.
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In the western world (especially) we are PLAGUED with wanting to have more stuff and better things...better than before...better than others. But one question we forget to ask ourselves is: Do I really actually need that? Or did I just give up my hard-earned time and money in exchange for a collection of atoms that will end up in a landfill?
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Just like you build muscles one fibre at a time...or a Lego Millenium Falcon one Lego piece at a time, so do you build your virtue one moment at a time.
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It is important to have goals. Whether it is a daily goal, weekly, annual, lifetime, bucket list, squad goals, etc. goals offer a general roadmap of how best to plan our time and resources. However, we must never forget that our puny efforts are of no consequence when compared to the overwhelming quantity of variables in the domain of the universe's sphere of control. So have goals. We should all have them. Just remember that the end result of your goal will almost certainly not match the idea or design you have in your mind at the onset of the goal. Aim for the target...be content to miss it as long as you tried your best. And who knows...the missed target might actually be the better one! Just keep trying and doing your best.
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Some life lessons from our ancient older cousins (The Cynics). Simplify your life, make more time and find the happiness and tranquillity you seek. The episode also discusses whether Cynicism can actually be considered a philosophy.
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Judge good. Not judge good. Judge bad! Not judge bad! The fact of the matter is that reality is, it doesn't matter (at least as far as the pursuit of a virtuous life is concerned). In this episode, I make a counterargument to an earlier episode.
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We live once and therefore live one lifetime. You can try and extend your life through healthy lifestyle choices. But when we say "healthy lifestyle choices" we tend to only think in the physical realm (exercise, eat well, drink plenty of water, etc). We forget about the spiritual (mental) part of it. Not only can we get live multiple lifetimes by reading others' stories and perspectives, but reading itself has some significant positive impact on our lives (i.e. it is a healthy lifestyle choice).
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Your journal is your most powerful tool, so make sure you use one! Your journal is your most powerful tool, so make sure you use one! Your journal is your most powerful tool, so make sure you use one! Your journal is your most powerful tool, so make sure you use one! Your journal is your most powerful tool, so make sure you use one! You get the point.
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Our school delineates steps and tools to attain peace of mind. OK. Can we just follow the steps then to attain peace of mind within the day? Is Stoicism a script to be followed and applied once with results for perpetuity? We all know by now, the answer is (unfortunately) no. Look we know what to do, but we are human beings. We cannot be perfect or sages. So just keep pushing in the right direction (towards virtue) no matter how much push back you get.
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It's all in the title. The formula our school teaches us for happiness is very straightforward: Figure out what it is that will bring you virtue, and go out there and do it again and again. Simple concept, sure. But so so very hard in its application. So let's break things down a little in this episode.
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You have ideas, thoughts and opinions. And when you decide on an opinion, you don't come to it lightly. You evaluate, consider and mull over your options (hopefully) before you come to a conclusion on what your opinions are. But even with all that reflection can you be certain that your opinions are the ultimately correct ones?
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We tend to think of virtue and sagehood as stick in the mud, boring type monotone people. However, nothing in the rulebook says you must not have fun in order to cultivate a more virtuous self. In fact, it is quite the opposite. A little entertainment is not only okay, but necessary. So R&R in reasonable and consistent doses can be actually beneficial to you in your pursuit of a better self. Yes, you heard it right.....this episode makes a case for letting loose (like drinking wine) being a necessary tool for virtue.
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Seneca say, Prokopton do. Just another reminder that our efforts and intentions are all that matter. Virtue is not found in the result of said actions, as the results depend on much more than our mere efforts. But our intentions are entirely within our control.
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We exist in these bio-suits we call bodies, and these vessels come with prebuilt survival mechanisms. Some are physical (e.g. you flinch when something is thrown at you without thinking about it) and others are psychological (e.g. emotions). Emotions are precoded in our genes and have helped our ancestors survive. But in our modern-day and age they are outdated. We can't get rid of the emotions as they are tied to the body and we can't exist without the body(...yet). So when you have an emotional reaction to something, try and get back to your self quickly and be rational. Reject the knee jer reaction (Proto emotion) and respond with your rational mind (the real you).
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Being wrong is the BEST! I know, I know, as a society we hate to admit we are wrong. This is no surprise given that we are pitted against one another and goated to outdo the competition (i.e. our fellow human beings). But in reality, we are always wrong. And being wrong is the best because it gives us an opportunity to improve ourselves. How can we be better without identifying something that is wrong or that requires improvement! So I love being wrong because it is the first step to becoming better and offers an immediate source for improvement.
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We are social animals with a capacity for reason. If virtue is working towards the betterment of humanity, then building relationships with our fellow cosmopolitans becomes a necessity. If we want to lead by example, if we want to share our knowledge with the most number of people and if we are looking to enjoy this journey we’re on called life, we should work actively to try and make new friends along the way, make new acquaintances, or open up new avenues for communication.
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No matter what you're pursuing in life, the ultimate cost is time. Given that time is the ultimate resource we have and that it is the only resource we cannot replenish, we should take the time to think rationally about how we spend our time. Make a conscious effort to spend your time wisely in the most value-added way possible.
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Being busy is a siren call we all fall prey to. But being busy does not mean we are being productive. And being productive without a goal, purpose or plan is does not necessarily mean we are being virtuous or that we are living a good life worthy of living. Take a moment to objectively and consciously identify what's truly important to you in your life right Here and Now.
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Whether introverted or extraverted, we are all guilty of dodging social gatherings sometimes. Whether we look for excuses to leave early, cancel at the last minute, or avoid them altogether, we all too often pass up on an opportunity to cultivate our relationships. Epictetus reminds us this is a reaction of our primitive minds...not us. Especially today, it is still possible to interact with people while wearing a mask and social distancing.
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We are all aware of the perils of social media, but we can also acknowledge it can be a great and powerful tool. So avoiding social media would not be a good choice, we have much to benefit from it. Instead we should try and make conscious decisions on how and when we use social media.
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We all want to be kind. And we all like to think we are a kind person. Yet most of us do not prioritize looking for acts of kindness throughout our days. Time is short so if you want to be a kind person, look for an active way in which to be kind for other people. It's easy to be kind when it's called upon, but you can definitely find additional proactive ways to be kind. And you should do this simply because you can.
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We tend to judge our accomplishments on results. Even when it comes to our moral decision making, we tend to look at the final result in evaluating how good/bad we were. However, let us never forget that results are not entirely dependent on us. Intentions for actions are entirely within our control, but as results get away from us in time and space, the less control we have over the final result.
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If your goal is to improve yourself and make yourself better, do it with a sense of urgency, for you do not have much time left in this temporal existence. Every day we die...one day closer to the final death. So don't waste time. Make your virtue and bettering yourself a priority and actively work on it as often as you can.
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Our bodies and our minds are like tools or muscles. We use them to perceive the world external to our thoughts, and we use them to interact with the same external world. As with any tool or muscle, overuse without rest and repair, we can damage them...some times even beyond repair. So take care of your mind, which we tend to neglect. And take care of your body. It is not selfish to rest sometimes. It is virtuous because it helps you be a better person.
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It is undeniable that who we hang out with impacts our personality. One way or another, tow people who spend time with each other will rub off certain traits on now another. Some people will absorb more than other, but everyone gets affected by the company they keep. So make a conscious effort in who you spend time with and how you spend it. Give yourself the best chance to be virtuous.
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We exist in these imperfect vessels we call a body. These bodies come with their own emotions and defence mechanisms. As such, it is impossible to be emotionless. We will always have knee-jerk emotional responses, this we cannot change. We can, however, control how quickly we get back to ourselves. So try and curb your body's response as quickly as you can and get back to being a reasonable rational person.
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It is up for debate whether our free-will is an illusion or a real thing. But one thing is for sure: From our perspective, we feel like we definitely have free-will. Life essentially can be boiled down to making choices and decisions in the present moment. So use your free-will actively.
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Addictions...we all have them. Some are more obvious, others more clandestine. Here is an opportunity to identify one, accept it distracts us from being mindful in the present moment, and actively work to remove it with a reasonable short term goal.
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We often forget that there are 7.6 billion other people on this planet. We get so lost in our own self-involvement. This episode is all about recognizing other people and their own journeys and supporting them.
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The more my island of knowledge grows, so does my shore of ignorance. Knowledge is power and philosophy is the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. However, we make the grave mistake of overestimating our knowledge. The same way Socrates was the wisest man in all of Athens because he knew what he did not know, we must admit not only what we do not know, but also that what we know can be improved upon.
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I received a great question (voicemail) from a listener that I had to take some time to answer. We keep saying "Nothing can be good or bad" yet we also preach moral goodness. How can we reconcile the two?
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A special COVID-19 release:
I've released two episodes to help with the current Pandemic situation and give some very pertinent Stoic practices to help you through these uncertain, anxious and though times. Here are five additional useful Stoic practices for you.
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A special COVID-19 release:
I'm releasing two episodes to help with the current Pandemic situation and give some very pertinent Stoic practices to help you through these uncertain, anxious and though times.
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Here's the final exercise for Season 1 of Stoicism for a Better Life, and boy is it a doozie! Let's walk through a logical mental exercise to narrow down what it is we can actually and tangibly do to live the best possible life we can.
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Being tough, having self-control (say enough to be able to take cold showers) and depriving yourself of luxuries is NOT virtuous. Virtue is found in our effort, not in our self-punishment. However, often a virtuous mindset will lead to a simpler life. The motivation, however, remains the gauge for whether your act is virtuous or not.
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We know for a fact that our time here is limited. Moreover, our loved ones' time here is limited. So spend time with them while you can.
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The past is in the past, the future is uncertain. The only time when we can interact with the world is in our present moment, right here, right now.
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We live in a culture of consumerism. Buy, buy, buy...own, collect and have. But do we really need all that we own? Do you really need your stuff?
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No matter where we are in life or what's happening around us, we only have one job: Be a good human being.
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Although we can't really control our proto-emotions (your knee jerk reactions to stimuli), we really do have a choice to gain back control of our emotions and means. Even when something "bad" happens, we can always find something "good" to find in that situation to focus on. We can and should make a conscious and concerted effort to think more positively when possible. This is how we can shift our emotional spectrum to a healthier one.
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We tend to busy ourselves thinking we will get more out of life. But one who enjoys life gets more from it then one who employs it (Lao Tzu). However, our time is very limited, so we don't want to be lethargic. We want to accomplish good things that are truly meaningful to us. So let us identify what these reasons are and make sure we are busy working towards them, as opposed to working towards the wrong reasons.
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You've heard me say it time and time again: Virtue is not about perfection, but about trying your best. In order to try your best, however, you must make good decisions and judgments as often as possible. To that end, we must make an effort to use our time purposefully, in order to be the best we can be, as often as we can be.
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Why are you listening to this podcast? I've heard them myself, and it can't possibly be for my voice. No, you're here listening to this in order to better yourself through the use and application of philosophy. Philosophy, then, is not a trifle, game or form of entertainment. Embrace it as a guide for life that should be used and applied more regularly, for more regular results.
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All anxieties stem from the fundamental error of wanting something we cannot want. Wishing and hoping for a different reality, where things or events are more favorable to us is nonsensical. Another reality doesn't exist. Things can't be any different. So it we can learn to accept the way things are and not wish for things out of our control, then we can easily ditch our anxieties.
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We are not guilty of not having enough time. We are guilty of spending time in the wrong places. Although habits can be a good thing, can we reclaim some time form our habits to divert towards more virtuous ventures?
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Virtue is to be found in all our actions and every little effort counts. Does judging others make you more virtuous?
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You would be surprised how often we let looks affect our judgment about people, things, events, etc. To be a good, fair and just human being, we must learn to shed our biases based on looks and try and see the world more objectively.
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As Shakespeare famously said, " there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking it makes it so." Things and events external to our judgments and thoughts are just that: Externals. They don't actually go in your brain and make you think one way nor the other. So events by themselves are not good or bad, only our judgments about them are. In that case, why not cast away your judgments and be at peace?
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Have you ever stopped to consider that anger is merely a refusal to accept what is actually happening? As far as us human beings can perceive, there is only one timeline with one reality happening going in one direction. If there is one reality, that we can't change no matter what, then complaining about it is our own fault, for complaining about it is merely not accepting reality the way it is.
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Virtue is being rational, honest and honourable. Spending our very precious time in a virtuous way means working for the betterment of humanity. But acts of virtue do not need to be grandiose or impactful in a major way. Virtue can be found and practiced everywhere. We can even find it in the entertainment we choose.
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Virtue is being rational, honest and honourable. Spending our very precious time in a virtuous way means working for the betterment of humanity. But acts of virtue do not need to be grandiose or impactful in a major way. Virtue can be found and practiced everywhere, including in what you eat.
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Virtue is being rational, honest and honourable. Spending our very precious time in a virtuous way means working for the betterment of humanity. But acts of virtue do not need to be grandiose or impactful in a major way. Virtue can be found and practiced everywhere. We can find virtue in the meaningful conversations we have during meals.
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Welcome to Stoicism for a Better Life. In this episode, I will discuss the purpose of the podcast series, what to expect from future episodes, how to use future episodes and how to interact with the community if you so choose.
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