JOURNAL OF THE STOIC GYM

STOIC SKILLS Chasing the right rabbits Concentrating amid distraction Doing the present work Using logic to avoid fallacies Making use of obstacles Choosing a diet Living until dying

Magazine for modern Stoics

THE STOICVOLUME 3 1 ISSUE 3 MARCH 2021 MARCH 2021 THE STOIC JOURNAL OF THE STOIC GYM

HOW TO CHASE THE RIGHT rabbits

John Bogle , founder of the apply the that we learned? Vanguard Group, one the world’s This is nowhere near as simple as it largest mutual fund companies, has may sound. The gap between what this to say about how we live we know and how we act can be ineffectively: We chase the ‘wrong wide. rabbits’, things that don’t matter, instead of going after the ‘right Can Stoic skills help? rabbits’, things that do matter. Consider situations like these: I challenge myself as to whether the • Whenweseeanadthatgoes rabbit I’ve been chasing all these long something like, “Introducing the years is real. Because the way we look at iPhone XYZ-154353 Ultra: success – wealth, fame, and power– is the newest way to call, text, and take generally the wrong way. pictures,” do we recognize in Dr. Chuck Chakrapani ourselves a surge of desire that Editor-in-Chief There are plenty of people who are clouds the fact that we already have chasing real rabbits, like doctors, poets, a phone that does all these things? artists, and teachers. ... If you are not How do we counter our desires that chasing the right rabbit, then make sure are on auto-pilot? How do we THE STOIC to find the right one.– John Bogle identify the fallcies in our thinking? • Becauseof Covid,weareconfined to Journal of The Stoic Gym The Stoic rabbits our homes, where diversions abound. How do we concentrate on our work Volume 3 Issue 3 How about us? Are we chasing the March 2021 and help our children concentrate on right rabbits or the wrong ones? theirs? © The Stoic Gym, 2021 The Stoics taught us that there are • There are so many things clamouring only four rabbits worth chasing: Published by TheStoicGym.com for our attention. What do we do? wisdom, courage, , and moderation. When do we do them? Did the No other rabbit is worth chasing. Stoics say anything that will help us Issued free online here? Subscribehere There is nothing inherently wrong with wealth, fame, and power. But • We want to practice virtue. But then when we pursue them at the we face many impediments to Follow us on expense of ‘real rabbits’, our practicing virtue. How do you turn stops flowing smoothly. impediments into opportunties for www.TheStoicGym.com practicing virtues? twitter@thestoicgym Chasing the right rabbits is not just Facebook: The Stoic Gym • Dietseemstohavebecomean a matter of intention, It is also a obsession with us. Vegetarianism? matter of developing the skills Veganism? But is the diet we choose BACK ISSUES required. Translating knowledge into anything to do with ? The Stoic Gym does not carry back skills is not an easy task. • Manyof usareworriedabout issues of THE STOIC. They may, dying. We are afraid of death. How Knowing vs. acting do we develop the skill of lving until however, be obtained from dying? Magzter.com: We can read all we want about Stoic https://bit.ly/3aVVmeY wisdom. But, when rubber meets If we view Stoicism as a guide to the road, when we are actually living the good life, we should also facing a life situation, how do we expect Stoicism to provide some Continued... Next page THE STOIC 2 MARCH 2021 From the previous page guidance in situations like the ones by. but a means of appplying Stoic on external things. No action in and of described above. Even though we are principles to everyday situations. itself is good or bad. What matters is familiar with the principles of For example, should you be a vegan or our interpretation of the impressions Stoicism, when we read an ad and get not? There is no single Stoic answer to we receive, the skill of judging them carried away with desire, do we have this question although there is a Stoic the right way. the skill to recognize it for what it is thought process to guide us in making You should never praise or blame someone for and moderate our desire? This is where our decision. What we end up doing an action that may be good or bad, but for the the Stoic skills, the main theme of this may depend on our motives and the for his action – their judgment about issue of THE STOIC, come in. context. What is expected of us is the it. Judgments are unique to each individual rational application of Stoic prinicples. and they are what make one’s action good or Skills require practice bad. – ,Discourses 4.4 (lightly We cannot develop Stoic skills by Only one thing matters paraphrased) reading about them. We need to It does not matterwhat your actual Only one thing matters: your practice them. So the purpose of this action is. Whatever it is, by itself it issue is to draw your attention to the judgment. As long as it is rational, the does not matter. What does matter is right actions follow. This is the most relevance of Stoicism to the problems why you made the decision. Your basic of all Stoic skills. we face in our daily . judgment matters. Your rationality Stoicism is a rational way of thinking. matters. In the final analysis, Stoicism Chuck Chakrapani Stoic skills are not a set of rules to live is resting on your own rationality, not LIMITEDTIME FREE EBOOK OFFER ABOUT THE BOOK During the Fall-Winter 2020 season, two modern Stoics, Tim LeBon and Chuck Chakrapani, exchanged a series of letters on . Which ancient Stoic concepts are still useful? Which ones are not useful? Their letters explored the following topics: • What are the cobwebs and gems of Stoicism? • What did Stoics think about ? • Is their idea of God still relevant today? • Do we have to accept to be a Stoic? • Is Stoic physics really necessary? • What about ? • Is the really benevolent? • Is the universe a living thing? • Does the universe embody wisdom? This book is an edited and expanded version of those conversations with references added. If you are interested in Stoic philosophy as it applies to modern life, you may want to read this book. ABOUT THE AUTHORS Tim LeBon is an accredited CBT psychotherapist, counsellor, and Stoic Life Coach in private practice in London (UK) and one of the founders of Modern Stoicism. Dr. Chuck Chakrapani is the editor of THE STOIC magazine and the author of more than fifteen books on Stoicism, includingUnshakable Freedom andHow to be a Stoic When You Don’t know How.

GET YOUR FREE EBOOKHERE . Paperback is available from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3qWC5TC

THE STOIC 3 MARCH 2021 STOIC SKILLS

HOWTOCHASETHERIGHTRABBITS .2 PLUS Chuck Chakrapani

obstacles asopportunitiesTOPRACTICE .5 Jonas Salzgeber Housekeeping .11 Funwithfallacies .6 General information Sharon Lebell stoiceveryday .12 Thepresentwork .7 Stoic thoughts for every day Piotr Stankiewicz of the month

CONCENTRATIONIN AWORLDOFDISTRACTION .8 Stoicfellowships .14 Meredith A. Kunz Stoic groups around the world

Veganuary (2) .9 Stoicpublications .16 Kai Whiting Our books on Stoicism

Bealiveuntilyoudie .10 Thestoic advisoryboard .22 Seneca

THE STOIC 4 MARCH 2021 THE SKILL OF MAKING USE OF OBSTACLES Obstacles as opportunities – for practicing virtues Every annoying person is a chance for patience, kindness, and forgiveness. Every challenging situation is a chance for perseverance and hard work.

Pain and Provocation: Great Epictetus. Epictetus. If we have a headache, we Opportunities for Virtue Lameness is an impediment to the leg, but can practice not to curse. If it’s For every challenge, remember the resources not to the will. – Enchiridion, 9 abusive words, we can practice you have within you to cope with it. patience. And he underlines that if we Provoked by the sight of a handsome man or Epictetus had a lame leg, and he complain, we must make sure not to a beautiful woman, you will discover within decided to look at it as an impediment complain with our whole being. you the contrary power of self-restraint. to the leg, not the . Pain and sickness, too, are to the body, not the Let’s remind ourselves that every Faced with pain, you will discover the power minor accident that happens to us of endurance. If you are insulted, you will mind. We must not allow to be taken over by self-pity. Such a self-indulgent presents an opportunity to practice discover patience. In time, you will grow to be virtuous behavior. Every headache is a confident that there is not a single impression response will only increase our suffering. chance not to curse. Every attractive that you will not have the moral means to person is a chance for self-restraint. tolerate. – Epictetus, Enchiridion, 4 Instead, we want to remember that Every annoying person is a chance for Thanks to Ryan Holiday’s bookThe pain can be an opportunity to test and patience, kindness, and forgiveness. Obstacle is the Way, many aspiring improve our virtue. We can practice Every challenging situation is a chance Stoics are aware of Marcus’ famous patience and endurance– two noble for perseverance and hard work. line, strengths. Awareness of the present moment The impediment to action advances action. Marcus agrees, What stands in the way becomes the way. Who is there to prevent you from being good Finding opportunities to practice our , 5.20 and sincere? We have the inborn power to virtues requires a certain awareness in the present moment. When we’re We can turn seeming adversity into an choose our actions and craft our character. So display those virtues which are wholly in your unaware, we’re quick to judge a advantage by using it as practice. As seeming adversity as such and won’t warrior-philosophers, we use these own power – integrity, dignity, hard work, self-denial, contentment, frugality, kindness, be able to turn it around. Unless… we situations to practice being the best can find a mindful moment and we can be. independence, simplicity, discretion, magnanimity. – Meditations, 5.5 become able to step back from the While other people see adversity as judgment, test it, and respond as we bad, as something preventing them We can display so many great qualities wish to. With our chosen virtue. from achieving their goals, we without any excuse. The only thing that can hold us back is ourselves, Which situations often cause a recognize the opportunity for growth troubled mind in your own life? and flip it around– we see because our mind is always available. opportunity where they see evil. Making use of every obstacle Do you find a way to practice your Just like nature can take every obstacle virtues when you’re in a similar Disease is not an impediment and turn it to its purposes, says situation next time? to the will Marcus,so, too, a rational being can turn Jonas Salzgeber of [email protected] is “Disease is an impediment to the each setback into raw material and use it to the author ofThe Little Book of Stoicism. body, but not to the will, unless the achieve its goal. – Meditations, 8.5 will itself chooses,” explains We should start with small things, says

THE STOIC 5 MARCH 2021 other alternative options. A classic ex- “The Ancient Booboo Baba pression of the FofB is ‘If you aren’t with us, you’re against us’. Or, ‘There described the healing powers of are two types of people in this world: those who dream big and therefore celery and skunk dung poultices.” win versus those who think small and therefore live the small lives they de- serve’.

Concealed quantification fallacy One more: Concealed Quantification. CQ is found in statements made about a class that sometimes are about all of its members, but some- times about only some of them, and it’s not clear which is referred to. Ex- THE SKILL OF USING LOGIC ample: “Contractors don’t finish on time or on budget.” Fun with fallacies Age-related fallacies Finally, two common age-related falla- cies we run into all the time are the ar- gumentum ad novitam and the argu- mentum ad antiquitam. The first fos- ters the mistaken belief that the new- ness of something contributes to its Logic, Physics, and Ethics are Sto- demonstrated merit, or relevant expe- soundness or value. ‘Introducing the icism's main divisions. By studying rience has been muddled. Keeping our iPhone XYZ-154353 Ultra: the new- and practicing the teachings within thinking skills well honed is more im- est way to call, text, and take pictures’. these categories, we become better portant than ever. is how we (Please ignore your current phone ‘doctors of our own ’, thereby distinguish truth from falsehood, the which does those things fine.) moving us closer to well-lived lives. important from the trivial, the worthy The second equates oldness with from the unworthy. Though we are en- truth or value. ‘The Ancient sage Boo- Rational thinking dowed with reason, it must be trained, boo Baba described the healing pow- Modern Stoics often emphasize Sto- because we are equallyendowed with ers of celery and skunk dung poul- icism’s ethical dimension, but we also emotions that are easily swayed. tices for removing the body’s impuri- know Stoics put great stock in the ties’. Keeping thinking muscles toned power of reason and the importance Strengthen your reason and have of its continual development. Think- One of my favorite ways to keep some fun with fallacies! ing clearly improves the quality of our thinking muscles toned is by studying judgment, and it parts the fog when fallacies. Fallacies are tricks of logic or we scrutinize our , mo- language that help a claim be passed tives, and behaviour. off as something it isn’t. The motiva- Rational thinking is the bulwark tions of those who commit fallacies against the seductions of unexamined can be anywhere from innocent to popular beliefs fostered by propa- wickedly manipulative. Fallacious ganda or the fervor of the herd. thinking, speech, and argument pull Clear-thinking individuals provide in- our attention away from truth. So, the surance that groups of which they are ability to spot fallacies is as handy as it a part will not succumb to tyrants. is intellectually and morally essential.

Social media vs. Thinking skills The bifurcation fallacies Sharon Lebell is the author ofTheArtof Here are a few of my favorite falla- Living: The Classic Manual on Virtue, With the growing prevalence of social Happiness, and Effectiveness, the first mod- cies: The stunningly common Fallacy media, our traditional understanding ern interpretation of Epictetus’ teachings.She of Bifurcation. This fallacy sets up an of credibility and authority based on Tweets@SharonLebell. expertise, specialized knowledge, ‘either/or’ framework to distract from

THE STOIC 6 MARCH 2021 Or better Stoics, if you will. This process is daily, perennially unpaid, and never-ending work in which we are always on our own. Also, it needs to be mindful and purposeful. As Seneca puts it, money may come to us by an unexpected inheritance, while fame can be brought by a random twist of fortune (particularly true in the THE SKILL OF DOINGTHEWORK social media culture). Yet virtue never comes to us unless we earn it. And there is only one way to do so– by continuous work on self- The present work improvement. As long as you are alive there will always be Our work is never in vain time to have a shot at betterment. That The perk of it is that it is never in vain. In this trade we can never be time is right now. alienated from the outcome of our work. After all, Iwork on myself so who is there to strip me from what Only the present is tion of all coaches, self-development I have earned? Contrary to other under our control authors, and entrepreneurial writers walks of life, here I will never be separated from the gains I have My piece last month was focused on of every hue. Don’t get distracted. Avoid overt multitasking. Focus on gotten. Moreover, as long as I put a one of the key applications of the proper Stoic lens to it, I will always Dichotomy of Control. I the present work and onwhat you can get done at this verymoment . be able to make some actual demonstrated how the Dichotomy progress. Thekey is quite simple. I divides the axis of time into three This is the only way to get any results. Not through daydreaming needn’t aim at achieving some lofty parts which are separate and not level of moral perfection. Instead, I equal: the past, the present, the about the past, not through need to humbly focus on bettering future. They are not equal for all mooning over the future, but myself just a bit. This is fail-safe sorts of reasons, the most stoic of through the task at hand. since there is always room to try to which is that only the present is This approach is hardly surprising, become a little better. under our control. From this follows of course. It is still important the Stoic advice to immerse ourselves though and the Stoic perspective Now is the time in the present moment fully and with provides it with meaningful backing. no mental reservations. It’s not just a random piece of And when is the time for it? There This reasoning applies to all our wisdom. Instead, it follows directly will be no surprises here. The time is activities, mundane and metaphysical, from the Dichotomy of Control always available. Regardless of the but perhaps most importantly it which in turn rests on the deep circumstances, no matter what one’s refers to work. There are many types metaphysical assumptions about condition, as long as you are alive of work in human life, including human condition and agency. there will always be time to have a work we must do, the work we shot at betterment. That time is pretend to be doing and which we ‘Work’ is not just your job right now. intend to do, and finally the work we In Stoicism the concept of work is are actually doing. Whatever the not limited to a job which pays, i.e., particulars are, all our work has one to what we do to earn a living. It is in thing common. It all happens in certainly relevant here (stoic the same moment in time. It only applications have been proven to happens now, in this present boost productivity indeed) but more moment. importantly it refers to the more Piotr Stankiewicz, Ph.D., has authored Don’t get distracted subtle and intimate of the Manual of Reformed Stoicismand term ‘work’. It refers to what we do other books. He can be reached at This is the common recommenda- to turn ourselves into better persons. [email protected]

THE STOIC 7 MARCH 2021 All this is especially tough if you have children who are not attending in- person school or childcare due to the pandemic: You have a built-in, Do with potentially overwhelming distraction in your home. The younger the kids, “genuine the more this is true. In my case, my seriousness, children are a high schooler and middle schooler now, and pretty tenderly, independent. But even they need help, encouragement, and human willingly” interaction as we approach the one- year anniversary of remote-only school. After my formal workday on my laptop is done, I’m homework helper THE SKILL OF CONCENTRATION and cheerleader. I’ve learned more about medieval Persian decorative arts than I ever thought possible Concentration in a World of (surprisingly, it’s covered in our public middle school curriculum!). At-Home Distraction Though this is diverting me from my other informal work demands, I want to be supportive of kids suffering from a lack of social interaction… Every minute of every day Even though we have little enticement kids who are trying to concentrate to go out to activities outside our Concentrate every minute... on doing what’s long enough to learn what their homes, and we’re saving time by not in front of you with precise and genuine teachers require from them in remote commuting or driving around our seriousness, tenderly, willingly, with justice. school, and to get an education in kids, my friends and I often talk about And on freeing yourself from all other challenging times. how hard it is to get things done these distractions. Yes, you can—if you do days– especially things that require everything as if it were the last thing you Doingthingsasifthey mental effort. were doing in your life, and stop being were our last aimless, stop letting your emotions override Separating your non-work Marcus’ warning to do things as if what your mind tells you, stop being from work life they were our last would be too hypocritical, self-centered, irritable. – daunting for children. But it certainly , Meditations 2.5 (lightly In general, people working from puts things in perspective for us as paraphrased.) home have a difficult time separating adults. And for me, it helps me define What is the meaning of “concentra- their work life from their non-work the things I can tune out– the ting every minute on doing what’s in life. Everything is ‘in front of’ us, distractions I decide not to pursue– front of you” in a time when literally. At any hour of the day, we and separate out the competing jobs/ everything we’re doing– our work, could be working. Or eating. Or responsibilities in my life. This helps school, meals, sleep, and leisure– is all watching the news, or streaming narrow down my focus to those taking place inside our homes? binge-worthy content. Or taking a things I can do with “genuine nap. Everything is co-mingling, and seriousness, tenderly, willingly”. The impact of COVID-19 it’s taking extra self-control to keep things apart, organized, and on track. Here in California, the COVID-19 lockdown continues as the pandemic This matters, because one of the key has reached new heights in the winter causes of job burnout is the lack of months. A few restrictions have separation between work and non- loosened recently, but in general, work, according to productivity many, many of the activities of daily experts. They recommend covering life are still limited to the home. your workstation after a certain hour to avoid the temptation to work more. Meredith A. Kunz is aSilicon valley-based The situation is making it harder to Separating roles into different times writer. You can follow her on her website stay focused and tune out distractions, of day is critical to avoid overwhelm. www.thestoicmom.com or@Thestoicwoman especially as it drags on long-term. onTwitter

THE STOIC 8 MARCH 2021 Avoiding cruelty Given that oikeiosis is a process we share with other animals, any action It is not as that cruelly prevents a calf from developing their own understanding Tje of what it means to be a cow (or bull) simple as and part of their own herd cannot be anything short of vicious (especially stating that as it is so unnecessary). In this respect, there is considerable eating meat is weight to an argument in favour of removing meat from our diet, unless ‘bad’ or ‘good’ we can be certain (based on the facts) that the animals that provided us with meat or milk were cared for and treated appropriately as living beings, THE SKILL OF EATING RIGHT as opposed to mere commodities. Not a simple decision That said, it is not as simple as stating that eating meat is ‘bad’ or ‘good’. Instead, we must ask a deeper Veganuary (2) question: Is this animal being raised in a way that I would consider to be appropriate or reasonable? No diet is virtuous or vicious short, there is no perfectly virtuous Stoic diet for everyone everywhere. If the answer is ‘no’, then I would In Part 1, I introduced the idea that However, diet is not just about what argue that while a particularly meaty one could use Stoic principles to we choose to eat (and how much) but dish might nourish your body, it decide whether a plant-based diet, or also how we choose to produce it, as cannot possibly be nourishing your at least a less meat-heavy diet, was an Musonius Rufus makes clear: . And, in which case, our choice appropriate action. My main point to eat (or abstain from) meat does was that there is no vicious or The earth repays most beautifully and justly make the moral difference. Because virtuous particular diet per se. those who care for her, giving back many while we may not be raising animals times what she receives… Only someone ourselves, we are indirectly It is anti-Stoic to rank diets decadent or soft would say that agricultural responsible for the way they are tasks are shameful or unsuitable for a good In Part 2, I want to highlight that it treated. After all, we do (for the most man… To me, this is the main benefit of all would be anti-Stoic to rigidly rank part) have control over whether we agricultural tasks: they provide abundant diets from great to terrible. choose to spend our money on meat leisure for the soul to do some deep thinking that is produced by the kind of After all, and within reason, what and to reflect on the nature of education – farmer that Musonius Rufus would would be ‘great’ for someone would Musonius Rufus,Discourses Lecture11, praise, or in their absence choose to be ‘terrible’ for others. For example, 1-3 (as translated by King, 2010) . forgo meat and milk altogether. while nuts are largely seen as healthy Musonius obviously believes that fibrous sources of nutrition, people farming in a careful, considerate, and with nut allergies would die from conscientious way is beneficial to the eating them! soul. It is thus difficult to reconcile In the same way, and if we consider aggressive farming practices, which the Stoic virtue of self-control, we involve the mass slaughter of know that eating excessively (greedily) uncared-for animals with the “deep Kai Whiting is the author ofBeing is a vicious action. However, it is not thinking” and the nourishing of the Better: Stoicism for a World Worth Stoic to decide that everyone should soul that Rufus promotes. Living In. He a researcher and lecturer in eat no more than 2,500 kcals per day. Furthermore, the common practice sustainability and Stoicism based at Some people are less active and need of tearing away a calf from its mother UCLouvain, Belgium. He Tweets less food while others partake in is contrary to ‘oikeiosis’, the process @kaiwhiting and blogs over extreme sports or undertake heavy of extending moral consideration to atStoicKai.com labouring jobs and need more. In others beyond ourselves.

THE STOIC 9 MARCH 2021 greed. He moved about as a great example to those who wished to copy him because he walked a free man among thirty masters. Yet this was the Be man Athens itself put to death in prison. Freedom could not tolerate the freedom of the one who had Alive mocked an entire group of tyrants. Beingdeprivedoffreedom by the free From this, you may learn that a wise person can make his mark even when until oppressed. And that, even in a The worst of all is prosperous and flourishing city, willful imprudence, jealousy, and a thousand other cowardly vices reign. We must, to leave the ranks therefore, expand or contract our you efforts depending on how the state of the living accommodates us or circumstances dictate. But, in any case, we should continue to move and not become before dying frozen by fear. No, the best person is die one who, though danger threatens on every side and weapons and chains rattle the path, will not damage or conceal their virtue. To keep oneself safe does not mean to bury oneself. THE SKILL OF BEINGALIVE UNTILWE DIE Leaving the rank of living before dying Key ideas where there was a Senate, and a I think that Curius Dentatus [a popular assembly like the Senate, there Roman general around the third 1. Sometimes circumstances can place us in met daily a miserable crew of century BCE] said it right when he miserable conditions. butchers. The unhappy Senate House said that he would rather be dead than was full of tyrants. Could that city, in to live like a dead person. The worst 2. We can be free even in an oppressive society of all is to leave the ranks of the and be oppressed in a free society. which there were as many tyrants as there were onlookers, reach a state of living before dying. Yet it is your duty, 3. The most important thing is not to leave peace? People could not even be if you happen to live at a time when it the rank of the living before dying. However, offered any hope of regaining their is not easy to serve the state, to devote more time to leisure and we must adjust what we do based on liberty. They could see no room for a literature. It is like making a circumstances. remedy in such a mass of evil. Where was this unhappy city to look for dangerous voyage: you may, from time to time, make for harbour and set Living in miserable times enough people like Harmodius [one of the three men who plotted to kill yourself free from public affairs Could you find any place more the tyrant Hippias] it would need to without waiting for it to do so. miserable than Athens when it was slay so many tyrants? being torn to pieces by the thirty Think about this tyrants? [Thirty tyrants were oligarchs Being free among cruel masters who ruled Athens during the The worst of all is to leave the ranks of the Peloponnesian war around 404 BCE.] Yet Socrates was in their midst, living before dying. They killed thirteen hundred citizens, offering comfort to the city fathers in all the best men. They did not leave their grief and encouraging those who after this. Their cruelty was sustained despaired of the ; he This is an excerpt from Stoic Tranquility by its own momentum. admonished the rich, who were now (https://amzn.to/3doERNk)which is a afraid that their wealth would be their plain English version of Seneca’sOn In the city that had the most revered ruin, showing late repentance of their Tranquility. court, the Court of the Areopagus,

THE STOIC 10 MARCH 2021 housekeeping

Disclosure THE STOIC digital magazine is entirely funded by The Stoic Gym and is distributed to subscribers free of cost. The Stoic Gym underwrites all expenses associated with the production and distribution. The Stoic Gym neither solicits nor accepts donations. Affiliate links Amazon links in this magazine are affiliate links. If you purchase anything from Amazon using these links, you will not pay anymore, but The Stoic Gym will Thestoicgym receive a small commission, contributing to the cost of producing THE STOIC. Copyright Visitournewwebsite Feel free to use and disseminate any idea expressed in THE STOIC. However, you https://thestoicgym.com/ may not reproduce any article (or a substantial part thereof) without prior permission from THE STOIC. All For everything Stoic ancient Stoic writings. materials are copyrighted and are subject Over the past several months, we have Read our blog to copyright laws. been redesigning our website in an Our blogs are mostly about how to use Views of columnists effort to make it the single most useful the Stoic principles to lead the good THE STOIC is a curated publication. website for Stoic practitioners. While life. Most of our blogs are not about This means we do take care that what the website does offer articles that esoteric Stoic theories. They are about goes into the magazine meets our quality relate to Stoic theory, our main how you can use the Stoic principles standards. However, within reason, emphasis is on practice:What can I do right away to lead a better a life. columnists are free to express their now to lead a better life? opinions. So any opinion expressed in the Read book reviews magazine should be treated as that of the The basic website is complete now. In columnist and not of THE STOIC. the coming weeks and months we will From time to time we review new Back issues be adding more features to the site. books on Stoicism. They’re here. We do not carry back issues of THE Read any article ever published Get free books STOIC. However, they may be obtained All the articles ever published in the You can get free books such asThe fromMagzter .Your comments and THE STOIC magazine are on the site. Good Life Handbook(Epictetus suggestions are most welcome. Please You can read them in pdf or text form. Enchiridion) andA Fortunate Storm feel free to comment on the magazine, its You can print any article that you want (history of ancient Stoicism). contents, quality, etc. We may publish to save. your comments from time to time. Please Find a Stoic group address all your comments to Search any article by author or topic [email protected]. If you want to find a Stoic group that Writing for THE STOIC All articles are in a searchable database. may be around where you live, you will You can search the articles either by find it on our website. THE STOIC is a carefully curated topic or by author. Save or bookmark publication. If you would like to anything that interests you for future Find Stoic exercises contribute an article to THE STOIC, please keep the following in mind. The reference. Many Stoics use mental exercises to articles should be applied in nature, Read ancient texts in modern English practice Stoicism. We have many such should not be longer than 550 words, and exercises for you here. must be written in plain English. All Stoic You can find here the entireDiscourses quotes should be fully sourced (e.g., Not by Epictetus rendered into plain Please visit https://thestoicgym.com/ “Marcus Aurelius,Meditations ,” but English. You can also find other and let us know what you think. “Marcus Aurelius,Meditations 7.11)

THE STOIC 11 MARCH 2021 STOIC EVERY DAY STOICTHOUGHTSFOR EVERYDAYOFTHEMONTH

1 10 Whenever you receive any disturbing news, keep this thought What does someone’s evil have to do with you?[Epictetus ready at hand:The news cannot affect anything that is of your D3.18] choice. [Epictetus D3.18] 11 2 If the crew belittle the captain or patients their doctor,then You don’t have to have an opinion about anything. Nothing whose authority would they accept? [Marcus Aurelius 6.55] needs to upset you. [Marcus Aurelius, M6.52] 12 3 Let your encourage reason to look for the truth and Respect only yourself, feel confident in your spirit, and order draw its first principles from it.[Seneca, H8] your life as to be ready for good or bad luck.[Seneca, H8] 13 4 But whether you are condemned or acquitted is someone else’s It is never the case that one person does something wrong and business. It is also that person’s evil.[Epictetus D3.18] someone else suffers harm. [Epictetus D3.18] 14 5 Things have no power to force you to have an opinion about Pay careful attention to what people say. Try your best to them. [Marcus Aurelius, M6.52] understand where they are coming from.[Marcus Aurelius, 15 M6.53] Where agreement and unity are,there must the virtues be.It is 6 the vices that are at war with one another.[Seneca, H8] Let not your confidence be without knowledge and your 16 knowledge without commitment. [Seneca, H8] Whenever you go astray, if you are so inclined, blame yourself 7 for it. [Epictetus D3.19] Your job is to defend yourself strongly, respectfully, and without 17 anger.[Epictetus D3.18] How many came into this world with me! How many of them 8 have already left![Marcus Aurelius, M6.56] What is not good for the beehive is not good for the bee. 18 [Marcus Aurelius, M6.54] Even though virtue may give us pleasure, we don’t practice 9 virtue for that reason.Virtue does not give usthis but gives us thisin addition. [Seneca, H9] Once you have decided, stand by it and do not erase your principles.[Seneca, H8]

THE STOIC 12 MARCH 2021 STOIC EVERY DAY STOICTHOUGHTSFOREVERYDAYOFTHEMONTHSTOICTHOUGHTSFOR EVERYDAYOFTHEMONTH

19

If you remember that nothing except your own judgment can 27 cause you to become disturbed or confused, then I swear to you by all the that we’ve made progress. [Epictetus D3.19] You devote yourself to pleasures, I check them.You indulge in 20 pleasure.I use it.You think it is the highest good.I don’t even think To a person with jaundice,honey tastes bitter.To a person bitten it’s good.You do everything for the sake of pleasure. I do nothing by a mad dog, water looks terrifying.To a child, a ball is a great for its sake [Seneca, H10] treasure. Why should I be angry with anyone, then?[Marcus 28 Aurelius, M6.57] If I form the right idea about poverty, or disease, or not holding 21 office,isn’t that enough for me?Will it not help me? How then do Pleasure is neither the reward for nor the cause of virtue,but it you expect me to seek for good any longer in external things?” comes with it.We don’t choose virtue for pleasure, but virtue [Epictetus D3.20] gives pleasure when we choose it. [Seneca, H9] 29 22 What is evil? The same thing you have seen before. Remind Even when we are all grown up, we resemble children.After all, it yourself that you have seen this many times, like you have seen is being a child to be uncultivated in matters of culture, many other things. [Marcus Aurelius, 7.1] unschooled in matters of literature, and uneducated in matters 30 relating to the art of living.[Epictetus D3.19] I do not call a person wise who is overcome by anything, let 23 alone pleasure. How can those who are immersed in pleasure No one can stop you from living according to the laws of your guard themselves against toil, danger, want and all the problems personal nature. Nothing can happen to you against the laws of that surround and threaten their lives? How will they bear the universal nature.[Marcus Aurelius, M6.58] sight of death or of pain?[Seneca, H11] 24 31 But what is the reality?You accept these ideas as far as the door Would you like to know what I seek from virtue?Virtue itself. but no one takes them home with them.All at once you are at Nothing is better. Virtue is its own reward.[Seneca, H9] war with your servants, your neighbours, and those who laugh 25 at you.[Epictetus D3.20] The good and the bad come from ourselves, not from things external to us.[Epictetus D3.20] Notes 26 D=Discourses People try to please miserable folks.They pursue miserable ends M=Meditations in miserable ways. How quickly time covers everything! How many has it covered already! [Marcus Aurelius, 6.59] H=On Happiness

THE STOIC 13 MARCH 2021 STOICFELLOWSHIPS AROUNDTHEWORLD

AUSTRALIA Austraila/NZ StoaAntipodeahttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1278346425530552 Brisbane BrisbaneStoicshttps://www.meetup.com/en-AU/Brisbane-Stoics Darwin Darwin Stoicshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/275041669844912/?ref=share Perth Perth Practicing Stoics https://www.facebook.com/groups/PerthPracticingStoics/ Queensland Stoicism Sunshine Coasthttps://www.meetup.com/en-AU/Stoicism-Sunshine-Coast/ Victoria MelbourneCityStoicshttps://www.meetup.com/Melbourne-City-Stoics/

AUSTRIA Linz Stoa-Linz/Austriaphilopraxis-holzinger.com BRAZIL Arcaju Estoicismo Artesanalaldodinucci.blogspot.com Brasilia StoaBrasil(Online)https://bit.ly/stoabrasil CANADA Edmonton AlbertaStoahttps://www.meetup.com/Edmonton-Stoic-Philosophy-Meetup/ Vernon OkanaganStoicshttps://meetu.ps/c/40LR2/FRpdl/d Winnipeg StoicismWinnipegwww.stoicismwinnipeg.com CHILE Sanitago Via Estoica @viaestoica (Instagram) DENMARK Copenhagen CopenhagenStoahttps://www.facebook.com/groups/CopenhagenStoa FINLAND Helsinki StoaFinlandiahttps://www.facebook.com/groups/432794020635132 FRANCE Sélestat Stoa Gallicastoagallica.fr/ GERMANY Aschen Aachen Stoicshttps://www.meetup.com/Aachen-Stoics-Group/ Berlin Berlin Stoicshttps://www.meetup.com/Berlin-Stoics/ Bonn RheinlandStoikerhttp://www.stoiker.net/rheinland-stoiker/ Frankfurt Frankfurt Stoicshttps://www.meetup.com/de-DE/Frankfurt-Stoics/ HannovarLive! - Stoics´ Hangout Hannoverhttps://www.meetup.com/de-DE/hannover-stoics/ INDIA Delhi Delhi Stoicshttps://www.meetup.com/DelhiStoics/ IRELAND Ireland StoicsofIrelandhttps://www.instagram.com/theirishstoic/ ISRAEL Tel Aviv-Yalo Stoa Tel Aviv-Yalohttps://www.facebook.com/groups/stoatelaviv JAPAN Japan TokyoStoicsmeetup.com/Tokyo-Stoicism-Meetup-Group/

MEXICO Mexico City Estoicismo Practicohttps://www.facebook.com/groups/478740189519819/?ref=share Mexico City Estoicismo Mxhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/353876228954911 NETHERLANDS Utrecht Stoics the Netherlandshttps://mailchi.mp/395a8fa8a177/stoics-the-netherlands

THE STOIC 14 MARCH 2021 NORWAY Online NorwayStoicshttps://norwaystoics.com/norway-stoics/ Oslo OsloStoicshttps://norwaystoics.com/oslo-stoics/ Stavanger Stavanger Stoicshttps://norwaystoics.com/stavanger-stoics/ Trondheim TrondheimStoicshttps://norwaystoics.com/trondheim-stoics/ RUSSIA Moscow Moscow Stoahttps://www.facebook.com/groups/russianstoa Moscow Stoicism21https://vk.com/stoicism21 SOUTH AFRICA Pretoria Pretoria Stoicsfacebook.com/PretoriaStoics SPAIN Barcelona StoaBarcelonahttps://gettogether.community/stoa-barcelona-escuela-de-filosof%C3%ADa-estoica-en-espa%C3%B1a/ Madrid HabitumVitaehttps://habitumvitae.wordpress.com/ Madrid StoaMadridhttps://stoamadrid.home.blog/ UAE Dubai Dubai Stoicshttps://www.meetup.com/Dubai-Stoic-Meetups/ UK Cambridge CambridgeStoicshttps://www.meetup.com/Cambridge-Stoics/ Cardiff Welsh Stoicshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1038557303271294 Edinburgh TheScotlandStoicshttps://sites.google.com/view/the-scotland-stoics/home London LondonStoicshttps://www.meetup.com/London-Stoic/ Manchester Manchester Stoicshttps://m.facebook.com/groups/398232340356000/?ref=bookmarks Saltash Saltash Stoic Fellowshiphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/saltashstoicfellowship St.AlbansStAlbansStoicPhilosophyGrouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/StAlbansStoics USA Arizona Tucson Tucson stoa Contact Vanida Revell: [email protected] Arkansas FayettevilleFayetteville Stoicism Meetuphttps://www.meetup.com/Fayetteville-Stoicism-Meetup-Group/ California East Bay Redwood Stoahttps://redwoodstoa.wordpress.com Fremont remont Stoahttps://www.meetup.com/Fremont-Stoics/ LosAngeles LosAngelesStoicswww.losangelesstoics.com Monterey Monterey Stoicshttps://www.meetup.com/Monterey-Stoicism-Meetup-Group/ Coloroda Denver Denver Stoicshttps://www.meetup.com/Denver-Stoics/ Florida Daytona Beach Stoics of Daytona BeachMeetup.com/stoics Orlando OrlandoStoicshttps://www.meetup.com/Orlando-Stoics Tampa Tampa StoicsMeetup.com/tampa-stoics Illinois Chicago SecondCityStoicshttps://meetu.ps/c/4xNnn/sq9y/a Iowa Des Moines Des Moines Stoicshttps://www.meetup.com/Des-Moines-Stoics/ Massachusetts Boston New England Stoicswww.Nestoics.org Michigan PleasantRidge M1Stoahttps://stoa-woodward-corridor.mailchimpsites.com/ Minnesota Minneapolis MinnesotaStoicshttps://www.meetup.com/Minnesota-Stoics/ New York New York City New York City Stoicshttps://www.meetup.com/New-York-City-Stoics/ New York City Stoa Nova NYChttps://www.meetup.com/Stoa-Nova/ Ohio Delaware The Midwest Virtual Stoahttps://www.meetup.com/The-Midwest-Virtual-Stoa/ Oregon Portland PDXVirtualStoahttps://www.pdxstoa.club/signup Pennsylvania Philadephia PhiladelphiaStoicshttps://www.meetup.com/Philadelphia-Stoics/ Texas Houston The Houston Stoicshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/222407908310848 Utah Orem Wasatch Stoicshttps://www.facebook.com/groups/wasatchstoics Vermont Burlington Vermont Stoicshttps://www.meetup.com/Burlington-Stoicism-Group/ Washington Bellingham BellinghamStoicshttps://www.meetup.com/Bellingham-Stoicism-Meetup/ Washington, DC Washington, DC Stoics of Washington, D.C.https://www.facebook.com/groups/1317763334903291 Wisconsin Milwaukee Milwaukee Stoic Fellowshiphttps://www.meetup.com/MKE-Stoic-Fellowship/

THE STOIC 15 MARCH 2021 Unshakable freedom How to free not matter what

Achieving unshakable freedom 12. Freedom and physical fitness How can we achieve total personal freedom when we have 13. Freedom and mental fitness so many obligations and so many demands on our time? Is Each main chapter of this book concludes with an exercise personal freedom even possible? Yes, it is possible, said the aimed to reinforce what you have learned that you can Stoics and gave us a blueprint for freedom. The teachings practice in your daily life. were lost but have been rediscovered in recent times and form the basis of modern cognitive therapy. Whatothers aresaying aboutthisbook In his book,Unshakable Freedom, Dr. Chuck Chakrapani One of the best books on Stoicism outlines the Stoic secrets for achieving total freedom, no “This book is probably one of the best introductions to matter who you are and what obstacles you face in life. Using Stoicism that I’ve read. I think it’s very well-written. The modern examples, Chuck explores how anyone can achieve philosophy seems crystal clear and the use of examples from personal freedom by practicing a few mind-training various famous philosophers and modern role models makes techniques. it engaging and easy to read. I really think Chuck has a way of The book is built around six big ideas: expressing Stoic ideas that’s very clear and concise. I would definitely recommend that people who are new to the subject Problems are only problems if you believe they are. start with a book like this...I’m not sure how he managed to Leave your past behind. cover so much ground so well in so few pages but he did, and I find that very impressive...Chuck’s book is a page-turner that Don’t let the indifferents rob your freedom. gives you more bang for your buck. Sorry to have wasted your Where there is fear, freedom is not. time but it’s probably easier to read than my review to be You can never lose anything because you don’t own anything. honest! I know that if I can persuade someone to read this – and they should – then they’ll probably get through it in a few Life is a festival. Enjoy it now. hours, enjoy the whole thing, and come away with an accurate Contentsofthisbook and workable idea of Stoic philosophy. So please do just go and read it.” 1. Freedom is a choice Donald Robertson, AuthorHow to Think Like a Roman Emperor 2. What the Stoics knew that we don’t A wonderful book 3. Be free to enjoy every sandwich “If you want to apply [the Stoic principles] right away, it is a 4. Be free of the past wonderful book for that. This will help a lot of people. This is 5. Be free of the emotional roller coaster a gateway book.” 6. Be free of fear Dr. Gregory Sadler, Sadler’s Honest Book Reviews 7. Be free of future anxieties Choose this book 8. Be free to enjoy the festival of life “Chuck Chakrapani reveals for modern eyes what the ancient Stoics knew: True freedom comes from choosing wisely. 9. The Stoic model of freedom Here’s an aligned piece of advice – choose this book.” 10. Where did Stoicism come from? Robert Cialdini PhD, AuthorInfluenc e 11. Unshakable freedom: Reality or fantasy? Get your copy here!

THE STOIC 16 MARCH 2021 HOWTOBEASTOIC WHENYOUDON’TKNOWHOW Learn the fundamentals of Stoicism in ten short weeks

AUNIQUE10-WEEKCOURSEhelp those ould l � In the third section of each lesson, you are given a Whether you are new to Stoicism or have been carefully created exercise for the week so you can practicing Stoicism for a while, this course is for you. apply your understanding to your daily life. We believe that, to be a Stoic, first you need to have a � You are given a quote to repeat throughout the day systematic understanding of Stoicism. Second, even for each day of the week. more important, you have to practice it systematically. This course aims to (1) teach the basic principles of WHATWILLYOULEARN? Stoicism in simple English with modern examples; and Here is what you will learn in ten weeks: (2) provide systematic exercises so you can practice � The foundational principles of Stoicism what you have learned. This course strips Stoicism of its � Four special skills we need to practice Stoicism nonessential components and concentrates only on the � Three disciplines we need to develop most important principles that are relevant to our � How to live a Stoic life everyday life. � How to enjoy the festival of life

CAREFULLY DESIGNED By the time you finish the course, you should have a The course is designed to help those who would like to solid understanding of the foundations of Stoicism. You understand and practice the fundamentals of Stoicism, will know how your judgments create all your problems, but are hard pressed for time. This unique course put how to avoid them by living in accordance with nature, together by The Stoic Gym ia a special 10-week self- how to use the principle of dichotomy to live effectively, study training course, carefully designed to teach the why you need to practice the four virtues—wisdom, essence of Stoicism. justice, moderation, and courage—and how to practice Each week’s lesson starts with a big idea, followed by a the three disciplines: assent, desire, and action. discussion of how it works in practice, supported by a You will know how to apply what you have learned to Stoic exercise to reinforce it, and a Stoic quote. your daily life. And, most importantly, you will learn how to enjoy the festival of life! Because this is a self-study HOWDOESTHECOURSEWORK? course, you can learn at your own pace. This course was The course has ten lessons, one for each week. very carefully designed by The Stoic Gym to enable you � Each lesson starts with an explanation of a critical to learn all the fundamentals quickly and easily. Stoic concept and how it applies to your daily life. Get your copy of the course today!https://amzn.to/2PioGFc � Three specially selected readings from modern and ndamentals of Stoicism, The Stoic Gym has put ancient Stoics follow this. together a unique 10-week self-study training course carefully designed to teach the essence of THE STOIC 17Stoicism. MARCH 2021 Each week’s lesson starts with a big idea, followed by a discussion of how it works in practice, RECENT releases BEFOREVER ANGERFREE! STOICBOOKOF ANGER (SENCA’SON ANGER IN PLAIN ENGLISH)

Stoic Book of Anger is the plain English version of Seneca’s classic trilogy,On Anger. Seneca’sOn Anger is probably one of the best books ever written on the subject. It is a detailed analysis of anger: what causes it, what price we pay for it, and how we can be totally free from it. Seneca warns us that “NO PLAGUE HAS DONE GREATER HARM TO HUMANKIND.” He had firsthand experience with anger, having faced the wrath of three Roman Emperors: Caligula, Claudius, and Nero. STOICBOOKOF ANGER 1. ANGER: CAUSES & CONSEQUENCES

Volume 1 ofStoic Book of Anger, encompassing the first two books of On Anger, explores the causes and consequences of anger. • What causes anger? • Why is anger destructive? • Does anger serve any useful purpose? • Can we completely get rid of anger? • How can we manage anger?

In the second companion volume, Seneca provides specific strategies to control and eliminate anger from our lives. If you are ever bothered by your anger (or the anger of others) you cannot afford not to read this Stoic classic.Get your copy now! . STOICBOOKOF ANGER 2. HOW TO BE ANGER-FREE

In Volume 2, which covers the third book ofOn Anger, Seneca answers questions like: • Why we should avoid anger • How to stop anger arising • Historical examples we should avoid • Historical examples we should follow • What strategies you should adopt to be completely anger-free

If you are ever bothered by anger — either yours or others’ — you cannot afford not to read this Stoic classic. Get your copy now!

THE STOIC 18 MARCH 2021 Stoicisminplainenglish Ancient Stoic texts in modern English

Thecompleteworksofepictetus(5volumes) and action? • Your goal is happiness and good StoicFoundations • Is there a choice between knowledge fortune. (DiscoursesBook1) and anxiety? Stoic Foundations revolves around 10 themes • Should you study logic? Why? which are also repeated in other places • Choose to be faithful. StoicFreedom throughoutDiscourses . These are: • Choose habits that fight impressions. • Concern yourself with only what is in • Show yourself to be worthy. (DiscoursesBook4) • Choose to be skillful. In Stoic Freedom, Epictetus shows us how to your power achieve freedom– how to be free • Be content to let things happen as they StoicTraining irrespective of what happens to us. In these do brilliant discourses, Epictetus shows us how • Your thinking, not the externals, drives (DiscoursesBook 3) to be free and what a free person looks like. your behaviour Stoic Training shows how to train ourselves • A free person is not in conflict with • Do not place value on external things in Stoic philosophy. anyone. • Don't give in to your anger or animal • Stoic training aims to make you • A free person is patient. instincts excellent as a human being. • A free person is not envious. • You can handle anything; always act • Stoic training consists of three • A free person is not anxious. your best disciplines: desire, action, and assent. • A free person is pure. • Learn to think properly and logically • Stoic training consists only of dealing • A free person is steadfast. • Practice, not knowledge, results in with one’s choices. • A free person chooses what to reveal progress • Train your mind to want whatever about themselves and when. • Only you can make you happy actually happens. • Stoic training means to prepare StoicChoices ourselves for the challenges to come. (DiscoursesBook2) • Ascetic training is unnecessary unless it StoicInspirations Stoic Choices discusses some of the choices serves some purpose. Stoic Inspirations is the fifth book in the open to us: • Train to see things as they are without Stoicism in Plain English series and • What should you act upon: External adding your judgments to them. completes the works of Epictetus. It things or internal things? • Your judgments are the sole cause of contains Epictetus’ sayings (Fragments) some • When should you choose to be your distress, because nothing outside of which are not found inDiscourses ,a confident and when to be cautious in of you can harm you. concise summary of Epictetus' teachings making decisions? • Don’t imitate others without (Enchiridion) by Flavius Arrian, inspirational • What should you protect: Your understanding the basis of their extracts (Golden Sayings) from Epictetus’ inherent qualities or qualities that are actions. works by Hastings Crossley, and a not inherent to you? • Train to be at home wherever you are. biography of Epictetus. • Is there a choice between knowledge • Things are impermanent.

THE STOIC 19 MARCH 2021 Stoicisminplainenglish Ancient Stoic texts in modern English

Thecompleteworksofmarcus aurelius(2volumes) Stoic meditations Stoic Meditations is the personal journal kept by the beloved Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. It was never meant for publication and yet, after his death, it has become probably the most widely read book on Stoic philosophy.Meditations is a deeply moving personal journal which is uplifting and invigorating.

Aurelius the Unknown WhileMeditations is one of the best-read Stoic books, not many of us know about Marcus’ other writings: his personal letters and speeches. For the first time everAurelius, the Unknown presents all his letters and speeches in a single volume. This volume also includes a biographic sketch and several anecdotes from his life. A must-read for all fans of Marcus Aurelius.

ThecompleteworksofMUSONIUSRUFUS(SINGLEVOLUME) Stoic lessons This is the complete works of Musonius Rufus (25-95CE), the man who taught Epictetus. While he was very well-known and respected during his time, he is less widely known now. He was a social activist, a proto-feminist, a vegetarian, and a minimalist. No topic is too small or too big for him. Here are some of the topics covered in this book: • Women and men are equal. • Why hardships are of little importance. • Why everyone should study philosophy. • Where you live or are forced to live is of no importance. • Don’t take things personally and be personally insulted. • Live "according to nature”. • Live a virtuous family life. • Live a simple life. • Children should obey their parents, but not indiscriminately. • If you keep practicing virtue, you don’t need anything special in your old age. Get your copy here! THE STOIC 20 MARCH 2021 Stoicisminplainenglish Ancient Stoic texts in modern English

Thecompleteworksofseneca (Inprogress)

Stoic happiness “If you want to be happy, don't follow the crowd”, warns Seneca, one of the best exponents of Stoicism.

Seneca was concerned about applying Stoicism to everyday life. How can we make Stoicism work for us, so we can live happily, fearlessly, and peacefully? In this short book addressed to his brother, Seneca addresses the problem of happiness. • What are the basics of happiness? • What is the path to happiness? • How to use pleasure and not be used by it. • Why should we ignore criticism and pursue virtue? • How to enjoy wealth that comes our way and not be a slave to it. https://amzn.to/36ralwL Stoic tranquility In this gentle book, Seneca explains how to achieve a tranquil life, and advises on how to be peaceful, no matter what happens in life. Contents. • Why We Are Restless. • BeAliveUntilYouDie. • Match Your Tasks With Your Ability. • Be Careful in Choosing a Friend. • Don’t go After Possessions. • Avoid Excess. • HandleLifeWithSkill. • Foresee Adversity. • Avoid Useless Activity. • Be Prepared for Disappointments. • Avoid Stubbornness and Indecision. • Take a Lighter View of Things. • When Bad Things Happen to Good People. • Relax, Practice Moderation, and Be Vigilant. https://amzn.to/3o95QOx Stoic atlas This short volume is an indispensable reference for modern Stoics. It covers the following topics: • The Geography of Ancient Stoicism * The Geography of Modern Stoicism • The Timeline of Ancient Stoicism * The Timeline of Modern Stoicism • Stoicism in Words, Pictures, and Numbers • The History of Ancient Stoicism * The History of Modern Stoicism • An Outline of Ancient Stoicism * An Outline of Modern Stoicism with pictures of Stoic sites (both ancient and modern) and photographs of the Modern Stoic movement. Both the online and the print editions are in full colour, beautifully produced. Get your copy now!https://amzn.to/2Wd8s1O

THE STOIC 21 MARCH 2021 Alkistis Agio, Greece Elizabeth Azide, USA Flora Bernard, France Elen Buzare, France

Chris Gill, UK Liz Gloyn, UK Meredith Kunz, USA Sharon Lebell, USA

Tim LeBon, UK Anthony Long, USA Gregory Lopez, USA Antonia Macaro, UK

Ron Pies, USA Massimo Pigliucci, USA Donald Robertson, Canada Greg Sadler, USA

THE STOIC ADVISORY BOARD

Andi Sciacca, USA John Sellars, UK Editor-in-Chief Chuck Chakrapani

THE STOIC 22 MARCH 2021