The Little Book of Stoicism

Contents

Introduction

Part 1 What is Stoicism?

Chapter 1 The Promise of Stoic Philosophy

Practice the Art of Living: Become a Warrior-Philosopher

Promise #1: Eudaimonia

Promise #2: Emotional Resilience

Tame Restricting Emotions (≠ Unemotional)

Practice Stoicism and Become more Tranquil as a By-Product

Chapter 2 A Quick History Lesson

The Most Important Stoic Philosophers

Seneca the Younger (c. 4 BCE – 65 CE)

Musonius Rufus (c. 30 CE – c. 100 CE)

Epictetus (c. 55 CE – c. 135 CE)

Marcus Aurelius (121 CE – 180 CE)

Chapter 3 The Stoic Happiness Triangle

The Stoic Happiness Triangle in a Nutshell

1. Live with Areté: Express Your Highest Self in Every Moment

The Perfection of Our Natural Potential

The Four Cardinal Virtues

Character Beats Beauty

The Stoic Love of Mankind: Act for the Common Welfare

2. Focus on What You Control: Accept Whatever Happens and Make the Best of It

The Stoic Archer: Focus on the Process

Stoic Acceptance: Enjoy the Ride or Get Dragged Along

The Good, the Bad, and the Indifferent Things

In Poker as in Life, You Can Win with Any Hand

3. Take Responsibility: Get Good from Yourself

The Freedom of Choice

The Mind Makes You Rich, Even in Exile

Disturbed or Invincible: That’s Up to You

Chapter 4 The Villain: Negative Emotions Get in the Way

We Want What’s Beyond Our Control

We Lack Awareness and Get Carried Away by Impressions

Part 2 55 Stoic Practices

Chapter 5 How to Practice Stoicism?

Brace Yourself

Be Mindful

Recharge Your Self-Discipline

Don’t Call Yourself a Philosopher

Chapter 6 Preparing Practices

Practice 1 The Stoic Art of Acquiescence: Accept And Love Whatever Happens

Practice 2 Undertake Actions with a Reserve Clause

Practice 3 What Stands in the Way Becomes the Way

Practice 4 Remind Yourself of the Impermanence of Things

Practice 5 Contemplate Your Own Death

Practice 6 Consider Everything as Borrowed from Nature

Practice 7 Negative Visualization: Foreseeing Bad Stuff

Practice 8 Voluntary Discomfort

Practice 9 Prepare Yourself for the Day: The Stoic Morning Routine

Practice 10 Review Your Day: The Stoic Evening Routine

Practice 11 Keep a Role Model in Mind: Contemplate the Stoic Sage

Practice 12 Stoic Aphorisms: Keep Your “Weapons” Ready at Hand

Practice 13 Play Your Given Roles Well

Practice 14 Eliminate the Nonessential

Practice 15 Forget Fame

Practice 16 Like a Minimalist: Live Simple

Practice 17 Take Back Your Time: Cut Out News and Other Timewasters

Practice 18 Win at What Matters

Practice 19 Become an Eternal Student

Practice 20 What Do You Have to Show for Your Years?

Practice 21 Do What Needs to Get Done

Chapter 7 Situational Practices: How to Deal with Yourself when Life Gets Tough?

Practice 22 Your Judgment Harms You

Practice 23 How to Deal With Grief

Practice 24 Choose Courage and Calm over Anger

Practice 25 Beat Fear with Preparation and Reason

Practice 26 Blame Your Expectations

Practice 27 Pain and Provocation: Great Opportunities for Virtue

Practice 28 The Equanimity Game

Practice 29 The Anti-Puppet Mindset

Practice 30 Life Is Supposed to Be Challenging

Practice 31 What’s so Troublesome Here and Now?

Practice 32 Count Your Blessings

Practice 33 Other-ize

Practice 34 Take the Bird’s-Eye View

Practice 35 It’s the Same Old Things

Practice 36 Meat Is Dead Animal: Observe Objectively

Practice 37 Avoid Rashness: Test Your Impressions (!)

Practice 38 Do Good, Be Good

Chapter 8 Situational Practices: How to Handle Yourself When Other People Challenge You?

Practice 39 We Are All Limbs of the Same Body

Practice 40 Nobody Errs on Purpose

Practice 41 Find Your Own Faults

Practice 42 Forgive and Love Those Who Stumble

Practice 43 Pity Rather than Blame the Wrongdoer

Practice 44 Kindness Is Strength

Practice 45 How to Deal with Insults

Practice 46 Scratches Happen In Training

Practice 47 Don’t Abandon Others nor Yourself

Practice 48 For Such a Small Price, Buy Tranquility

Practice 49 Put Yourself in Other People’s Shoes

Practice 50 Choose Your Company Well

Practice 51 Don’t Judge But Yourself

Practice 52 Do Good, Not Only No Evil

Practice 53 Say Only What’s Not Better Left Unsaid

Practice 54 Listen with the Intent to Understand

Practice 55 Lead by Example

Selected Bibliography