#5: Stoic Enlightenment, Future Anxiety, and How to Reframe Loss

Plus an amazing conversation between Donald Robertson and Massimo Pigliucci

Author

Jon Brooks
December 31, 2022

🏹 Stoic Wisdom Arrows

🔮 How to Think About Future Uncertainty: Many of us want to try and be prudent about the future, but who determines what is prudent and what isn’t? In this post, I break down Epictetus’ views on how to think about the future in uncertain times. Read it here.

⚡️ The 3 Stages to Stoic Enlightenment: In this podcast lesson, I cover the three levels of expertise when working with desire and aversion from novice to Sage. Listen here.

☀️ The Marcus Aurelius Morning Meditation That Prepared his Mind for Action: This is a free lesson taken from my premium Stoic relationships course which explains how Marcus Aurelius prepared his mind for encounters with difficult people. Listen here.

🎙️ Editor’s Pick: Donald Robertson Chats to Massimo Pigliucci About Socrates, Stoicism, and Leadership

Massimo Pigliucci on Socrates, Stoicism and Leadership

Listen now (58 mins) | Podcast Featuring the Author of "How to be a Stoic" and "The Quest for Character"

open.substack.com/pub/donaldrobertson/p/massimo-pigliucci-on-socrates-stoicism?r=90wd2&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web

♟️ Featured Stoic Tactic

“Under no circumstances ever say ‘I have lost something,’ only ‘I returned it.’ Did a child of yours die? No, it was returned. Your wife died? No, she was returned. ‘My land was confiscated.’ No, it too was returned.”

— Epictetus

Never say the following sentence:

“I have lost something.”

Instead, replace the word “lost” with “returned” and say:

“I have returned something.”

(Learn more about this tactic here.)

✍️ Journal Prompt

I have personally found journalling to be an incredible transformational tool and that’s why I included an entire psychological writing section in Stoic Anxiety Mastery. I’ve used journalling to overcome trauma, deal with challenging stressors, and think more with more reason, thereby reducing suffering.

In a recent book I read called Healing From Hidden Abuse, author Shannon Thomas says the most important journalling question she has her students/clients answer is the following:

What is a high quality life for me?

It’s a very open question, and you can go in many different directions. I encourage you to set aside some time this week and see what comes up as you journal in response to this question.

If you enjoy the free Stoic Handbook content, particularly the podcasts, but want to go deeper, I’ve created Stoic Handbook Premium, where you can enjoy my courses and exclusive Q&As and lessons.

Here are the latest episodes published, only available to subscribers:

  • The View (People) From Above Exercise to Overcome Social Stressors

  • Stoic Loving Kindness Practice to Level Up Your Social Tranquility

  • Master The Art of Skilful Communication

  • Surviving Toxic Relationships When You Feel Stuck

  • 10 Secret Strategies of Emotional Abusers and How to Avoid Them

🤝 Friend of Wisdom

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Thanks for reading, and I will be in touch soon!

(Fate permitting)

Jon