In this conversation, Michael and Caleb discuss Epictetus’s chapter On Attention (Discourses 4.12). It’s an essential reading from the Stoic master on an essential topic.

Buddhism 101

Stoicism and Mindfulness

Caleb and Michael also preview an upcoming conversation on Moderation…Stay tuned. It will be released in the next few weeks.

(01:04) The Importance of Attention
(06:07) Pay Attention Now
(08:48) Attention Fuels the Fire
(10:27) Always On
(15:08) What's Wrong With Phones
(20:41) Moderate Shoutout
(22:17) What Are You Attending To?
(31:45) What Else Should You Pay Attention To
(34:59) The Meaning of Life Is Game
(37:48) Attention Is a Habit
(45:31) The Soul Becomes Dyed With the Color of Its Thoughts
(48:45) Reactive Focus

***

Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod

If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.

Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

The Stoics promoted the four cardinal virtues: courage, moderation, justice, and wisdom. In this episode, we talk about Stoic courage. Caleb and Michael discuss what it is and how the Stoics broke it down into different subdisciplines.

Their breakdown still provides an effective framework for building the skill of bravery today.

(01:03) What Is Courage?

(10:19) Aristotle

(14:14) The Subcomponents Of Courage

(15:36) Endurance

(19:03) Confidence

(21:23) Greatness Of Soul

(27:34) Vitality

(33:54) Love Of Work

(39:07) Not Just Overcoming Fear

(40:59) Seneca Motivation

(46:18) Summary

***

Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod

If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.

Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/

Do you want to learn how to Journal like Marcus Aurelius?

Parker Settecase explains different approaches to journaling, writing, and recording your thoughts. He and Michael take a deep dive into how and why to think about journaling.

Use these strategies to organize your thinking, and be the best version of yourself.

Park Notes

Michael and Parker on Parker's Pensées

(01:32) Journaling As A Philosophical Practice

(18:24) Transformative Journaling

(22:32) Self-Dialogue

(31:44) Why You Need A Catch All

(34:32) Journaling To Be Present

(38:09) Diary Vs Journal

(44:35) Marcus Aurelius Had A Journal Not A Diary

(45:45) Commonplace Book Vs Compendium

(57:17) Recommendations

(59:18) Michael Pushes Back

(01:02:08) Creation Over Consumption

(01:08:40) Nature Log

(01:12:02) Learn More

***

Subscribe to The Stoa Letter for weekly meditations, actions, and links to the best Stoic resources: www.stoaletter.com/subscribe

Download the Stoa app (it’s a free download): stoameditation.com/pod

If you try the Stoa app and find it useful, but truly cannot afford it, email us and we'll set you up with a free account.

Listen to more episodes and learn more here: https://stoameditation.com/blog/stoa-conversations/

Thanks to Michael Levy for graciously letting us use his music in the conversations: https://ancientlyre.com/