How to Be a Stoic

This is a video about Stoicism. I would not call myself a Stoic, but I am someone who has been inspired by the Stoics, and I think that most would benefit from implementing some Stoic practices in their lives. There is a lot of wisdom in Stoicism, and we should make use of it.
In this video, I go over some recommended books for Stoicism and suggest some Stoic practices for everyone to try. This is a great way to try and live like a philosopher.
→ Support
Channel Memberships: / @_jared
Patreon: www.patreon.com/user?u=84329184
Discord: / discord
→ Thinker
My newsletter: jaredhenderson.substack.com
→ The Classical Mind
Check out my podcast where I discuss a great work of literature or philosophy every month: theclassicalmind.com
→ Recommended Reading
Meditations: amzn.to/41OQx2M
Works of Epictetus: amzn.to/3IZjWyK
Letters from a Stoic: amzn.to/3ZmCCzn
Hellenistic Philosophy: amzn.to/3JcrvlN
The Hellenistic Philosophers: amzn.to/41KsfXE
The Stoics Reader: amzn.to/41Yx7Zo
How to Be a Stoic: amzn.to/3SSsgEF
→ Music
Original music by The Music Giant
Get custom music created for your content: www.themusicgiant.com/content...
→ Video Gear
Mic: amzn.to/3Uw7ZVw
Recorder: amzn.to/3Tz1uQp
Camera: amzn.to/3Ust3MT
Camera (upgrade): amzn.to/3EFGW4e
Lens: amzn.to/3WXbAhd
Lens (upgrade): amzn.to/3SA49KM
These are affiliate links with Amazon. The channel earns a commission from each purchase - but it doesn't cost you anything.

[@13hehe]

I normally shy away from these titles, you're the only youtube personality i would trust on this topic...We needed someone who is not a life-hack bro to do any sort of justice to this topic...

[@_jared]

I appreciate the trust!

[@mcgeeak]

thank you for the term I've been struggling to come up with... life-hack bro.

[@13hehe]

@@mcgeeak We all know the exact people that fit that profile don't we :) lol

[@asimplenameichose151]

I recommend looking up professor Michael Sugrue's early 1990s lecture on Aurelius if you are interested in the topic - kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6bYnGSvaamFnc0

[@13hehe]

@@asimplenameichose151 I LOVE his lectures! I've watched the one on Sartre and Heidegger and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@GeorgeVlad-id6hp]

Stoicism changed my life. Thank you.

[@DarthTanaris]

As someone who has read all of the Stoic works, primary texts and modern scholarly work, this is a great overview, well done. I appreciate you bringing up Massimo Pigliucci and Donald Robertson. The Stoics influenced a lot of other philosophers throughout history and I think it's very important that people read them at some point, even if you don't follow it to a T.

[@AI-Hallucination]

That must have taken a long time you must have realized it's bollocks then 😂

[@DarthTanaris]

@@AI-Hallucination It didn't take that long really, and no, there is a lot of good information contained in it.

[@ninialintu]

Would you recommend Ryan Holiday as well? I'm tempted to read Ego is the enemy but it seems a bit too self-helpy.

[@DarthTanaris]

@@ninialintu You can safely skip Ryan Holiday, imo.

[@ninialintu]

@@DarthTanaris thanks! I'll go with Pigliucci's book then

[@skyking6989]

I accepted things as there are. There are things I can change and things I can't. I change what I can, accept what I can't and keep moving forward. It was extremely difficult to stop the "I wish" thoughts over and over but once I did I'm at peace

[@lorenzofilippini6557]

Epictetus is, personally, the definition of a stoic. Even though all the other philosophers have an outstanding knowledge and important thoughts and practices, the majority of them had "stable" and "good" lives, sometimes as politicians or statesmen (e.g. Marcus Aurelius, Seneca and Cicero); I'm not saying that "more comfortable" lives invalidate wisdom and experience, but Epictetus was the one who suffered most of his life as slave, who had nothing, and, yet, through stoicism, became, himself, a philosopher, teaching and heavily influencing other well known stoic philosophers. "Discourses and Selected Writings" is, definitely, one of the most important books of my life, packed with wisdom and humor. It was a blast. Totally recomend it. Even more than "Enchiridion".

[@johnhawkins4908]

Thanks for this video. As a mental health counselor, I have found Stoicism to be useful helping clients. Cognitive Therapy is based on this quote from Epictetus': "It is not external events themselves that cause us distress, but the way in which we think about them, our interpretation of their significance." BTW, have you read Valerie Tiberius' new book, What Do You Want Out of Life? She's an academic philosopher at the U of Minnesota who studies ethics and well-being.

[@ButtersCCookie]

Thank you for the suggestion. I can't wait to dig in. I don't particularly like counseling that focuses on what I need to change without acknowledging societal dereliction. All these big thinkers have made the World a psychopaths playground. None of the research and lectures gave us a better World. Just the evil get better at destroying it. If we were always never in control and just a part of a construct, what was this all for?

[@migueladrianvalevelazquez8703]

Yeah Albert Ellis applied it in his rational emotive therapy

[@StoicEvolution1]

"No man is free who is not master of himself." - Epictetus

[@jmwvirgil]

Just found this channel recently. It's already one of my favourites on KZbin. Thank you for making thoughtful and thought-provoking videos.

[@EntertheMaelstrom]

What a fantastic breakdown. As always, your videos are thought-provoking and well constructed. You're an excellent teacher, I'm grateful that I found your channel.

[@drewscott415]

This time in my life has been stressful and I’m glad i found this video. Worth the follow and look forward to watching more of your videos

[@MT-2020]

Thnkx. Love your input on the stoics. One of the best YT on philosophy-basics.

[@liggymaballs2293]

Thank you man your videos really help me out, im glad to have found your channel when looking for how to be a stoic

[@bujobyfilo]

Amazing video. I've been very interested in stoicism during the past year and I think your overview is excellent. And even if I already knew these principles, you left me thinking, and that's something I greatly appreciate. So thank you Jared!

[@julienelson8162]

I thoroughly enjoy your discussions, and am enriched by them. Your presentations are gentle invitations to learn, to grow, to think in a slightly different way. Your gentle voice is absolutely inviting. I feel like these are conversations more than presentations - not an easy task! Thank you, thank you. You are helping my brain and my soul. Thank you, thank you.

[@twomuchkyzuma2190]

This is a wonderful video. You explained everything so perfectly simple but with wise wording. Love everything about it.

[@StoicWisdomPro]

"I do what is mine to do, the rest does not disturb me" - Marcus Aurelius

[@UriValdez]

Love your style and the fact that you promote stoicism. Its such an important philosophy to apply. Ive been doing research in this and find it fascinating and the benefits are massive!

[@saswatidash2000]

Felt like a warm hand on the heart. Exactly the message that I wanted to hear. After years and years of delving in eastern philosophy and mysticism, I was first interested in (western)stoic philosophy a few years ago, but ironically one of the contemporary men you mentioned who teach philosophy on KZbin and/or write books about it, somehow pushed me away. Probably 'Momento Mori' was not a message I wanted to hear when I was just about starting to accept new life and people along my journey of life. Marcus Aurelius Antonius has got to piquing my interest after many years. Reading his meditations daily does feel so good: feels like saying your prayers, whilst walking through the landscape of the mind of an emperor who commands nothing but respect. One cannot not learn nothing whilst researching stoicism. Keep making these videos, brother!

[@deweyleavitt8499]

Would love a Collab with philosophize this. You two are by far the most interesting and different philosophy resources on the web

[@El_myth]

Finally! Love stoicism, but not pop culture’s version. Thanks for covering!

[@jacquelinewells9771]

You're voice is so calming! Great video

[@Subbingbacktoallwhosubtome]

I have no consistency with my desires and get distracted easily, but for the first time, I feel very confident in myself and really want to make this change. Thank you tons, friend

[@user-qg8ic5ex5z]

Wonderful synthesis of stoicism. As always, great video. I'm a big fan of the continuous shots you use, as apposed to cheaply stimulating viewers with different visuals and sounds every few seconds with the goal of keeping our attention. You respect us enough to trust that we’ll be able to stay interested in what you have to communicate:)

[@endermarcus]

I love this. Thanks for your approach to this virtuous path of life.

[@roberto__6479]

Hi jared, I'm italian and I am trying to learn english by KZbin videos. I just wanna say your channel is perfect because I love philosophy, I really appreciate your job. Thanks!!

[@charlesedwardandrewlincoln8181]

This is an incredible channel. Thank you for your insight.

[@LudovicCarceles]

I've just discovered your channel and read some harsh comments on "pop Stoicism". As someone who hated philosophy during my formal education and as someone who was lost after a prognosis, Ryan Holiday's books, podcast helped me tremendously. Yes, it's a modernized Stoicism or you might want to call it another name, but his clear and concise writings (I'm French and read his books in English) introduced me to the source materials, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus... I would have never thought I would buy philosophy books one day but here I am. And thank to your channel and recommendations Jarod, I will read Plato next followed by Aristotle (both complete works, in French this time :D ) I will finish by a question to "real Stoicism" specialists. What would have thought Zeno of the change to his school by Panaetius, Posidonius and the next? I thought change was unavoidable as Marcus Aurelius wrote in Meditations Book VII but for you it seems that it does not apply to Stoicism. Is Stoicism dead for not changing? Have a wonderful day everyone and sorry for this comment that might be difficult to read for native English speakers...

[@laurentrodriguez9903]

Great video! A book that I don't hear mentioned often is "A guide to the good life: the ancient art of stoic joy" by Prof. William B. Irvine It was a great introduction to Stoicism along side Meditations.

[@guidomarchessi5322]

Thanks for the amazing video, when I read the Meditations it was quite distressing the idea of remind oneself of the moment of death. However, you explained it wonderfully. It would be quite lovely to see your take on the philosophy of Nietzsche.

[@subhankardey6652]

Thank you so much ❤❤ I really appreciate your work. You are doing a great job. 🙏

[@domingo-osabel]

This is such a great content, as well as video editing. My takeaway: The popularity of Stoicism in the modern day must not deviate from its Ancient origin and essence.

[@_jared]

I’m always happy to hear your thoughts, Domingo!

[@aantebajocabecon]

Thanks for the video. To the books you mentioned I'd add "A Guide To The Good Life: The Ancient Art Of Stoic Joy", by William Irvine. Although he is a philosophy professor, he wrote a very engaging intro to stoicism for non-academic audiences. It includes a lot of the practical advice you covered in the video. I think I enjoyed it even more than Pigliucci's book.

[@trapdeath99]

Grateful to be able to watch this video... It was helpful

[@oiu6859]

You are easily becoming one of my favorite KZbinrs. I knew about all of the things you discussed here having read the Stoics myself, but I still think this video was well worth my time.

[@beneely2283]

Yup, gained a subscriber. Your videos lately have been top notch quality and care :)

[@tycahill5070]

Awesome video. Very informative and easy to follow. A great introduction on how to be a stoic. Thanks for this.

[@evie4005]

i really enjoyed this video thank you!

[@jamielape3135]

I like the content you publish, especially on stoicism 💪🏾❤🔥

[@philnasmith9755]

Thanks Jared - an excellent in introduction to Stoicism.

[@tabbathaskye9661]

Thank you for this!

[@Betweterspodcast]

Your stoic content is so well thought out… hope to see more :)

[@clip6741]

8:10 nope.

[@zvagulxx3163]

Its crazy how i did not know how to become stoic and here now watching this i saw my personality traits described as the way to become a stoic. Guess i naturally got myself to follow up these self rules and view of things by progressing in life. But all I can say is that you have to become the stoic in the right way becouse as the way to opening you're tird eye in meditation can break you're life, following stoic mindset can break you aswell for example geting the atelophobia which is a fear of imperfection which coud make you're life troublesome.

[@robsonag]

We need to see this video everyday. Until the all topics turn into habilities. Thanks!

[@joan5]

Great video and content. thank you !

[@smoochie4667]

Fantastic video. Thank you very much!

[@CatastrophicDisease]

I loved Pigliucci and Robertson's books, but found Holiday's to be shallow and poorly written - though I know many people actually found Stoicism through them, which I suppose can only be a good thing. Great video as always.

[@ButtersCCookie]

Prehaps that's why I find it difficult and admittedly hostile to accept. It's the shallowness of the presenter. Eventhough I find it hard to accept a man so wise being killed so unjustly. Where were his students to rage and protect this "treasure"? That could have been stopped. Does acceptance mean cowardice? Silence? Self preservation?

[@bethjames8212]

Thank you, I enjoyed this video

[@venkatraju2863]

Man this is a great video. I have seen videos about stoic philosophy and never fully understood. I thought this idea isnt suitable for modern world or for me but way you explained made me realise about stoicism. I jus have a question to my fellow people let us say that if someone annoys you or bullies you in your office/college repeatedly, what should be my response ?Do i have to respond with force or practice calmness ?

[@zaikdesdecali]

Great information ❤❤❤

[@shubhranilnag5982]

I think stoicism has its very particular drawbacks, but its a very good introduction to philosophy in general, and most importantly the maxims mentioned therein are not difficult to implement. Would urge everyone to practice the tips in the video! great video !

[@KnightOfFaith]

What are these drawbacks you are referring to?

[@shubhranilnag5982]

@@KnightOfFaith kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2XCfqObh5egiNk : Jared linked this video in community few days back, this explains it 👍

[@NTNG13]

@@KnightOfFaith From the top of my head Stoics seems to favor some sort of emotional repression which modern psychology says could affect you in the long run. I feel like in trying to control the passions some go too far into the stereotypical unfeeling asshole who can't empathize. There's other philosophies where feelings and emotions are channeled and thought about differently and IMO in a more functional way.

[@ericsierra-franco7802]

@@NTNG13 not true. They don't favor "emotional repression". That's stoic...but not Stoicism.

[@NTNG13]

@@ericsierra-franco7802 Stoics vary much from thinker to thinker. Some of them leaned heavier on the control of emotions than others. Emotional supression is part of Stoicism to some degree even if its not the main focus.

[@blouecore]

thank you so muchhh, you contents really help me a lottt

[@blouecore]

your*

[@BE_UNSHAKABLE369]

I find Stoicism to be a very holistic philosophy that addresses all aspects of human life.

[@physiotherapyinsider6468]

Great insights! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@daledalegend]

Nice video mate!

[@WaterWhirld]

The link to your podcast is incorrect. Just letting you know. Love your channel.

[@Palmman69]

Stoicism was also used in the ancient tamil civilisation but not as stoicism but many of the literature writings of ancient tamils contains the qualities of stoicism for example the quote of kaniyan poonkundranar he said "யாதும் ஊரே யாவரும் கேளிர்" which means "I am the citizen of the world and every human is my kin and kind" or "All the places on earth are our home and all the people are our kin" and this was back in 1000BC.

[@MrPodvig]

My introduction to stoicism was Jeremiah Denton's, "When Hell Was In Session." Eight years in a North Vietnamese prison camp is a pretty thorough shakedown for a personal philosophy. Stoicism served Admiral Denton well.

[@judgeshred66]

Cool vid on a very misunderstood topic. Speaking of which, what’s your view on the way Epictetus reacts to grief? On a number of occasions in discourses he implies that grief should be met with pity, because one who allows grief to consume them has forgotten that the loss of a loved one is out of their control. To me this contradicts other key points of stoicism - namely kindness which you point out and also to be at one with nature. Grief is natural and indeed expected. I can’t imagine approaching grief with pity.

[@RobertLambert-bc5kj]

Thanks buddy

[@christianwittmann6108]

love it 😍👍

[@mojo2968]

great video

[@TheLyricsGuy]

Meditations is my favorite book of all time. It is jam packed with wisdom.

[@DarthTanaris]

Each late stoa author has a different way of delivering what is generally the same message. Marcus Aurelius was unique as it was his personal journal later in his life. It's the inner dialogue of a Stoic. Seneca is one of my favorites personally, Epictetus probably takes the cake though. Seneca makes me feel as though a Stoic sage is writing to me personally as a mentor. Epictetus feels much like going to a lecture and receiving the knowledge directly from the tap. In short, you can't go wrong with any of them, all of them hit in a different way and it's all good.

[@TheLyricsGuy]

@@DarthTanaris Yes I’m reading Epictetus’s Golden Sayings now and loving that too.

[@_jared]

Personally, I prefer Epictetus - but Marcus Aurelius is a great entryway into Stoicism and philosophy more generally.

[@TheLyricsGuy]

@@_jared Why is that? Not arguing. Genuinely curious.

[@AlexAndronic-bv4go]

Great job on this video text & visuals. Very useful. What I like at stoicism and his key authors, it that it has a lot in common with theism (Christianity). Many of the core ideas are shared very well between the two systems of thought. And I am not surprised by that at all because, after all, all truth is God truth.

[@MT-2020]

Conformism, Contentment and Compliance? Employee of the Month Award, entry level position...Be quiet and smile, thanks everybody, and shut up.

[@DarthTanaris]

Thomas Aquinas used the Stoic virtues (wisdom, temperance, courage, justice) as the basis of his cardinal Christian virtues (add faith and charity to that list). It's no surprise that Christianity pulled a lot from a philosophy that the ruling culture of the day found value in. Not to take away from it, more to point out how these philosophies influence each other throughout time.

[@kcoart5675]

Have you read Inner Citadel and other works by Pierre Hadot?

[@bbudimanalqodri]

Stoic practice 1. Read closely to the concept 2. Jurnaling (gratitute) 3. Memento Mori 4. Accept thing you cant control (dont let your happiness depend on them) 5. Treat other with kindness (understand people) 6. Voluntary discomfort (control your passion of comfort) 7. Self reflection every night about past/today

[@ashrafulalamkhan6723]

In this video, Jared explained the principles of stoicism with according 7 applicable practices. I personally do not buy into the crazy hype of stoicism. But as Jared puts it, stoicism can be a good introduction to philosophy and solutions to the modern problems of life. Thank you Jared for mentioning additional reading materials. I will definitely check out the philosophy encyclopedia reference.

[@yokoso2386]

i have -4 nearsighthed that i have to wear glassess to see clearlly, i often think about it and waste my energy get heated and discourage of my life because of this condition that i keep avoiding wearing glassess because of the insecurities and maybe i have to accept that condition that i cannot control

[@RaMB0q]

Do I also need a curly hairs and beard as marcus to be a stoic?

[@kingdm8315]

Nice

[@joelturnbull4038]

I wonder how these kinds of practices overlap with what Christians call “spiritual disciplines”. There seems to be a similar kind of impetus behind them, but I’m not sure whether they could really be considered the same thing.

[@goateecusbilly1823]

Stoicism heavily influenced Judaism and Christianity, even Buddhism in some ways. There's plenty of overlap.

[@guilhermedias9215]

Hey Jared, in beginning of this video, you said that u don't consider yourself stoic, I'd like know why of this and if you practice this habits?

[@_jared]

I’m not strictly speaking a Stoic for a few reasons. One, I don’t share some of the metaphysical views of the Stoics. Two, I am not sure I fully endorse the Stoic view of apathy. Three, I have a different (more strict) view of asceticism that is probably more similar to the ancient Cynics. Nevertheless I have learned much from the Stoics and plan to continue to spread the best parts of their teachings.

[@guilhermedias9215]

@@_jared That's nice bro!

[@nebyu96]

Are christanity and stoicism actually compatiable ? Asking genuinely. I heard that augustin was in love with stocism but eventually after many years of converting to other philosophies/religions became christian.

[@ericsierra-franco7802]

Stoicism had a influence on Christianity.

[@kaptnstrumpfus6759]

The vulgar understanding of Bro-Stoicism seems to be basically the ideology (in the most traditional sense) of conforming with an extreme class divide. It becomes a technology of feeling like a winner in it more like becoming one. And it is a step back to ancient Greek moralism versus a materialist economic analysis.

[@jessica_wood]

Jared - don’t shy away from talking about your Orthodox faith. I for one am very interested to hear more about it.

[@brunorubiorojas8631]

More books and less social media.

[@schrodingerskatze2162]

Something that makes me bothered is how Stoicism is separated from its Polytheism and Animism as well as its very pro-Social tendencies. Modern "Stoics" seem to be whitewashed into hustle culture bs. Stoics were often the people criticizing economic exploitation, not saying you should work hard to make profit for others. PS: Economics exploitation -> The Worker is submitted to a slave-owner, feudal lord or capitalist and has most of the fruits of their labor extracted. The State normally exists to maintain those systems - > Slavery, Feudalism, Capitalism.

[@_jared]

It is an understandable concern. I've been doing a slow read of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations over on my newsletter, and I try to emphasize the metaphysics of Stoicism as a way of countering the modern reduction of Stoicism to hustle culture/self-help. It is always helpful to remember that one of the major proponents of Stoicism was a slave - this was a philosophy for the oppressed.

[@Gruso57]

Well put. Lots of modern stoics don't represent the philosophy well. Which isn't a Stoic issue, its a people issue

[@KnightOfFaith]

Bro thinks having a job is economic exploitation

[@schrodingerskatze2162]

@@KnightOfFaith No. Having a job under Capitalism is. -> The Workers should democratically control the firms where they work at.

[@schrodingerskatze2162]

@@KnightOfFaith The classical usage of the word Economic Exploitation was coined precisely to describe how workers are subservient to those who don't do any work. Those who don't do any work nonetheless have dictatorial power in the workplace, they also have power over the State, whereas workers tend not to have power over the State. AKA Slavery-Feudalism-Capitalism

[@wmalgal]

How do you square Stoicism with your Christian faith?

[@xjohnwebsterx]

Now do epicureanism :)

[@kl-ge9bg]

I'd be interested in Jared's explication of Epicureanism as well, if only because I always felt that there is a lot of misconception about what it stands for.

[@lorenzomizushal3980]

This is why i stay out of politics. It's simply something I have no control over.

[@tregittens3971]

I am unattractive so i have to accept it even after self improvement (sigh) man I know I would have enjoyed life more if I was better looking.

[@micaelagarrido7561]

oh yeah, the neurotic guide to be a self abuser, sounds a lot like me xd

[@LubaLuba1]

But this not philosophical it was intentional.

[@user-on7zd8yi8g]

A lot of the stoic principles are biblical- self denial, for example.

[@berniekatzroy]

Always appreciate the philosophers of antiquity. They were chads who were jacked and wise. Always enjoy your content.