Stoic Advice If You Can't Focus

Our house is chaos. Our schedule is grueling. Our boss is screaming our ears off.
There is barely a thread holding it all together. There is never enough sleep. There is never enough time. Yet, to be good at our jobs, to be good at this living thing, we need to find the time so that we might find stillness. Find time to reflect, to focus. We need the calm that comes from stillness to restore and reboot us.
Where will we find it? It won’t be, as Seneca and Marcus Aurelius remind us, in fleeing to the country or to the sea. It won’t be those measly two weeks of vacation or by cutting and running. No, we must find the stillness within the chaos. It might not feel like these moments of quiet can exist within a world full of honking and yelling, with a Google calendar so packed with meetings and deadlines that everyday looks like its own package of Starburst.
But it can. If we go within.
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Animation:
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[@forestpump3]

The person who animated this need a raise!

[@cblanchhiphop]

Agreed - curious how they did this and how long it took

[@koenignero]

@@cblanchhiphop Could also be mostly AI generated with some human polishing

[@tylergrant4196]

@@cblanchhiphop it took me 69 seconds

[@billimew7496]

How can I do that. Does AI can these things ?

[@billimew7496]

​@@tylergrant4196how

[@aurelius123]

"Difficulties strengthen the mind as labor does to the body" -Seneca

[@orewa_AB]

1k likes and 0 comments, lemme fix that.

[@nehajain6794]

@@orewa_AB 😂haha

[@CrAzy-zz8lq]

@@orewa_AB That made me smile:)

[@mage1086]

atanjali's yoga talks about the disciplines for attaining focus. Yama (Restraints) Niyama (Observances) Asana (Posture) Pranayama (Breath Control) Pratyahara (Withdrawal of the Senses) Dharana (Concentration) Dhyana (Meditation) . Samadhi (Pure Contemplation)

[@joju5849]

Damn, it’s nice to know that even thousands of years ago, people were annoyed by their neighbours.

[@RamseyMikati]

😂😂😂

[@zoyaali9545]

😅

[@edwardmitchell6581]

And apparently, crime was so rampant and the criminals so brazen you could hear them from inside.

[@Cosmo_P0litan]

Always

[@zan1158]

And a demented emperor. Sound familiar?

[@StoicPhilosophyLessons]

"If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable." -Seneca

[@Gustavo-so7zk]

did you get that from the tren twins

[@MrSagarcool14]

@@Gustavo-so7zkyou are kidding right ?

[@robertdipietro991]

@@Gustavo-so7zk lmao i heard it from chris too ts was funny "If you don't know what port your sailing to, how do you know what wind is favorable"

[@5aesar]

@@Gustavo-so7zk yes seneca actually got it from the tren twins in the ancient times

[@aaronbell5994]

No wind is unfavorable either 👀

[@nnnjc1]

Depressed? Don't be. Distracted? Just focus. Wow great advice.

[@freesiaaleah3251]

Lol the animation was amazing yet I don’t get the main solution as well

[@Green_Luck9800]

the worst thing was me imagining it was some self-help video or something like that, then at the end the guy puts an advertisement for his book lol

[@jltg34]

The majority of self help basically boils down to this, it's pretty annoying... The only helpful thing to take away from this video is "in perseverance you will succeed", except it's not really a guarantee.

[@SHISH_STYLE]

That is indeed the real answer to those problems, no one can fix you but yourself, therapy is only a temporary fix

[@jesuschristlovingyou]

The advice actually is just do it no matter what's going on around you. The message from this scene from Seneca is that external noise isn't what is distracting, but that you cede your attention to the distractions. People want a five step program for how to do a thing or a methodology but that's not how the world works.

[@thepotbellyninja]

Stoic advice if you can't focus: "just focus". Phenomenal!

[@nihinkcmxhfwnhi]

lmfao ikr

[@maximelagace]

Think about this one: "The day a man becomes superior to pleasure, he will also be superior to pain." -Seneca

[@MrSandManGiveMeADream]

oh i thought Zizek had said that.

[@jadenfabiani4362]

"i can't focus" "then just focus" that's great.

[@robbedacop9680]

Started daydreaming after the pick pocketing scene. Can't even focus enough to watch this so stay safe guys.

[@ohreally4065]

So, the advice seems to be "block out the distractions". Thanks. Hadn't thought of that.

[@petrl7964]

Yeah, truly life-changing advice...

[@DrRussell]

Ryan. Thank you for taking my excuses away.

[@StoicEvolution1]

"Because a thing seems difficult for you, do not think it impossible for anyone to accomplish." - Marcus Aurelius

[@yashkotecha77]

A man who suffers before it is necessary, suffers more than is necessary. - Seneca

[@jkdmasta]

Love the animation! Fantastic representation of how Seneca handled all the disturbances that surrounded him. I’m a current student so this is something I struggle with, finding focus when everything around me is constantly breaking it. To strengthen my nerves, this I will do. Thank you Ryan!

[@marybaker8061]

❤❤ I love and appreciate the artist's interpretation with these videos. I appreciate the lessons, Ryan. Very incredible and informative, thank you. I love this about no sound reaches them.

[@safiulfaiyaz7038]

I think people need to stop hating on things that don't tell them what to do, this is a meditation, not an instructional video you close your eyes & imagine & everything around you fades away & you start again. Such is Life.

[@facts_and_quotes.]

"One day you will wake up and there won't be any more time to do the things you've always wanted. Do it now."

[@davespeed2856]

Awesome video! I work as a substitute teacher. Last school year, I re-read STILLNESS IS THE KEY to help me stay calm in the classroom.

[@SadorRecaps]

“Don’t let the force of an impression when it first hits you knock you off your feet; just say to it, “Hold on a moment; let me see who you are and what you represent. Let me put you to the test.” ~ Epictetus”

[@stefansofronescu7675]

Besides the knowledge this video provides, I find this story to be inspiring more than anything else, as it motivates me to achieve the greatness of people like Seneca, because they are venerated and remembered, not for the treasures or land they had, but for their impact on the world and for the sagacity they provided us with.

[@SikOfBS]

I can't thank you enough, Ryan. You've been extremely helpful with my new direction, and I'm grateful to you for being the gardener who planted stoicism in a time when it was exactly what I needed. Your videos and shorts introduced me to Stoicism as our son laid in a hospital bed waiting for a new heart. I'm happy to say that he and I hang out with you daily now.

[@zoyaali9545]

It gladdens me to read comments like yours. Hope your son is well.❤️

[@brodoswagins9151]

Thanks for sharing the wisdom.

[@robik9885]

Thank you, my friend ❤

[@FrankGraffagnino]

We need a video interviewing the person who does these animations. Incredible!

[@marikasun4498]

Lovely work - wow!! So inspiring! Great gratitude Ryan 😃👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻❤️❤️❤️✨🌟☀️💫✨🌟☀️💫✨🌟☀️💫❤️❤️❤️

[@p.c.h.6721]

If you want to be able to focus, ignore will power and meditate consistently, eventually your mind will stop drifting, idling, and you’ll be able to be present.

[@rizwanrauf4940]

Meditate for how long daily and time period

[@p.c.h.6721]

@@rizwanrauf4940 Ideally twice a day for 15 to 20 minutes, if you have the time try 30 minutes, but just with 10-15 minutes twice per day CONSISTENTLY will make massive difference. Initially you may feel that you’re wasting your time, but trust me, as you become much more aware of your thoughts you’ll be able to control your mind very effectively. The biggest benefits are felt during stressful periods, when life throws you difficult problems and challenges, being able to control your thoughts, specially those that we have from having very strong emotions (as we know acting on emotions will generally make things much worse, how many people have ended up in jail betrayed by their emotions & feelings) Just like you can train your muscles by working out, or improve your heartbeat by running or riding a bike, you can also train yourself to control the emotions that you feel, and the thoughts that you have 💭 (meditation would definitely stop people from committing suicide.)

[@desooooooooooooooo]

@@rizwanrauf4940 just do it stop procrastinating

[@amanrampuria2830]

@@rizwanrauf4940 start with 10 min Early morning is favourable, especially after you have taken shower And you can do this in between if you feel unfocused By just being silent and still for a few minutes

[@randomdudeontheinternet5901]

​​@@amanrampuria2830how do you meditate exactly, like just sit there and do nothing? Or do you need to do something specific like patterns in breathing

[@intellectualsquid69]

"just stop crying and get over it lmao." -Senece

[@adhithyakr2913]

😂 Really, was expecting some usable advice till the end

[@intellectualsquid69]

@@adhithyakr2913 honestly stoicsm was for thousand of years ago yeah it worked then but now everything has changed and in my opinion problem solving is way better than just accepting it and moving on

[@uberdonkey9721]

So admirable, and great advice.

[@nanaymel7883]

I'm currently reading this booknof yours. Stillness is the key.

[@Ikigai747]

Thank you for this video, I feel much better! Grinding harder today!

[@shawn238]

Beautiful animation and a perfectly crafted short film! Thanks for lessening the noise !

[@OnyxMB]

I need it so much...I've been working on it for a while now. It really requires effort every day to make it easier...

[@blessedUN]

I needed this thank you

[@sfd4603]

love the emails Ryan! keep up the immaculate work you do brother

[@Qyrx]

“Just snorted some adderall feeling focused” - Seneca

[@genghisgalahad8465]

It is the book that began my current reading journey of Ryan Holiday! Inspiring and exhilarating presentation!

[@iamclydieCS]

Thank you

[@jbela]

Funny how I'm watching this in a noisy break room while eating my lunch and people are trying to ask me something while I got my headphones on 😆

[@alison797]

I find your videos calming

[@quarteracreadventures855]

I love the ones that are animated like this

[@hasankumar089]

Beautiful animation and beautiful voice over.

[@derekkt49]

I needed this...

[@masTerT96]

Loving the new graphic-videos!! Well done R.H.!!😎👍

[@therichbuddha3277]

How the hell did you make this video? It's art! The concept reminds me of a passage from the Tao Te Ching, about the man in the busy city square who can keep his mind as calm as the man on the mountaintop. That is true power.

[@AxyDev]

"When there's no enemy within, the enemy outside can do us no harm"

[@ariwilsun]

We've got Ryan narrating! This is how it should be.

[@Finlandpro1]

that magical state known as flow. I love how similiar stoicism is to buddhism and taoism

[@explorer.samrat]

Fantastic animation work Ryan !! Your video quality is improving with each day.😊😊

[@explorer.samrat]

@@Jaymoss95 Obviously he didn't. His team did it. 😊

[@domd3580]

This is AI animation@@explorer.samrat

[@harshler]

​​@@explorer.samratno [check description]

[@caleb.9]

Jesus loves yall God bless i love yall u can still turn to Him rn

[@kelvintrendgram]

For good reason seneca is the philosopher my brain needs

[@loosebrown6697]

Great video man and thanks for the story

[@bin4ry_d3struct0r]

That's a nice plug!

[@sebastiansimonofficial]

Awesome

[@mangeshphule4927]

Yeah great animation

[@Gulfraz.]

Thank goodness for headphones!!! ❤

[@aaronbell5994]

Wow!!

[@DisisSid001]

I don't know how to express this but, this video touched me man... Keep uploading more of these, it'll me get off my bed and do something productive. Subscribed to you with the notification on!

[@JW341000]

This was great

[@rajaskasar6094]

I am 12th grader who is giving a really, really hard engineering examination, for which I have been preparing for almost 2-3 years. I have been so obssessed with wanting to perform well, I put more than 14 hours of my day into studying. I have honestly almost completely broken any connection with the virtual, or real world. Not even joking, the only time I socialize is when I am at my class, and that too not for long. And what I have realised is reducing connection from the world really, really increases focus. Really, the root cause for loss of focus is if if you are either unable to get the desired success from the activity you were doing, there is a thought going on in the back of your mind. I can go on for 4-5 hours not even getting up from my study, as there is no longer such a thought running at the back of my mind. Furthermore, repeating, reconfiguring, and finding better possible ways to cover the vast syllabus in an easier way than before, solving a lot of questions has really feduced loss of my focus due to the really tough questions I cant get past. If a given activity is of utmost importance to you, reduce your connection from the world... it may strongly help...

[@yashsonawane2233]

Respect_/\_

[@leloupleclair4685]

Peace as well as freedom, in their truest/ purest form or sense.. I truly do bbelieve that peace & freedom are only possible from within.. I also realized about a year ago that i can be perfectly content watching paint dry.. lol

[@Sumit_Bhise]

Exceptional Animation!!! Loved it ❤

[@millemaolchannel8608]

Great

[@jakubrembiasz8942]

Good one !

[@HustlingFreedom]

00:00 Finding Serenity Amidst Adversity Seneca faced extreme noise and adversity in ancient Rome. Despite the chaos, he found serenity and wrote profound essays. Seneca's ability to focus in any environment is an aspiration. 02:05 Achieving Inner Stillness Seneca emphasized the importance of inner peace and focus. Inner stillness allows one to function effectively in any circumstance. The goal is to be undisturbed by external chaos and maintain clarity.

[@CapitalCLB]

On a serious Note, I would pay you fr teaching me this kinda astonishing editing bro‼️

[@user-qq5ip8oj5y]

Got this video as suggestion while opening YT to waste time at the middle of studies!

[@ajg2business]

This is well put together. Thanks Ryan. I can keep going!!!!!!!!!

[@buddhichaudhary609]

This is outstanding 😮😮😮❤❤❤ video

[@juliettailor1616]

Great animation.

[@ramonalewis6050]

Very cool 😎 video. Keep up the good work!

[@eeo1156]

you need to be focused but also aware

[@SenorPotato2]

Ryan, thank you for showing us the way! 😊

[@niharpadole5357]

Marketing on point

[@cbrpnk1789]

Great ad cheers to the marketing team.

[@slemanslman5974]

Woah good job

[@justingarcia6328]

Amazing video

[@ryaflexy9501]

Nice direction

[@deepthinker851]

I hope this was not too expensive too make but Ryan im telling you! This is the future of this KZbin channel! Please keep making more these visuals are insane! I mean yeah we came for the message mostly, but the visuals are damn sweet! 🔥

[@shugupta1811]

The animation is sick 😲

[@tdyrc]

This Ai animation gets better every month lol

[@vinayallavarapu]

Nice video editing ❤❤❤

[@axsninja5215]

I am craving this very stillness since the day i broke my friendship with someone i was really really attached to I needed this Thank you soo much

[@cannibalronny7314]

Easier said than done, only a person bereft of any emotions can concentrate, emotions are the one that's fk u up.

[@bismage69]

I love the part where he told us how to focus

[@ttabros346]

he did he said to focus just focus like the man in the video smh people dont understand anything these days😠

[@bismage69]

@@ttabros346 okay then you tell me what did you understand from it😊

[@ttabros346]

@@bismage69 I know how to focus now, just focus. Simple really😒

[@bismage69]

@@ttabros346 then why did you watch this video 🤨

[@ttabros346]

@@bismage69 to learn how to focus

[@Jackjoe11]

This is my life From every small thing i get distracted

[@Prov2030]

This is a hallow video without any informative content but relatively decent animation and ads.

[@daveyt4802]

Control of your own mind seem to be life's biggest challenge IMO.

[@sedgwickmcalaster7785]

From without as with in

[@TheDiJ0]

great animation

[@FutureWealthCircle]

ANIMATION CRAZY!!

[@WhiskATango]

I feel like there needs to be merging of Stoic philosophy and the meditation and mindfulness taught in Buddhism.

[@yourboy3316]

Early soon to be stoics ftw👑

[@wayneloves_anime1566]

Wow

[@noob-qk7mo]

Editing🛐

[@motivationalquotes53340]

"The only way to do great work is to love what you do."

[@Rocky_Anunnaki]

🔥!

[@abhijitpradhan9831]

Nice video editing 😊

[@safaqksd2827]

This video is really good... Editor +voice🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@bipulgamer07]

Liking for the animation

[@TwentyOneBunSalute]

While carpenters hammer away in their shops- *cuts to carpenter hammering a wheel to shape*😂