Auckland Stoics

A discussion around what Stoicism is, where it came from, and then a look into the virtues, principles, and finally, how to put Stoicism into our daily lives. Come and join us for a philosophical discussion

What is Stoicism?
Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy that teaches you how to remain calm under pressure, think clearly in chaos, and focus on what you can actually control. It is a practical, action‑focused philosophy.
Stoicism is not about suppressing emotions or becoming cold. It’s about responding to life’s challenges with wisdom and inner strength rather than impulse and reactivity.
Core ideas:

1. Focus on what you control: your thoughts, choices, efforts, and responses
2. Accept what you don’t control: other people’s behaviour, outcomes, circumstances, the past
3. Live according to virtue: wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance

Origins
Stoicism began around 300 BCE. After being shipwrecked near Athens, Zeno of Citium discovered a book about Socrates that changed the course of his life. He spent years studying with the city’s leading philosophers and eventually developed his own distinctive system.
Zeno taught at the Stoa Poikile (“Painted Porch”), a public colonnade decorated with murals. The philosophy takes its name from this place — Stoicism.
Famous Stoics:

• Marcus Aurelius – Roman Emperor
• Seneca – Roman Senator and playwright
• Epictetus – Former slave turned influential teacher

The Four Virtues
The Stoics believed a good life is built on four cardinal virtues:

• Wisdom — understanding what is good, bad, and indifferent
• Courage — acting rightly despite fear or difficulty
• Justice — treating others fairly and fulfilling your social role
• Temperance — exercising self‑control, moderation, and balance

Key Principles
The Dichotomy of Control Everything in life falls into two categories:
Within Our Control:

• Our thoughts and judgments
• Our actions and efforts
• Our values and character
• How we respond to events

Outside Our Control:

• Other people’s opinions and actions
• The past and future
• Natural events and circumstances
• Outcomes and results

Amor Fati — Love Your Fate
“Amor fati” means embracing reality as it is, not as we wish it to be.
It does not mean pretending bad things are good. It means:

• Accepting events without resistance
• Finding opportunity within obstacles
• Refusing to add suffering to pain
• Using every experience as fuel for growth

Marcus Aurelius wrote:
“A blazing fire makes flame and brightness out of everything that is thrown into it.”
The View from Above
This exercise invites you to zoom out and see your life from a cosmic perspective.
Imagine rising above your house, your city, your country, and finally the Earth itself. From that vantage point, your current problem becomes small and temporary.
Ask yourself: Will this matter in 100 years? 1,000 years?
This practice restores perspective and helps you focus on what truly matters.
Negative Visualization (Premeditatio Malorum)
Stoics regularly imagined worst‑case scenarios not to be gloomy, but to build resilience.
Benefits include:

• Greater appreciation for what you have
• Emotional preparedness for difficulty
• Reduced anxiety about uncertainty
• Strengthened resilience

Seneca advised:
“Rehearse them in your mind: exile, torture, war, shipwreck. All the terms of our human lot should be before our eyes.”
Other Core Ideas

• Living According to Nature — fulfilling your role as a rational, social being
• Memento Mori — remembering that life is finite, so live intentionally

Daily Practices

• Morning Meditation — set intentions and clarify what is in your control
• Evening Review — reflect on actions, mistakes, and improvements
• Stoic Journaling — examine judgments, emotions, and choices
• Voluntary Discomfort — build resilience through small, intentional challenges