Handle Hard Stuff With Stoicism

This is a support group that focuses on Stoicism
From learning to crush your goals to dealing with hard times. The ancient practice of Stoicism was created to help us handle adversity.

Is this group for you?
This group holds a mini class about different topics on stoicism and a discussion about how we can use stoic wisdom to further our ability to live the good life. If you are looking for other stoics with whom you can share and build your practice, or you are just curious as to how Stoicism can help you, then this is the group for you.

What is Stoicism?
Stoicism is not a religion or a spiritual practice. It is a philosophy of life that was created by the ancient Greeks to help people to:

• Seize the day - now.
• Survive - and thrive - in tough times.
• Change what you can.
• Accept what you can't change.
• Replace lust for wealth, fame, and status with the pursuit of meaning.
• Let go of the fear of death.
• Future proof yourself against hardship.
• Learn to deal with hard people.
• Developing an inner strength to help you handle life's challenges.
• Live with joy and love.

What to expect at the group?
We will be using the book:

Stoicism And The Art Of Happiness**: Practical Wisdom For Everyday Life
By Donald Robertson.

You don't need to read the book to come but it is encouraged that you buy a copy to help you follow along. Robertson is a psychologist who has distilled the works of Stoicism into an easy to use set of practices that is in alignment with the research of modern psychology.

Agenda:

• Each month there will be a meeting.
• Quick intro of each member.
• 5 to 10 minute introduction to the stoic practice.
• Question and answer period.
• Sharing challenges in our life and how we can apply the practice.
• Hang out for a bit after and socialize.

Values:

• Humor: joking around is encouraged.
• Truth: science is real - it is the best basis we have of objective truth and a shared reality.
• Growth: learning is more important than looking smart.
• Curiosity: exploring ideas is more fun than debate.
• Autonomy: each is free to engage in the practice at the level they see fit.
• Non-dogmatic: each is free to decide which virtues they want to pursue.
• Freedom of religion: each is free to accept teachings in ways that are compatible with their religious beliefs.
• Kindness: tolerance except of intolerance.

In English, the word "stoic" is often used to describe someone without emotion. This adjective is not to be confused with the life philosophy. Stoics are permitted to feel emotions. However different ancient stoic authors had different views on the emotions. Our view is that cultivating temperate emotions is healthy.

Modern Stoicism
Our brand of modern stoicism, like so many others, emphasize a connection to the wisdom of our emotions in concert with rational examination, rather than emotional suppression of "stuffing." We will explore the wisdom of the ancients while enhancing it with modern knowledge from practices such as CBT, meditation, growth mindset, and more.

Members of this group may be affiliated with the group, Philosophical Conversations 2.0 - Beyond Trident.