Stoic Week Starts Nov 24th!

Stoic Week begins next Monday, so here's what you need to do to prepare.

Wait. Why should you even participate in Stoic Week? Ok, I'll bite. Here are three reasons.

One: Stoic Week is testable.

As part of Stoic Week, all participants are asked to take a series of well being/attitude tests at the beginning and end of the week. I know, tests aren't everyone's idea of fun. But how many philosophies, religions, self-help practices, etc... do you know that hold themselves up to this sort of scrutiny? The Stoic Week organizers actually want to know if they did you any good and what, if anything, specifically did that good. I believe that is pretty cool.

Two: Stoic Week is a week.

I mean, come on, you can practice Stoicism for a week. I've reviewed this year's Handbook for the event and it is seriously well designed. In one week you will have a very good sense of what Stoicism has to offer. Why not join the party for a week? We've been helping people thrive since 300 B.C.E.!

Three: You're reading this blog.

Don't let me be the only voice of Stoicism in your life. I'm immoderate, for Zeus's sake! I mean, I'm doing my best here but the Stoic Week organizers are pros. We can all grow our perspective of Stoicism together.

Ok. So what to do to prepare.

1. Sign up for the online class.
2. Fill out the questionnaires.
3. Download the 2014 Handbook and read a bit about Stoicism and this week's event.
4. Find some place to talk about your experiences. You can always join the Stoicism Group on Facebook, or talk to me on my Page.

So that's it. Go get ready.

Painted Porch with William Irvine

Episode 4 of Painted Porch is jam packed. There's an interview with William Irvine, author of A Guide to the Good Life. We talk about selective renunciation, the Stoic approach to illness, and even suicide. All of this with guest host Tanner Campbell from Epictetus is My Therapist.

If you've been enjoying this project, please be sure to write a review on iTunes. That's how we'll grow our community!

Painted Porch on iTunes 

An Article for Stoicism Today

The blog, Stoicism Today, recently ran an article I wrote titled, The Stoic Love of Community. This piece was written specifically for their site, so if you'd like to read it, follow the link above. As the title suggests, I wrote about the Stoic insistence that we are social beings meant to love and support all people, everywhere.

“No school has more goodness and gentleness; none has more love for human beings, nor more attention to the common good. The goal which it assigns to us is to be useful, to help others, and to take care, not only of ourselves, but of everyone in general and of each one in particular.”

— Seneca, On Clemency 3.3