We are all trying to become a sage, but who is a sage? According to Seneca: The Sage is rare, showing up perhaps once every 500 years (42.1). They, like everyone else will experience impressions and emotions when things outside their power occur, but they can then apply reason to the situation and act appropriately (57). The sage relies on herself for happiness, a happiness that comes from within not from externals (72)He carries his goods within him (9) Is content with virtue alone but is happy to have possessions and friends. (66) He enjoys friendship for the sake of serving his friends not as a means to gain anything (3) a sage is different. He is kind to friends, restrained toward enemies, his political and personal business is carried out with scrupulous devotion, willing to suffer long where endurance is needed and not lacking in prudence when action is taken. Besides he is always the same, consistent in all actions sound in judgment and trained by habit that he not only can act rightly but can’t help but act rightly. We have formed a concept that a man of such perfect virtue exists. (120) Accepts the loss of friends and family with same spirit that he awaits his own loss, the underlying principle of virtue is conformity (74) The sage is wise, but not all knowing, he will therefore spend time with other wise people who they may share knowledge with(109) Accepts the loss of friends and family with same spirit that he awaits his own loss, the underlying principle of virtue is conformity (74) The sage acts rightly in all situations without second guessing himself (95) The sage regards the reasons for his actions not the results of the actions (14) Is not thrust out of life by death but is ready and goes willingly He will live as long as he ought, not as long as he can (70) Is ready from attacks on all fronts, he is fortified against attack of poverty, sorrow, disgrace or pain ( Is content with virtue alone but is happy to have possessions and friends. (66) Is not over enamored with the gifts of fortune (72) He will lay them aside while the rest of us snatch up these gifts like dogs catching a piece of meat

Living well comes down to moment to moment decisions. A lifetime of good decisions and good actions leads to a well lived life. Living well is a skill, but how do we develop the skills required to become a sage?

This week we remember Dr. Kevin Vost. A Stoic, Catholic, Author and promoter of the use of memory. He is gone but will not soon be forgotten. This weeks episode is a re-release of my first interview with Dr. Vost where we discuss his book "The Porch and The Cross". https://www.amazon.com/Porch-Cross-Ancient-Wisdom-Christian/dp/1621381706

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are widely available in our supermarkets. When would a Stoic consider growing GMO's? This is a audio version of an essay that I wrote for the College of Stoic Philosophers. To read the article please go to https://ejournal.collegeofstoicphilosophers.org/eJournal42.pdf

In this epside I review of the Marcus Aurelius Program and discuss possible future podcasts. for more information on the Marcus Aurelius Program and the College of Stoic Philosphers visit https://collegeofstoicphilosophers.org/map/

Happy Saturnalia all! In honor of the holiday season I took a few minutes today to play my old acoustic cigar box guitar.

On this, the final episode of the Sunday Stoic Podcast, we reflect on making progress as Stoic practitioners. The readings this week are. Seneca Moral Letters #69 Epictetus Discourses: Book 2 #19 Meditations Book 2 #4 Thanks all for a great five years! Carpe Diem! The archive of all episodes can be found on YouTube or https://archive.org/details/220-philosophy-the-guide-of-life-wi

Duty is virtue put into action. This week we hear from the three late great Stoics as they discuss our duty as pursuers of virtue. Readings: Seneca Of Leisure 3 Meditations 6.39 Discourses 3.2.4

As a follow-up installment, guest contributor Jayce Basques expands on his discussion with Aaron Prim. Some things never change; other things need to change to be better understood.

Guest contributor Jayce Basques and his longtime friend and collaborator, Aaron Prim, have spent the last two years reading, implementing and interpreting a passage a week. The two refer to the original text to truly understand what was at the heart of Marcus Aurelius's "Notes to Self." What follows today is a discussion about music, meaning and lessons learned along the way.

This week Donald Robertson joins the podcast to discuss his new graphic novel Verissimus. This graphic novel follows the life and philosophy of Marcus Aurelius. We discuss the writing process, the life of Marcus Aurelius and Donald's new project Plato's Academy Center. https://platosacademy.org/ For more information visit https://donaldrobertson.name/

Al from Scotland guest hosts this week to discuss using our rationality while we still have it!

This week we wrap up book 10 of the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius. We learn 1. To keep good sayings handy 2. To accept what fate has in store 3. That death is no bad thing 4. Judge others (and ourselves) by our intentions 5. To cultivate our minds

Ryan Racine joins the show to discuss his new book: The Stoic Teacher Ancient Mind Hacks to Help Educators Foster Resiliency, Optimism, and Inner Calm. We discuss the challenges and rewards of teaching, techniques to become a more resilient teacher and how to find and become a mentor.

We've made it to 1000,000 downloads! Thanks everyone! This week Marcus writes about 3 major topics. 1. People just like you once existed, lived their lives and are now gone. Seize the day! 2. People may say you are untrustworthy. Make sure they are lying! 3. Make use of what ever happens and use it to your advantage.

Journey's can take two forms. You can wander aimlessly and see where you end up or you can travel toward a particular destination. To ensure a well-lived life we should have a certain life-long destination in mind and we can then design the life we want to live to reach that destination. This is the essence of backward design.

This is my second try on this episode as the first had audio issues! This week Marcus reflects on three things 1. Accepting reality as it is 2. Acknowledging that death won't be depriving him of much 3. Learning to control his annoyance and anger with others. Don't forget you can get the edited version of last weeks show on Spreaker https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-sunday-stoic

This week Marcus Aurelius reminds himself to stand firm and do his duty, to stand in awe of the Cosmos and to be content with the time he had on this Earth. We can endeavor to do the same!

Who controls you, is it your brain or your desires and aversions?

In this episode we'll talk about re-enchantment through night language vs. day language, travel and returning to our principles!