34: On Seneca’s Letters to Lucilius #41

In this episode, we continue to look at what Seneca has to say to his friend Lucillius about Providence. He says here that excellence cannot be arrived at without struggle and adversity.

In this episode, we introduce and present the central question behind Seneca’s On Providence, the theodicy question. “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

In this episode, I respond to Steve, a faithful listener from India, and then talk about upcoming episodes.

In this episode, we take a look at one of Marcus Aurelius master Stoic principles: embracing your lot in life as the ground and path for growth in virtue.

In this episode, I chat with Michael McGill. He’s a fellow Stoic I’ve met on Twitter. He shares with me how he came to learn about and practice Stoicism. He gives excellent advice to both new and mature practitioners. He has an excellent newsletter where you can keep up with his latest thoughts, resources, and insights. Sign up here: http://www.michaeldmcgill.com/newsletter/

In this episode, I read and talk about Meditations 7.57, where Marcus Aurelius reminds us to embrace all our experiences as uniquely suited to us. This is a Stoic master principle for all who seek to live the virtuous life.

In this episode, Ben and I talk (amongst other things) about daily Stoic practice, Quakers and ancient philosophy, the freedom of the will (and grace), Stoics and the irrational and much more besides!

Marcus Aurelius reminds us to accept our lot in life, to deal justly with the people in our lives, and to closely monitor our thoughts so that we can live according to nature.

Seneca reminds us that we are rational animals. Virtue is the only good pursuing.

In this episode I read Meditations 2.2 and make some brief comments.