stoicism

Today's guest is Donald Robertson, renowned expert on stoicism.

I was looking forward to this chat for a long time, and it does not disappoint. Stoics are mainly concerned with their wisdom and their character, and therefore process events that happen to them according to the effect of the event on their wisdom and character, first and foremost. This is an extremely powerful tool for dealing with life's hardships, including the pandemic.

Donald is a writer, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist and trainer.  He’s a specialist in teaching evidence-based psychological skills, and known as an expert on the relationship between modern psychotherapy (CBT) and classical Greek and Roman philosophy. His therapy practice specialized for many years in helping clients with social anxiety and self-confidence issues. He is also the author of six books and many articles on philosophy, psychotherapy, and psychological skills training. His latest book How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius was #1 best seller in philosophy, and he's also edited and written the introduction to Capstone Classics' new edition of The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius.

In Part 2, we discuss:

• What happens if you imagine the presence of things that are lacking? Pain
• What happens if you imagine the lack of things that are present? Gratitude
• Rather than thinking you have things, consider they're on loan from nature
• Exhibit empathy without agreeing, as therapists do
• The fourth thought of wisdom: don't stress, think clearly and solve the problem
• Anger is not a feeling, it's a way of perceiving life
• "The universe is change, and life is opinion."
• Is stoicism a religion?
• Moral virtue, and the ancient thought that it was inherited rather than learnable
• Which is better, death or living?
• The Apology of Socrates
• How all experiences are opportunities to contemplate
• Life is good if we use it well, and bad if we exploit it
• Socrates's sacrifice for truth, virtue and wisdom

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Connect with Donald Robertson on Instagram @howtothinklikearomanemperor, Facebook @robertsontraining, on Twitter @DonJRobertson, and on his website, donaldrobertson.name

Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Sunday and Thursday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy.

YouTube: @mogawdatofficial
Instagram: @mo_gawdat
Facebook: @mo.gawdat.official
LinkedIn: /in/mogawdat
X: @mgawdat
Website: mogawdat.com

Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Saturday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy

Today's guest is Donald Robertson, renowned expert on stoicism.

I was looking forward to this chat for a long time, and it does not disappoint. Stoics are mainly concerned with their wisdom and their character, and therefore process events that happen to them according to the effect of the event on their wisdom and character, first and foremost. This is an extremely powerful tool for dealing with life's hardships, including the pandemic.

Donald is a writer, cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist and trainer.  He’s a specialist in teaching evidence-based psychological skills, and known as an expert on the relationship between modern psychotherapy (CBT) and classical Greek and Roman philosophy. His therapy practice specialized for many years in helping clients with social anxiety and self-confidence issues. He is also the author of six books and many articles on philosophy, psychotherapy, and psychological skills training. His latest book How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius was #1 best seller in philosophy, and he's also edited and written the introduction to Capstone Classics' new edition of The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius.

In Part 1, we discuss:

• What is stoicism?
• How stoicism deals with anger and our blind spots
• Do people do wrong because they're fundamentally bad?
• Moral blindness is a more severe disability than physical blindness
• Rehab and reform those who wrong vs. punishing them
• Lies of omission
• The ideal stoic: someone mainly concerned about their wisdom or character
• How stoicism is growing in popularity, especially during the pandemic
• How Greek tragedies would have been very different with wiser characters
• How blessings can be a curse and curses can be a blessing
• Is venting emotions healthy, or should we not let them bother us?
• The difference between grief and pathological depression
• There's nothing anger can do that can't be done better with love and compassion
• Cognitive distancing and the ability to consider multiple perspectives
• The four thoughts of wisdom

Instagram: @mo_gawdat
Facebook: @mo.gawdat.official
Twitter: @mgawdat
LinkedIn: /in/mogawdat

Connect with Donald Robertson on Instagram @howtothinklikearomanemperor, Facebook @robertsontraining, on Twitter @DonJRobertson, and on his website, donaldrobertson.name

Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Sunday and Thursday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy.

YouTube: @mogawdatofficial
Instagram: @mo_gawdat
Facebook: @mo.gawdat.official
LinkedIn: /in/mogawdat
X: @mgawdat
Website: mogawdat.com

Don't forget to subscribe to Slo Mo for new episodes every Saturday. Only with your help can we reach One Billion Happy #onebillionhappy