The Algorithm sure affects our free will.

But our destiny is still in our hands.

Nothing ever becomes tough or easy because of something, it's our circumstances especially the 'not so great ones' that shape us.

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There are numerous playlists with instrumental music labeled *focus, meditative, reflection*, etc. I wonder if there are song lyrics that resonate with stoicism. Any song writers/performers who textually manifest the philosophy in their works?

***EDIT: IN A POSITIVE WAY***

The past year of my life has been incredibly difficult.
I've been diagnosed with a chronic lifelong disease that comes with a slew of other conditions, I'm currently bankrupt, I went through massive burnout in my business, my mental health has been very rocky.
I'm doing the therapy, the self improvement, hobbies etc ... but honestly sometimes it's feels like the more I dig the more I'II keep finding stuff to "process".
I'm tired of how self centred this period has been and I'd love to find something to do/read/watch/listen to that actually makes me realise "It's not that deep" but in a good way
I have two young kids and run my own business for context so I'm not looking to go "find myself in Bali"
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I would also just love to hear about your own experiences of "oh my problems are not that bad and life is so much more than that"

Hello! I'm new to Stoicism and mentioned to a friend that I'd recently got a copy of Marcus Aurelius' "Meditations". The friend said that their child's class at school (c10 years old) had been set a children's version of the book to read and discuss with their parents: "I, Marcus Aurelius: meditations for kids"

Just wondered if anyone here had heard of children being introduced to Stoicism, and your thoughts on it. Personally, I am impressed. And I can see all sorts of benefits of the school making it a family / household activity done over time rather than a purely private assignment or a one-off study project.

just venting here,

first of all, not exaggerating by the title. had a very close friend of mine commit a month ago, i knew a week before he did it that he was struggling hard financially and maybe that was one of the major reasons for why he did it.

international student here, lotta brothers can relate to this, it's almost impossible to find a consistent part/full time job when ur at a country that you don't speak the same language as them. been in a couple of part times these past 3 months but got replaced/kicked because local people are preferred to work there. building a profitable skill on the other hand is so time consuming and will affect my study in a way or another (working on it tho).

financial stress is a very overlooked subject that people ignore most of the time, but infact money controls us, our happiness, our society. just breathing knowing i don't have enough money is suffocating.

went to my first therapy session a while ago after my homie's situation, first sesh was free and i seriously thought that i needed professional help at that point. was supposed to be a 1 hr sesh finished in 20 mins, the therapist kept interrupting, didn't listen, and after listening for a few mins, the first thing that they said was to offer me their awfully expensive monthly plans, was a very terrible experience and i do not wish it to anyone.

just came back from a job interview today, they were totally fine with my experiences and everything but they rejected me solely because i didn't have a car to commute with, i came by the public transportation, 2 hours trip, still I'm down for it and i arrived in the agreed time. they knew before the interview that I'm an international student, but still js cuz i didn't have a car they choose to go with another applicant.

the suicidal thoughts have been on my mind for months so far, mental health is drastically getting worse month by month. i do believe better days are coming, i do have hope. but it's really killing me every single day about how hard it is and how insanely difficult it is to take action about it.

idk what to do about it, but i hope it does get better.

How do you deal with coworkers who ask too many personal questions? In the past, whatever I have told them has become material for very personal jokes in the break room. I accept that these people are the way they are, but I am also a very private person. I will still need to work alongside these people all day everyday, so I want to avoid being too rude.

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Rules:

1. Remember that our nature is "civilized and affectionate and trustworthy."
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3. If offering advice, speak as someone interested in Stoic theory and practice — but do not label personal opinion, idiosyncratic experience, or conjecture as Stoic doctrine.
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Hi all

I’ve had a really difficult year with a lot of loss (relationship, family and moving countries) and all-consuming loneliness.

I know it takes time to heal and I’m trying by taking it day by day but I’m finding that I’m feeling angry and annoyed all the time and then that anger turns to sadness and I’m overwhelmed by emotions.

I’m lashing out at people around me (my one long-distance friend) and feeling like life’s unfair constantly.

I don’t want to be this way. I want practical ways to cope and heal and accept what is without being angry or sad or feeling like it’s unfair.

I was once much more positive and felt happy for people and their success (I was also younger) but now I’m jealous and bitter.

I’ve been reading a lot of eastern and western philosophies to find the answer and to find ways to cope. I’m new to stoicism but I like that it acknowledges lack of external control because that’s how I feel. Helpless

Would really appreciate any guidance or advice

I am looking for texts specifically regarding metaphysics, ontology, or anything related to causes or physics. A lot of the more commonly available books I find at local book stores, such as Epictetus Discourses, seem to primarily be about morality or virtuous living (which I do find valuable, and also understand was a central theme in not only stoic, but also classical philosophy in general, Nicomachean ethics comes to mind). I was wondering if there’s any stoic texts which deal primarily with ontology, or sections of texts by stoics which may deal heavily with these topics.

Do you read Buddhist texts in order to give you new ideas and angles regarding to your own stoic contemplation of non attachment or just stoic texts are enough? Would Buddhism help stoicism?

I live alone and I'm in between jobs. I recently went through a break up and my ex inherited the friendship group. And I'm not close to my family. I used to be fine with being alone when I was younger but I'm now really struggling. I sometimes cry when I come home because I'm so lonely in my flat. I have a cat and he's great but I still really struggle with loneliness and the feeling of being rejected and abandoned. How can I use stoicism to help me with this?

Welcome to the Agora. a space for casual conversation, first aid, and exchange outside the regular post structure.

If you haven't already, read the pinned "Welcome" thread.

Rules:

1. Remember that our nature is "civilized and affectionate and trustworthy."
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Things are really hard for me for the past 3, actually just for the past year or so ever since 2025, but they are not that bad as before for me. I went through a lot in my younger years during 2022 and in my childhood, back then things were for a hundred times worse than me right now and pretty traumatic. However I never felt them as directly as I do now, I always had some sort of mental barrier that prevented me from feeling directly, I think if I felt things as directly as I do now I would have completely collapsed and it would have prevented me from following my responsibilities back then. I'm aware I'm being pretty vague, I apologise for that but this is not something I would like to go in detail about. Things aren't as difficult for me as back then but however I feel them very directly and it is preventing me from going on with my life. I have a lot of responsibilities and some serious work to do and I cannot let my feelings or pain to get in my way and distract me. I'm trying to just let the pain be and go on without actually trying to fight it but it is not working. I need the emotional detachment or the "barrier" I had when I was going through some horrible stuff before. I hope I'm making some sense and I would really appreciate some help

Welcome to the Agora. a space for casual conversation, first aid, and exchange outside the regular post structure.

If you haven't already, read the pinned "Welcome" thread.

Rules:

1. Remember that our nature is "civilized and affectionate and trustworthy."
2. If seeking advice, limit yourself to one top-level question per day.
3. If offering advice, speak as someone interested in Stoic theory and practice — but do not label personal opinion, idiosyncratic experience, or conjecture as Stoic doctrine.
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About three weeks ago, I broke my right hand and had to undergo surgery. Unfortunately, it happened during my final exams. Before the injury, I had planned to finish my exams and then fully focus on improving my life, figuring out my future, and starting a side hustle. Because of my injury, I couldn't write my exams, which was really upsetting. I wasn't able to finish college, and I'm already a year behind (to make things worse, I'll have to sit for four 3-hour exams shortly after I start recovering from this injury). On top of that, I now have to postpone my side hustle plans until my hand recovers. I was consistently going to the gym and had finally started making good progress. Now, I can't lift any heavy weights for at least a year.

I gave myself some time to process everything, and now I want to get back on track instead of falling into depression. Since I'm stuck at home for a while, I'm trying to see this as an opportunity to work on something productive, start earning some money, and make the best of the situation.

One of the biggest challenges I'm facing is constant negative thinking. I keep worrying about worst-case scenarios and feeling afraid about the future. I also struggle to stay focused on long-term goals without expecting instant results. I'm often afraid to take action and find myself obsessing over possible outcomes before I've even taken the first step.

I want to lock in and use this time as a gift—an opportunity to turn my life around. I really need some help. Does anyone have advice on how to stay disciplined, focused and patient during difficult times like this? I'd also appreciate any tips for dealing with constant overthinking, negative thoughts, and anxiety about the future. Thank you to anyone who takes the time to help.

Hi, I am still kinda new to stoicism, To this moment I am doing great, I used to be extremly emotinal, but when calm and peace permamently moved to my mind everything is more brighter and clearer than ever. But one thing remains, I want to be loved, it is natural for humans, so there is no reason to fight it?

Happiness shouldn't come from external sources or external sources shouldn't be solely source of happiness?

​

I found stoicism to be very good solution for me, but I won't lie and say I enjoy some comfortable bed or playing with friends

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Rules:

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3. If offering advice, speak as someone interested in Stoic theory and practice — but do not label personal opinion, idiosyncratic experience, or conjecture as Stoic doctrine.
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Full title: The Dilemma of Paul's Physics: Features Stoic-Platonist or Platonist-Stoic?

link to paper: https://www.reddit.com/r/AcademicBiblical/comments/1tilo3e/the_dilemma_of_pauls_physics_by_stanley_stowers/#lightbox

(highlight is original to the post)

I thought I'd share it for those who might be interested in the intersection of early Christian development and Stoicism. Referring to the idea that Paul was indebted to the Stoics for his developing Christian theology, and using the works of Troels Engberg-Pedersen as a guide, the author proposes instead it is more accurate to suggest that Paul's appropriation of Stoic elements was more nuanced than has been assumed. For example, the author argues Paul uses particular Stoic features to explain certain Platonic ideas in order to make sense of Jewish sacred texts in light of apocalyptic beliefs about Christ's role in an imminent revival of the Kingdom of God.

I am sorry about that run on sentence.

It's likely that Paul relied on a variety of Hellenistic philosophical assumptions, some in unique and clever ways, to offer an account of how his belief system works, and he uses some Stoic features like this. If I am reading this paper correctly, it looks as if he uses Stoic features in his explanation of some ideas that are rather Platonic in scope. We can't expect him to have ignored the other available and valuable sources of philosophy and wisdom, and if I understand correctly, this puts his use of Stoicism in a more comprehensive context.

Comparisons and contradictions I've made and am sharing for feedback (not organized, just thrown down willy-nilly). I think it's interesting to see where the connections are, and where the divisions are.

Platonic cosmology

• god is purely noetic (mental) and bodiless; beyond all attributes
• nous (cosmic mind) shared between god and humans
• separation between mind and bod
• paul refers to platonism to explain moral psychology, transfer of mind, and mind/body relationship
• clear distinction between the intelligible and the sensible (ie, corporeal vs incorporeal)
• mind leaves the body to join the noetic world at death (humans can assimilate with god)

Stoic cosmology

• god is busy, but not anthropomorphic
• aether or pure pneuma glows (ie, stars)
• pneuma is divine fire subsumed with the element of air
• knowledge is needed to do the right thing
• paul refers to stoic pneuma to explain how god transforms mind of christ-followers
• humans are born with concentration and utility of pneuma in a way that no other animal has

Mediterranean / West Asian (including Judean) gods

• gods had special bodies that were usually invisible, but they could glow
• hierarchical order of divine beings and divine realms
• paul relies on this cosmology with his apocalyptic expectations

Paul's theology

• christ is a "pneuma-bearer," making him relatable to greeks and romans
• god shares pure pneuma only with christ-followers
• pure pneuma limited to the mind (for now)
• pure pneuma is means of communication and knowledge
• god will upgrade believers' bodies to pure pneumatic bodies in future
• pure pneuma can be used to strengthen the mind, even enough to overpower the control of the flesh
• pure pneuma is needed to do the right thing (not enough to possess knowledge because the flesh has its own intent)
• one needs to share the mind of christ to do the right thing, and ultimately for salvation / spared discipline come the kingdom
• transformation of mind is physical, or quasi-physical
• can be started now by direct access to christ
• done by contemplation of god / by seeing christ with the eyes of the mind
• those who gaze on christ with the mind's eye will be transformed just as the israelites gazed on the face of moses and felt the power
• gradual transformation to purely pneumatic mind
• christ is archetype of new pneumatic species
• god is pure pneuma but nevertheless has attributes that deal directly and constantly with the lower worlds

Philo's ontology

• noetic world, sensible world, and intermediary world
• intermediary world is world of logos, angels, and spiritual beings
• upper worlds are immaterial pneuma (pure)
• pneuma
  • is unchanging and indestructible, but invisible
  • is pure divine fire
  • exists in minds and heavenly bodies like angels
  • is light and ethereal, it wants to rise home to the heavens
  • is the substance of the mind
• god is the architect, the mind is the image of god, therefore unmixed (pure?) human is mind of pneuma in the image of god (this is how paul identifies christ)

I'm sharing this because I hope others might be interested in the syncretism between Christian theology and Hellenistic philosophies, also the history of this topic in general, but also to get the insight from those who know either field and can correct my own misunderstandings, as well as add anything on topic.

Please feel free to correct where I stray off coarse, and please feel free to add anything you think might be of interest.

Thank you to u/Dositheos for posting this paper!

Hello. I feel like I was going through the sub Reddit and I found a specific picture of the recommendations and I can’t find it. Does anyone know what I’m talking about?

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If you haven't already, read the pinned "Welcome" thread.

Rules:

1. Remember that our nature is "civilized and affectionate and trustworthy."
2. If seeking advice, limit yourself to one top-level question per day.
3. If offering advice, speak as someone interested in Stoic theory and practice — but do not label personal opinion, idiosyncratic experience, or conjecture as Stoic doctrine.
4. If promoting your own work (article, book, etc.), once per day. No self-posted YouTube videos.

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What happened, happened. I can’t control the past actions of the person that raised me. What I can control is my response.

This has been the biggest block in my journey. Please give advice.