Hey guys. Good to see the pair of you collaborating. I picked up Musonius' philosophy recently and it's distilled quite well in this piece! Please write more of these.
I think this may be my favorite post in Substack. Just an observation. Yes, we do need to become unglued from our screens, but if I didn’t spend time on my screen, I wouldn’t have stumbled on Kyle Shepard or this post and my life would be less rich because of it. I wouldn’t know about Epictetus or Musonius Rufus. It’s a struggle to ignore the screen when the time spent can be so valuable.
A toolkit for the modern ages, ancient backed. Another great piece. Good to be introduced to Kyle's substack as well. I look forward to getting your emails now.
This is a lovely way to look at Stoicism for everyday life. Props to you both, Enda & Kyle. Good to see others are interested in Musonius Rufus, an under appreciated Stoic.
I liked this. Two small points that gave me pause:
>“Who do I want to be today?”
I think it should be the opposite. Being arises from doing. Who we are is what we do. Thinking about who we want to be instead of what we want to do can lead us into bad situations. For example, the person who wants to be a musician because it seems really cool but doesn't actually like making music, or the person who wants to be in a relationship but doesn't like spending time with their chosen partner. If we set up guidelines around what behaviors we value, we naturally find ourselves in the state of being that aligns with our values. Taking the reverse approach leaves the details fuzzy and leaves us liable to going against our values as we navigate the details.
>Patience or frustration?
I don't think these should be framed as opposites. Patience *is* frustrating. The key is that frustration doesn't have to be frustrating. Patient endurance of frustration gives us a chance to re-examine how we relate to frustration and thereby (eventually) no longer find frustration frustrating in the same way.
Thanks for sponsoring Enda's writing here, Kyle. And thanks as always for your wise prescriptions, Enda.
We have an obsession with the newest/latest. But the minds that contemplated the human condition centuries ago are (mostly) the exact same minds we have now. So many of their insights, especially the ones we still resonate to today, are battle-tested and sound.
You and your readers might enjoy Jonathan Haidt's book The Happiness Hypothesis that shows how much 'ancient' wisdom has been validated by scientific study:
CBT is very old wine in a shiny new bottle, though the reformulation does make the ideas a bit more clear and actionable for a broad audience, which is a good thing.
Thank you Baird. Great recommendation. I'd second it. The UK edition has a big yellow smiley face on it. Much like Kyle, I'll dig it out again and have a dig through.
Loved this, Enda (and Kyle). On point with what's currently swirling around in my mind regarding digital boundaries, prioritization, and mindful reflection. It's helpful to read about how you frame this intention.
I like how you introduced this post. It really resonated with me and reflects my own ongoing transformation as a longtime armchair spiritual and philosophical explorer to someone who is driving to practice and put it into action. Recently turned 61, so it’s been a long journey! My ultimate goal is to always be a work in progress.
I’ve already been fortunate enough to be aware of Enda and thoroughly enjoy his Substack and writing. It’s actually through him that I was made aware of you and starting to enjoy yours as well.
Thanks for having me over for a guest post, Kyle! A pleasure to write pieces like this and share them with people who seek to improve themselves.
You’re the man Enda. Honored to be able to share your great work.
Hey guys. Good to see the pair of you collaborating. I picked up Musonius' philosophy recently and it's distilled quite well in this piece! Please write more of these.
Thanks Patrick. Means a lot.
Musonius Rufus is my favorite Stoic philosopher. Will do 👊🏻
Great read, and one I really needed today. So, very glad it was waiting in my inbox 🙌
Thank you, and glad to hear this!
❤️👊🏻
Me too!😻🎉☘️
I think this may be my favorite post in Substack. Just an observation. Yes, we do need to become unglued from our screens, but if I didn’t spend time on my screen, I wouldn’t have stumbled on Kyle Shepard or this post and my life would be less rich because of it. I wouldn’t know about Epictetus or Musonius Rufus. It’s a struggle to ignore the screen when the time spent can be so valuable.
❤️👊🏻 Enda is the best
Yes, the reason I like Enda is he doesn’t suggest burpees. Otherwise it’s a close call between you and him.
@Enda Harte (The Irish Stoic) tell this man to do burpees
An excellent piece of writing as always 🖤
A toolkit for the modern ages, ancient backed. Another great piece. Good to be introduced to Kyle's substack as well. I look forward to getting your emails now.
Cheers Ruari. A good Substack to be a member of for sure.
Ancient-backed. Love that!
Well said! And thanks for making me aware of Enda Harte.
❤️👊🏻
Great read thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is a lovely way to look at Stoicism for everyday life. Props to you both, Enda & Kyle. Good to see others are interested in Musonius Rufus, an under appreciated Stoic.
My personal favorite Stoic is Musonius. Thanks brother
I liked this. Two small points that gave me pause:
>“Who do I want to be today?”
I think it should be the opposite. Being arises from doing. Who we are is what we do. Thinking about who we want to be instead of what we want to do can lead us into bad situations. For example, the person who wants to be a musician because it seems really cool but doesn't actually like making music, or the person who wants to be in a relationship but doesn't like spending time with their chosen partner. If we set up guidelines around what behaviors we value, we naturally find ourselves in the state of being that aligns with our values. Taking the reverse approach leaves the details fuzzy and leaves us liable to going against our values as we navigate the details.
>Patience or frustration?
I don't think these should be framed as opposites. Patience *is* frustrating. The key is that frustration doesn't have to be frustrating. Patient endurance of frustration gives us a chance to re-examine how we relate to frustration and thereby (eventually) no longer find frustration frustrating in the same way.
Thanks for reading Otto. I appreciate your take on these points as well.
Brilliance in the basics. Great piece, Enda. Thanks for sharing, Kyle.
My Substack brothers. Thanks for your continued support, and reading my work.
Enda is the man
Thanks for sponsoring Enda's writing here, Kyle. And thanks as always for your wise prescriptions, Enda.
We have an obsession with the newest/latest. But the minds that contemplated the human condition centuries ago are (mostly) the exact same minds we have now. So many of their insights, especially the ones we still resonate to today, are battle-tested and sound.
You and your readers might enjoy Jonathan Haidt's book The Happiness Hypothesis that shows how much 'ancient' wisdom has been validated by scientific study:
https://www.happinesshypothesis.com/
CBT is very old wine in a shiny new bottle, though the reformulation does make the ideas a bit more clear and actionable for a broad audience, which is a good thing.
Thank you Baird. Great recommendation. I'd second it. The UK edition has a big yellow smiley face on it. Much like Kyle, I'll dig it out again and have a dig through.
Beautiful Baird. I have the happiness hypothesis on my shelf but haven’t read yet. Appreciate you
Loved this, Enda (and Kyle). On point with what's currently swirling around in my mind regarding digital boundaries, prioritization, and mindful reflection. It's helpful to read about how you frame this intention.
Thanks Jesse, much appreciated!
❤️👊🏻
I like how you introduced this post. It really resonated with me and reflects my own ongoing transformation as a longtime armchair spiritual and philosophical explorer to someone who is driving to practice and put it into action. Recently turned 61, so it’s been a long journey! My ultimate goal is to always be a work in progress.
I’ve already been fortunate enough to be aware of Enda and thoroughly enjoy his Substack and writing. It’s actually through him that I was made aware of you and starting to enjoy yours as well.
Thank you
Love it Charles. Looking forward to connecting with you more!
Thanks as always Charles. Wishing you the best.