Stoicism
An ancient Greek philosophy designed to make us resilient, happy, virtuous, and wise.
History & Origins
Founded in Athens by Zeno of Citium in the early 3rd century BCE, Stoicism flourished throughout the Roman and Greek world. Famous practitioners include the slave Epictetus, the statesman Seneca, and the Emperor Marcus Aurelius.
The Stoics believed that the path to Eudaimonia (happiness) is found in accepting the moment as it presents itself, by not allowing oneself to be controlled by the desire for pleasure or fear of pain.
They taught that we cannot control external events, only our internal reactions to them. This 'dichotomy of control' is the central pillar of their psychological resilience training.
Influence on Modern Mindfulness
Stoicism is the philosophical ancestor of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Its reframing techniques directly parallel modern cognitive reappraisal strategies used for anxiety and emotional regulation.