This article will serve as the basis for a simple, and practical, guide to intermingling the ancient philosophy of Stoicism – of which Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy, and its successor Cognitive Behavioral Therapy are, in part, based on – and Recovery from Addiction.
Why is Stoicism the best ethical system to follow?
A question asked in our closed Stoic Recovery Facebook discussion group. Because it is naturalistic, founded in physical realities, scientific and social. It puts "morality" back where it should it be, grounded in the relationships between humans and their environment, not in the commands of transcendent beings, logically deduced axioms or cold-hearted calculation of benefits. … Continue reading Why is Stoicism the best ethical system to follow?
The Invisible Cycle of Hades
A guest post by our friend and member Donavan Gerken: One issue that I’ve always battled is the nuisance of anxiety. It is always there, pushing my thoughts to the negative, and imbedding me with fear. Alcohol was my only resolve, yet alcohol exasperated the anxiety ten-fold, day in and day out, thus the invisible … Continue reading The Invisible Cycle of Hades
Seneca: On the Happy Life
Reason – living in accordance with our nature, is the embodiment of excellence. Free exercise of wisdom, self-discipline, courage, and justice will bring us to a state of eudaimonia; or a truly good, fulfilling, and flourishing life; and by extension, true happiness. Unlike momentary pleasure, this happiness can not be taken from us.
12 Stoic Steps
Step 2: We come to understand that the perfection of moral excellence (ie., wisdom, self-discipline, courage, and justice) can transform our lives, allow us to regain our sanity, and our place as productive members of society.
What stands in the way becomes the way
Before recovering, I had first to accept that I couldn’t change the things I had done in my past or undo any of the damage to my relationships. The only thing I could control was the choices I made in that present moment and into the future.
Stoicism and Emotion, III: vigor and responsibility — How to Be a Stoic
There is a sense in which emotions are something that happens to us regardless, or indeed in spite of, our will. As Margaret Graver reminds us in the third chapter of her Stoicism and Emotion, this idea of passivity is embedded in the very word the Ancient Greeks used to refer to emotions: pathos, the […] … Continue reading Stoicism and Emotion, III: vigor and responsibility — How to Be a Stoic
Stoicism and Emotion, II: the “pathetic” syllogism
via Stoicism and Emotion, II: the “pathetic” syllogism
Stoicism and Emotion, I: a science of the mind — How to Be a Stoic
If there is one complex, and often misunderstood, topic in Stoicism is the role played by emotions in the philosophy. You know, stiff upper lip and all that nonsense. That is why I decided to begin a multi-part series devoted to an extended commentary of Margaret Graver’s excellent book, Stoicism and Emotion. Margaret was the […] … Continue reading Stoicism and Emotion, I: a science of the mind — How to Be a Stoic
How do you know you are an addict?
How do you know if you are an addict? A quick test from Gabor Maté: "Any passion can become an addiction; but then how to distinguish between the two? The central question is: who’s in charge, the individual or their behaviour? It’s possible to rule a passion, but an obsessive passion that a person is … Continue reading How do you know you are an addict?
Stoic Recovery From Addiction 
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