logo
episode-header-image
Aug 2021
1h 8m

Learning Stoicism: A Systematic Approach...

JON BROOKS
About this episode

Send us a text

I was recently asked to give a Stoicism talk by Peter Limberg on The Stoa.

This episode contains that entire talk.

But before I get into the workshop description…

I just want to give a shout-out to Peter, who hosts regular epic workshops and discussions by fascinating thinkers, for free.

Peter describes The Stoa as follows:

"The Stoa is not a school, think tank, clinic, or commune, and it is definitely not a f*****g YouTube channel. The Stoa is a stewarded daemonic fire—on an obscure hill in the noosphere—serving as a beacon to find the others. It is a surprise, for those who have become weary of the endless pressure to know. It is also a portal, to a new world. A world that you might have stopped believing in, but have always been secretly longing for."
Peter Limberg

In my workshop, I reveal the system I use for both myself and my students in Askesis to learn Stoicism.

Introducing The 4885 System...

Stoicism is quite large, and life is messy. Knowing when to apply Stoicism, how to apply it, and what to focus on is tricky. I call this the complexity problem. 

To overcome that problem, I’ve devised the 4885 System. It’s broken down as follows: 

  • 4 Skill Categories 
  • 8 Critical Skills 
  • 8 Core Principles
  • 5 Learning Methods 


When these are all combined and integrated, Stoicism becomes embodied—and this is the goal… embodied Stoicism. Not just concepts.

The more visually inclined, you can also watch the video here with slides.

Support the show

Resources

Up next
Jun 23
The Complete Daily Stoic Meditation: Repeat Daily (2025)
Send us a textFree SPQR Stoic Reset Kit — 5-min audio + 1-page protocol to stop anxiety spirals fast. → stoichandbook.co/toolkit Resources Stoic Handbook Premium Stoic Anxiety Mastery Stoic Handbook Newsletter 
12m 29s
Jun 4
Stoicism in 3 Minutes: Master Your Emotions with Erick Cloward
Send us a textJoin Erick Cloward, Stoic author and host of The Stoic Coffee Break Podcast, as he shares how Stoicism transformed his approach to emotions and reactivity. In this 3-minute clip, learn practical Stoic wisdom to stay calm and focused in any situation!💡 Key Takeaways ... Show More
5m 5s
May 21
I Am The Pilot, Not The Turbulence — 5-Minute Stoic Reset
Send us a textIn just five minutes, this guided meditation uses a precise 4-2-6 breath and Stoic detachment to separate your calm center from external chaos. By grounding in the body, naming the “turbulence,” and repeating “I am the pilot, not the turbulence,” you’ll instantly re ... Show More
6m 8s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2019
Episode 62, Epictetus: A Guide to Stoicism (Part III. Modern Stoicism)
Imagine you are in an open field which stretches in every direction, further than your eyes can see. Since there is nothing of interest in your immediate surroundings, you set your sights on the horizon. You begin to walk with purpose; long strides eventually break into a run unt ... Show More
51m 6s
Apr 21
Stoic Advice for Handling Setbacks, Insults, and Death | William Irvine
How to boost your psychological immune system, the stoic way. William “Bill” Irvine is the emeritus professor of philosophy at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. He is the author of eight books that have been translated into more than twenty languages, including Guide to th ... Show More
1h 14m
May 14
Stoic Actions for Anxious Minds
This episode explores how anxiety can quietly hold us back from the things that matter most—and how Stoic wisdom offers a path through it.Drawing on insights from Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, we look at how changing our judgments, not just our circumstances, empowers us to act ... Show More
5m 19s
Jul 2019
Episode 62, Epictetus: A Guide to Stoicism (Part IV. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy)
Imagine you are in an open field which stretches in every direction, further than your eyes can see. Since there is nothing of interest in your immediate surroundings, you set your sights on the horizon. You begin to walk with purpose; long strides eventually break into a run unt ... Show More
37m 35s
Feb 2025
We Are All In Debt | Ask Daily Stoic
Debt. It’s a word that carries heavy, negative connotations. But actually, there is a different kind of debt we are less aware of, one that doesn’t drown us but builds us up. Our premium edition of Meditations is crafted to last for generations—making it the perfect keepsake to d ... Show More
19m 7s
Jul 2024
How To Stand Before Kings | Everything You Need To Know About Marcus Aurelius' Meditations
The Stoics didn’t just stand before kings, they came to them as equals and in some cases, towered over them, their virtue putting them above any kind of worldly power. 📕 Pick up a copy of Lives of the Stoics by Ryan Holiday | https://store.dailystoic.com/ 🎥 Watch the YouTube vi ... Show More
14m 55s
Jul 2019
Episode 62, Epictetus: A Guide to Stoicism (Part V. Further Analysis and Discussion)
Imagine you are in an open field which stretches in every direction, further than your eyes can see. Since there is nothing of interest in your immediate surroundings, you set your sights on the horizon. You begin to walk with purpose; long strides eventually break into a run unt ... Show More
58m 3s
Jun 2019
Episode 62, Epictetus: A Guide to Stoicism (Part I. The Context and Life of Epictetus)
Imagine you are in an open field which stretches in every direction, further than your eyes can see. Since there is nothing of interest in your immediate surroundings, you set your sights on the horizon. You begin to walk with purpose; long strides eventually break into a run unt ... Show More
54m 36s
Dec 2024
What Are You Waiting For? | 10 Timeless Meditations From Stoic Philosophy
You are at a crossroads. Make the right call. The Daily Stoic New Year, New You Challenge is 3 weeks of ALL-NEW, actionable challenges, presented in an email per day, built around the best, most timeless wisdom in Stoic philosophy, to help you create a better life, and a new you ... Show More
18m 15s
Dec 2024
The Wisest Man Alive (Yet Not Without Flaws)
Socrates is considered the man who brought philosophy down from the heavens. He made philosophy practical, accessible, urgent, but he was also contradictory, confusing, and complicated. Today's audiobook excerpt is from How to Think Like Socrates: Ancient Philosophy as a Way of L ... Show More
26m 44s