In this episode, I walk through Meditations 3.12, where Marcus Aurelius claims that if we pursue Virtue with sincerity and without distraction, we will live “the blessed life.” But what does that really mean in Stoic terms? We examine what “blessed” refers to (spoiler: it’s Eudaimonia, or inner peace) and ask whether the Stoics pursued Virtue for its own sak ... Show More
Jun 19
Fear of Death? Listen to This (Meditations 4.5)
In this episode, I reflect on Meditations 4.5 and Marcus Aurelius’ effort to habituate acceptance of death as a natural and necessary part of life. Drawing from Marcus' experiences leading Rome through war and plague, I explore how his preoccupation with death wasn’t morbid, but ... Show More
27m 5s
Jul 2
Defending Ourselves Against Our Enemies
In this episode, we look at what Stoicism has to say about resisting the urge for revenge and reclaiming our inner freedom.With help from Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Diogenes, we examine why retaliation degrades us and how self-mastery is a better path to strength. Instead of ... Show More
4m 54s
Jul 2024
Facing Mortality: A Stoic Death Meditation
Send us a textIn this episode, we delve into the profound Stoic philosophy surrounding death. Join us for a guided meditation that will help you confront and accept mortality, diminish the fear of death, and find peace in the natural cycle of life and death.
Learn to focus on wha ... Show More
15m 34s
Jul 2024
3252: Peace Is Your True Nature by Richard Paterson of Think Less and Grow Rich on Meditation
Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com.Episode 3252:Richard Paterson reveals that profound peace is our true nature, accessible through meditation. He explains that by qui ... Show More
11m 3s
Feb 2025
How to Love Yourself in Hard Times ~ Meditation for Self-Compassion
In times of stress, uncertainty and emotional turmoil, self-criticism often takes over, making it difficult to find inner peace. Meditation for self-compassion is a powerful practice that allows us to cultivate kindness, forgiveness and understanding toward ourselves. By integrat ... Show More
12m 18s
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
Mar 2025
How to Cultivate Inner Peace: Lessons from a Former Buddhist Monk with Stephen Schettini
What does it mean to cultivate inner peace, resilience, and wisdom in the modern world? How can we apply the teachings of monastic life to our daily struggles?In this episode of the Mindfulness Exercises Podcast, Sean Fargo sits down with Stephen Schettini, known as The Inner Mon ... Show More
45m 42s
Aug 2024
Gentle Self-Care Meditation for Inner Kindness and Compassion
Self-care is the practice of taking deliberate actions to care for our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. While it’s often associated with activities like exercise, healthy eating, and leisure, self-care extends beyond the physical. It involves nurturing our minds and he ... Show More
11m 42s