The Stoic Simple Blog

Ancient wisdom never goes out of style. Two philosophies that have stood the test of time are Stoicism and Zen Buddhism. While they come from different parts of the world, these ways of thinking share surprising similarities.

Stoicism emerged in ancient Greece around 300 BCE. It teaches that the path to happiness is found in accepting what we can’t change. Zen Buddhism arose in China during the 6th century CE. It emphasizes mindfulness and seeing things as they truly are.

Both philosophies focus on the present moment. They encourage people to let go of worries about the past or future. This approach helps reduce anxiety and stress.

Self-control is key in Stoicism and Zen. Both teach that we can’t always control what happens to us, but we can control our reactions. By mastering our emotions, we gain inner peace.

Simplicity is valued in both schools of thought. They advise against getting caught up in material possessions or status. Instead, they promote finding contentment with what we have.

Wisdom comes through self-reflection in Stoicism and Zen. Both encourage looking inward to understand ourselves better. This leads to greater awareness and personal growth.

Acceptance plays a big role in these philosophies. They teach us to accept things as they are rather than fighting reality. This doesn’t mean giving up, but rather working with what is.

Stoics and Zen practitioners alike aim to see things clearly. They try to strip away biases and preconceptions. The goal is to perceive the world as it really is.

Both philosophies view difficult situations as opportunities for growth. Challenges aren’t seen as problems, but as chances to practice virtues like patience and courage.

Detachment from outcomes is another shared idea. Stoics and Zen Buddhists focus on doing their best without obsessing over results. This reduces disappointment and anxiety.

Nature holds an important place in both traditions. They see humans as part of the natural world, not separate from it. This perspective fosters a sense of connection and harmony.

Mindfulness is central to Zen and has parallels in Stoicism. Both encourage being fully present and aware in each moment. This practice leads to greater clarity and calm.

Ethical behavior is emphasized by Stoics and Zen Buddhists. They believe in living virtuously and treating others with kindness. This focus on ethics guides their actions.

While Stoicism and Zen Buddhism developed independently, their similarities are striking. Both offer practical ways to find peace and meaning in life. By embracing the present, practicing self-control, and seeking wisdom, followers of either philosophy can lead more balanced lives.

Stoicism and the Law of Attraction might seem similar at first. They’re both popular philosophies that claim to improve your life. But that’s where the similarities end.

Stoic philosophy is an ancient Greek school of thought. It teaches people to focus on what they can control. The Law of Attraction and “manifesting” are New Age ideas. They suggest that positive thinking attracts positive outcomes.

These two approaches couldn’t be more different! Stoicism emphasizes accepting reality as it is. The Law of Attraction encourages visualizing your desired reality.

Stoics believe in working hard and preparing for setbacks. They don’t think wishful thinking changes anything. Instead, they focus on developing inner strength.

The Law of Attraction takes a different view. It claims your thoughts directly shape external events. Believers say positive vibes attract good fortune. Negative thoughts supposedly bring bad luck.

This idea contradicts Stoic principles. Stoics argue that external events are often beyond our control. They say we should concentrate on our reactions to those events.

Epictetus, a famous Stoic, put it this way: “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” This view contrasts sharply with the Law of Attraction’s claims.

Stoicism promotes emotional resilience. It teaches people to stay calm in tough situations. The Law of Attraction doesn’t address this skill. It assumes positive thinking alone solves problems.

Another key difference lies in their approaches to negative emotions. Stoics see these feelings as natural. They aim to understand and manage them constructively.

The Law of Attraction often encourages suppressing negative thoughts. It claims this prevents bad outcomes. Stoics would argue this approach is unrealistic and unhealthy.

Stoicism has a strong ethical component. It emphasizes virtues like wisdom, justice, and self-control. The Law of Attraction doesn’t focus on moral development. Its main goal is achieving personal desires.

Critics argue the Law of Attraction promotes magical thinking. They say it oversimplifies complex issues. Stoicism, by contrast, acknowledges life’s difficulties. It offers practical tools for facing challenges.

Research supports many Stoic practices. Studies show benefits from mindfulness and cognitive reframing. Evidence for the Law of Attraction’s claims is lacking.

Stoicism teaches people to find meaning in adversity. It encourages personal growth through hardship. The Law of Attraction often promises an easy path to success.

These philosophies offer very different worldviews. Stoicism promotes resilience and self-improvement. The Law of Attraction sells a quick fix.

A transcript of author Phil Van Treuren explaining that Stoicism has nothing to do with the alpha-male “Broicism” type stuff you see from influencers like Andrew Tate and Jordan Peterson

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Stoicism is not the weird macho stuff promoted by so many male social media influencers now.

There are a bunch of really bizarre TikTok and Instagram and Twitter accounts that promote something they call “Stoicism,” but it’s not.

Don’t be fooled . . . let’s call it “bro-icism.” (I didn’t come up with that term, but it is a good way to describe it.)

Broicism caters to angry young men, mostly, and it promotes stuff like becoming emotionless, putting your own interests first, and being an “Alpha Male” (whatever that is).

It also tosses in a bit of misogyny and body-building, for some weird reason.

That’s the opposite of Stoicism. These “broicism” guys are selling stuff to angry young men who want to hear that the way they’re acting is okay. And they buy their books and all this stuff.

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by Phil Van Treuren

Just finished watching Inside Out 2 at the theater with my kids . . . great movie! I chuckled at the end (no spoilers here) when Joy uses a technique from Stoicism to control Anxiety, one of Riley’s new emotions.

In the movie, Anxiety is getting overwhelmed by thinking about all of the bad stuff that might happen to Riley in the future. Joy gives Anxiety a cup of tea and reminds her that “none of those things are happening right now.”

I’m paraphrasing, but Joy says something along the lines of “What are the things we can control? Let’s focus on those, instead.”

Rather than continuing to worry, Anxiety decides to influence Riley to study for the next day’s school exam . . . which is something that’s actually in her power to do.

It’s a great lesson pulled right from Stoic philosophy: anxiety is completely natural for us to have, and the best way to overcome it is by focusing on stuff in the present that we can actually control (preparing ourselves to face challenges, practicing, organizing, creating things, etcetera).

When people think of Stoicism, they often imagine stern philosophers accepting whatever life throws their way. But what do Stoics really believe about fate? Is everything pre-determined, or do we have some say in our destiny?

Stoicism, an ancient philosophy founded in Athens, is rooted in the idea that we should focus on what we can control and accept what we cannot. Fate, or “fatum” in Latin, is a significant concept in this philosophy. The Stoics believed that the universe is governed by a rational and divine order, often referred to as “logos.”

To understand Stoic views on fate, it’s essential to grasp their belief in determinism. Determinism suggests that all events are caused by preceding events, creating a chain reaction. For Stoics, everything happens according to nature’s law, and nothing is truly random.

So, do Stoics think we’re just puppets in a pre-scripted play? Not exactly. While they accept the idea that the universe follows a predetermined path, they also emphasize the role of human agency. This may sound contradictory, but it’s key to Stoicism.

The Stoics believed in the dichotomy of control. They taught that while we can’t control external events, we can control our reactions. Marcus Aurelius, a famous Stoic, wrote extensively about this. He encouraged people to align their will with the universe’s rational order.

Imagine you’re caught in a storm. The storm itself is beyond your control—it’s part of fate. But how you respond to the storm is up to you. You can panic, or you can seek shelter calmly. This choice is within your control.

Stoics see fate and free will as intertwined. Fate determines the events, but our responses to these events are our own. Epictetus, another prominent Stoic, highlighted that our opinions, desires, and actions are ours to govern.

Why does this matter today? In a world where so much feels beyond our control, Stoic teachings remind us that we always have power over our attitudes and choices. Accepting fate doesn’t mean resigning to it passively. Instead, it’s about finding strength in how we handle life’s challenges.

Stoic wisdom offers a way to navigate life’s uncertainties with grace. It’s about understanding that while we can’t control everything, we can control how we approach what happens. This mindset can be liberating, reducing anxiety and helping us focus on what truly matters.

Think of life as a river. You can’t control the flow, but you can decide how to navigate its currents. You might encounter rocks and rapids, but you can steer your course with skill and patience. That’s the Stoic approach to fate.

Stoicism isn’t about surrendering to a predestined path. It’s about embracing the journey with resilience and wisdom. It’s about finding freedom in our responses, even when fate throws us curveballs.

As we face our own storms, Stoic philosophy offers a timeless guide. By accepting what we can’t change and mastering our reactions, we find strength and peace in the face of life’s inevitable twists and turns.

A transcript of author Phil Van Treuren discussing the common misconception that Stoicism is related to “the law of attraction,” “magical thinking” or “manifesting”

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Stoicism is not “magical thinking.” This is not a Stoic dog . . . this is a stupid dog.

A Stoic would get the hell out of the room and figure out how to help put out the fire so nobody else gets hurt.

Stoicism doesn’t teach us to pretend that challenges don’t exist. It doesn’t teach us to embrace our own obnoxious behavior and double down on being mean to other people and that kind of thing. It doesn’t teach us to fool ourselves into being happy.

Stoics really want to see the world and themselves as it truly is . . .  as reality truly is, and make our judgments based on reality, not the way we wish things would be.

Stoicism has nothing to do with whatever “manifestation” or the “law of attraction” is. I’m not quite sure what that is . . . I see some people refer to “manifesting” online sometimes, I haven’t really looked at it. I think it has something to do with “whatever you think about enough will come true.” But that has nothing to do with Stoicism.

Stoicism doesn’t teach that our thoughts have the capacity to change reality at all. But it does teach us that we can frame situations that we’re in however we want. We can frame any situation as an opportunity or as a tragedy.

And we can find opportunity in everything we face in life.

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Stoicism, a philosophy that originated in ancient Greece, has found new life in the modern world. Ancient Stoicism focused on virtue, wisdom, courage, and temperance. Followers of Stoicism believed in living in harmony with nature and accepting fate.

Modern Stoicism, while rooted in these same principles, adapts them to contemporary life. Today’s Stoics often seek practical applications for everyday challenges. Stress management, emotional resilience, and personal growth are common themes.

The Ancient Stoics & Their Modern Counterparts

Ancient Stoics like Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus wrote extensively on enduring hardships. They emphasized accepting what we can’t control and focusing on our reactions. Their works remain influential, providing timeless wisdom.

Modern Stoicism, though, tends to be more accessible. Books, podcasts, and online courses make it easier to grasp the philosophy. Social media has played a big role in its resurgence, creating a community of like-minded individuals. Modern Stoicism writers such as Michael McGill, Ryan Holiday, Phil Van Treuren and Donald Robertson make frequent use of social media to share Stoic insights with their audiences.

One key difference is the context in which these philosophies are applied. Ancient Stoics faced political turmoil, slavery, and exile. Modern practitioners deal with workplace stress, financial concerns, and personal relationships. The core teachings remain relevant but are tailored to fit today’s landscape.

Ancient Stoic Eudaimonia vs. Modern Stoic Well-Being

The ancient Stoics’ focus on virtue aimed at achieving eudaimonia, or a flourishing life. This concept still resonates, but modern Stoics often frame it in terms of personal fulfillment and well-being. There’s a shift from abstract ideals to practical outcomes.

Meditation and mindfulness, techniques associated with ancient Stoicism, are popular today. They help in managing stress and fostering a sense of inner peace. The practice of negative visualization, imagining worst-case scenarios to build resilience, is also common.

Modern Psychology Applied to Traditional Stoicism

Modern Stoicism also incorporates insights from psychology. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, for instance, has roots in Stoic philosophy. This connection highlights how ancient wisdom can complement modern science.

Despite these differences, the essence of Stoicism remains unchanged. Both ancient and modern Stoics strive for tranquility and self-mastery. The philosophy teaches that true happiness comes from within, not from external circumstances.

Modern Stoic Philosophers & Authors

While ancient texts form the foundation, modern interpretations keep Stoicism alive and relevant. Authors like Ryan Holiday, Massimo Pigliucci, Phil Van Treuren and Donald Robertson have brought fresh perspectives, making the philosophy accessible to new audiences.

Modern Stoicism books such as The Little Book of Stoic Quotes apply ancient Stoic thinking to contemporary topics like artificial intelligence, as well as timeless subjects that the ancients focused on.

How Modern Technology Affects Stoicism

The community aspect of modern Stoicism is another notable difference. Online forums, local meetups, and global conferences create spaces for discussion and support. This communal approach contrasts with the often solitary practice of ancient Stoics.

Modern Stoicism emphasizes action. Applying Stoic principles to daily life is encouraged, whether through journaling, reflection, or mindful living. This active engagement helps individuals navigate modern challenges with a Stoic mindset.

A transcript of author Phil Van Treuren discussing the common misconception that Stoicism teaches people how to be “emotionless.”

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Now, there are a lot of misconceptions about Stoic philosophy . . . Stoic philosophy is actually more popular right now, and is studied by more people now, than it ever has been in the history of humanity. Which is weird . . . you might think, “well didn’t they study it more back when they actually had schools of Stoic philosophy?”

No . . . because we have, number one, so many more people in the world. Number two, such a higher literacy rate. Number three, we have the Internet and direct mail where people can order these books. We have email newsletters, all that kind of stuff. So actually, millions more people at this moment are learning about Stoic philosophy than ever in the history of mankind.

Misconceptions, there are a lot! Number one: Stoicism is not about learning to be emotionless. It’s not.

It teaches us how to experience more positive emotions like love and joy and gratitude. And how to overcome negative emotions like fear, anger, guilt, envy, that kind of thing. So it’s not about being emotionless, it’s about having more positive emotions.

We’re never going to have full control of our initial reactions or our first impressions. It’s not possible. We’re human beings. Regardless of what anybody says or acts like, we can’t train ourselves to just be this completely calm monk who doesn’t have a reaction when someone slaps them in the face or insults them, or when a plane is crashing that they’re in. It doesn’t happen.

But we can identify faulty thinking a little bit faster, and recover from it faster. And that’s what Stoic thinking helps us do.

The International Entrepreneurs’ Organization recently welcomed Stoicism author Phil Van Treuren as a featured speaker for the 2024 Cleveland EO Acellerator retreat and graduation.

In his hour-long presentation, titled Stoicism and the Entrepreneur Mindset, Van Treuren shared some surprises (and misconceptions) about Stoic philosophy — an ancient school of thought that offers a helpful mental blueprint for modern business owners.

Van Treuren also gifted free copies of his newest book,The Little Book of Stoic Quotes, to the nearly 50 attendees.

Van Treuren (pronounced 𝘝𝘢𝘯 𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘰-𝘪𝘯) is an author, entrepreneur and perpetual work in progress. He grew up in the rural mining town of Round Mountain, Nevada and is a graduate of Southern Utah University.

Phil’s first book, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘬 𝘏𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘊𝘢𝘵, was published by Stoic Simple Press in 2022. Its follow-up, 𝘈 𝘋𝘰𝘨 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘍𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘴 𝘎𝘭𝘢𝘥𝘭𝘺, was published in Spring of 2023.

Phil’s additional work includes 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘳𝘣𝘢𝘯 𝘌𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘯 and 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘪𝘤 𝘘𝘶𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴. He lives outside of Cleveland, Ohio with his wife and four children.

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Note from the Editor: At 124 years old, Phil Van Treuren became the oldest person to climb Mount Everest when he reached the peak alone on June 30th, 2023. We’ve re-published his famous Twitter post from base camp (with permission) as part of our “Stoic Achievements” series.

by Phil Van Treuren

Reaching base camp today means I’m close to accomplishing a goal I’ve had for many decades.

I realize that much of my success in life has had to do with luck: the first [black and white] pic is me in 1917, right after I was accepted at Cornell for biochemistry. That bit of good fortune got me a deferment from fighting in a war that many of my friends didn’t survive.

Luck visited again a decade later, when a soil sample I collected in Tristan da Cunha allowed my team to synthesize a long-chain molecule that showed great potential for anti-aging applications. (Ironically, I nearly died of malaria on that very trip.)

Because of that discovery — and several more — the stock market crash wasn’t nearly as hard on me as it was on most of the country. (The second [black and white] photo was taken in 1935, when I became president of Nova Pharmaceuticals.)

When the U.S. entered World War II, I was too old to be drafted into service (lucky again!). After selling my shares in Nova, I joined Stanford as a professor of chemistry and microbiology (third [black and white] pic).

By that time, I had already been self-administering the drug we synthesized at Nova for more than a decade. Although it seemed to keep me healthy, I had no idea that the molecule had started to slow my body’s biological aging process to a crawl.

If you told me as a Cornell student that I’d be climbing Mount Everest at 124 years of age, I would have thought you were crazy!

I’m so very grateful for the many opportunities I’ve had in my life. I don’t know if the time I have left will be measured in months, decades or centuries . . . but I plan to keep living each day as though it’s my last.

(Oh, by the way: my next goal is to walk on the moon, and I’m not in any hurry to get there.)