“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Epictetus

Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was the last famous Stoic philosopher of the ancient world. The Meditations, his personal journal, survives to this day as one of the most loved self-help and spiritual classics of all time. In this episode, I speak with cognitive psychotherapist Donald Robertson about his book How to Think Like a Roman Emperor.

Donald explains stoicism and the timeless principles and weaves the life and philosophy of Marcus Aurelius together seamlessly to provide a compelling modern-day guide to the Stoic wisdom in efforts to provide a rational, healthy way of living in harmony with the nature of the universe and in respect of our relationships with each other. Stoic wisdom provides a transformative journey towards achieving greater fulfilment and emotional resilience.

“It never ceases to amaze me: we all love ourselves more than other people, but care more about their opinion than our own.” Marcus Aurelius

Guest Bio

Donald is a writer and cognitive-behavioural psychotherapist based in Toronto, Canada. He’s the author of six books on philosophy and psychotherapy including Stoicism and the Art of Happiness and How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius.

Books in getting started with Stoicism

How to Think Like a Roman Emperor: The Stoic Philosophy of Marcus Aurelius by Donald Robertson

Stoicism and the Art of Happiness: Teach Yourself – Ancient tips for modern challenges by Donald Robertson

Meditations: with selected correspondence (Oxford World’s Classics) by Robin Hard

The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday

A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy by William B. Irvine

The Enchiridion by Tony Darnell

How to connect with Donald

Personal website here.

Modern Stoicism website.

Further Reading and Resources

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