Following yesterday's focus on external control, Day 2 guides us into the most powerful territory of all: our Inner Commentary. Negative tendencies—like impatience, self-criticism, or resentment—are rarely caused by the event itself, but rather by the instantaneous, faulty judgment we place upon that event.
ALL ABOUT THIS WEEK'S SERIES
Welcome to "The Path to Happiness with the Stoics."
Welcome to a new journey on the Daily Meditation Podcast. This week, we are walking The Path to Happiness with the Stoics.
When we think of "Stoicism," we often imagine a stiff upper lip or the suppression of emotion. But the ancient Stoics—thinkers like Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus—were actually in pursuit of profound joy. They didn't seek the fleeting happiness of a sugar rush or a new purchase; they sought Eudaimonia (flourishing) and Ataraxia (unshakable tranquility).
This is day 2 of a 7-day meditation series, "The Path to Happiness with the Stoics," episodes 1164-1170.
Prepare to shift your perspective. Happiness is not something you chase; it is something you practice.
YOUR WEEKLY CHALLENGE: "The Control Test"
This week, your challenge is to apply the "Control Test" to every moment of friction or anxiety you encounter. Whenever you feel stress rising, pause immediately and ask yourself: "Is this 100% within my control?" If the answer is no, practice visualizing yourself physically dropping the weight of that outcome, redirecting your energy solely toward your own attitude and response.
THIS WEEK'S MEDITATION JOURNEY