STOIC WISDOM

Stoicism has made a comeback as the ideal ancient philosophy for those seeking calm in times of stress and uncertainty. For many, it has become the new Zen, with meditation techniques that help us face whatever life throws our way. The Stoics address a key question of our time: how can we be masters of our fate when the outside world threatens to unmoor our well-being? Making Stoic wisdom relevant and accessible, Sherman distils time-honored techniques for building modern resilience. Drawing on the thought of Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca, and others, Sherman argues that Stoic resilience is miscast as rugged self-reliance. We are at home in the world, the Stoics taught, when we are connected to each other in cooperative efforts. While self-mastery is essential, we draw on our deepest relationships for true strength and resilience. Bringing ancient wisdom to bear on 21st century settings-from Silicon Valley leaders in search of lifehacks, to first responders in a pandemic, to soldiers on the battlefield-Sherman shows how Stoicism can both prepare us for an uncertain future and help us reduce the stress and anxiety of modern life. Stoic Wisdom will appeal to anyone feeling helpless or looking for deeper, meaningful strength and goodness in addressing life's biggest and smallest challenges--