Bruce’s Comments (group member since Jan 30, 2017)

Bruce’s comments from the Project Mimir group.

It doesn't talk about this.

Thanks for the recommendation. I think we should vote which one would bring us the most immediate benefit to our lives.

My recommendation is Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life

It's short and easy to read.

It's not necessarily a reduction in negative feelings that the Stoics strive for. Rather, it's a reconceptualization of the world so that things wouldn't lead to negative feelings in the first place. Of course, it's impossible to be a Sage and everyone feels negative emotions. What a practitioner can do is recognize the negative feelings as "Impressions". We are not angry unless we think we are angry. If you feel anger, you can recognize it as a feeling, its presence, without it letting it get a foothold in your mind. (This technique of cognitive distancing is used in modern CBT)

So it doesn't seek out to reduce negative emotions. Negative emotions are not "bad" nor are positive emotions "good." They are neutral. Stoicism states that certain beliefs lead to negative emotions. The reduction in negative feelings is a consequence of adopting a certain set of beliefs; not a tenant of those beliefs.

The same goes for even positive emotions which can enthrall us in passion.