June 04, 2025

Even after years of practice, I still fail

31 minutes

In this episode, I share a personal story about nearly losing my temper on a train—a moment that reminded me, yet again, how far I am from sagehood and how important continuous attention (prosochē) is in Stoic practice. A long day in London, a rowdy group of teens, and a few minor annoyances were enough to push me near my breaking point. But in reflecting on the moment, I was reminded that even when we slip, our years of practice can still protect us from our worst impulses.

I share this story not just to vent, but to illustrate three key ideas: how quickly we can be carried away by impressions when we stop paying attention; how Stoic practice can lower the intensity of our worst moments over time; and how no one is immune to slipping—not even those who teach the philosophy to others. This episode is a reminder that the Stoic path requires vigilance, humility, and honest self-reflection.

NO MEDITATION CITED THIS EPISODE

THREE TAKEAWAYS

— The moment you stop paying attention, indifferents can run away with you.

— Stoic training builds internal safeguards that make even your worst moments better than they once were.

— Falling short is inevitable—but it’s also instructive and necessary for progress.

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