David Alton

I came to Stoicism when I happened across a 1946 Everyman's Library edition of The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius about to be discarded by a library. That was over 20 years ago and I've been meditating on those meditations since. In my own way I have taken his references to Providence and subsequently developed spiritually as a deist.So I was pleased to read on your site that the early Greek stoics were essentially deist. I recognise that sticism goes into all aspects of daily life and while I don't always get it right that's no reason to stop aspiring.

Selran Baydar

Jonathan Bowen

Martin Convey

Dean Dibling

Anthony Fitzpatrick

Read philosophy since my teens. Philosophy of science and social science as part of a Sociology degree; worked for 30 years in the Prison Service, initially as an Assistant Governor, then Governor in charge of large prisons. My last 5 years spent as an Area Manager in charge of ten penal establishments.The job virtually demands one finds a life philosophy to set and maintain direction.I tried organised religion, sporadically, in my thirties through my fifties but achieved no lasting satisfaction: instincively I moved towards trying - often poorly -to live by the virtues. Since retirement I have come to the realisation that, for me,the judeo-christian narrative is not credible. I have been re-reading Aurelius for the first time in fifteen or twenty years and have found enough to want to explore further. Even some would be Stoics need community so I am currently an irregular attender at a Unitarian chapel.

Erik Guthaus

I discovered stoicism in college, and recently rediscovered while learning to overcome my anxiety problems. Stoicism is for me a chance for freedom.

Daniel Johnson

I first sought out Stoicism as a child. I thought if I could not hurt, my family life of divorce, mental & physical abuse and hardship may become tolerable. As I matured I realized it is not the suppression of emotions, rather the reaction to the circumstance that make such things bearable. I still must practice but have found that reacting only to those things within my control with wisdom and dignity is the only course of action for me.

Graham Johnson

I got into Stoicism in August 2007 after reading Alain De Botton's Status Anxiety, then reading Meditations, and then Seneca's On Anger etc and Epictetus' Handbook. Stoicism helps me get through the day and I like the idea of it being a kind of street philosophy.

Steve Keane

Matthew Klauber

I am a former philosophy student, relatively well-versed in the classics. Stoicism attracts me because it is rational and naturalistic, yet also deeply soothing and spiritual. I will admit that I have had problems with narcissism and anxiety, and I believe Stoicism has enormous potential to help me cope with these issues. But the Stoic school of thought is a practical philosophy and a discipline, not simply an abstract theory. I require the assistance of more advanced sages in cultivating the virtues. Man is, after all, a rational, social animal.

Barry Knapp

Recently I read Thoughts of Marcus Aurelius and am now reading Irvines Guide to the Good Life. Looking forward to learning more about and practicing Stoicism. For me, Stoicism provides a path for appreciating what is important in life and not falling victim to materialism and superfluous concerns.

Bruce Kodish

I first discovered Stoic philosophy as a teenager, in the writings of psychologist Albert Ellis, around the time that I became interested in general-semantics, the discipline of applied scientific epistemology founded by Alfred Korzybski. As I've pursued my studies in general-semantics, I've realized more and more that Korzybski qualifies as a modern stoic, whose teachings are both strengthened by a study of the stoical tradition and can contribute to the advancement of 21st Century stoicism. That's what I want to pursue.

Randolph Kuiper

Beth Lee

I have just read the book Philosophy of Life and found the stoic section particularly intersting and useful and actually something that could be applied in order to improve everyday life and would like to learn more.

Brian Lembcke

Daniel Lenhoff

Anupriyo Mandal

Joseph Mcfarland

Raymond Moy

Exposed through rational emotive therapy.

Charles Reed

Jim Serpless

Leron Shults

Lizz Slabaugh

I had been searching for a religion or philosophy that combined nature and God, but didn't feel closer to the Christian religion rather than Buddhism/Hinduism. I started learning about Marcus Aurelius, came across his book Meditation and my discovery went from there... So I have been reading his meditations and Epicteus' Enchiridion.

Elaine Southall

James Stillwell

I have been studying Stoicism for a year now and have found it to be a beautiful philosophy of self empowerment and true freedom. As soon as I began to take in the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, I began to see a dramatic reduction of anxiety and an obliteration of panic attacks. Through the stoic philosopher I have come to appreciate life a bit more, and have found a well needed sense of inner peace. If I intend to find peace, I must live in accord with nature. I shall continue my studies in Stoicism....

Kathy Williams

Jules Evans at the HaY Festival and then reading his book made sense of what I have thought of as my world view. Therefore Stoicism validates my sense of identity and self worth.