How Emerson Can Help You Become a Stoic Nonconformist

When we think about Stoic philosophers, we typically think about the thinkers of ancient Greece and Rome, like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius. But my guest, Mark Matousek, says there was an incredibly insightful Stoic philosopher who lived on the American continent in more modern times: Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Matousek is the author of Lessons from an American Stoic: How Emerson Can Change Your Life, and today on the show, he shares how Stoicism and Transcendentalism overlap and how you can use Emerson's Stoic philosophy to become a nonconformist. We discuss the lessons you can learn from Emerson on developing self-reliance, embracing the strengths of your weaknesses, trusting your own genius instead of imitating others, gaining confidence from nature, compensating for the difficulties of relationships through the joy of deeper connections, living with greater courage, and more.

Resources Related to the PodcastEmerson's essay "Self-Reliance""I Sing the Body Electric" by Walt WhitmanAoM Article: A Man's Guide to Self-RelianceAoM Article: Emerson’s Advice on How to Read for Greater Self-RelianceAoM Article: 31 Journaling Prompts for Building Greater Self-RelianceAoM Podcast #384: What It Really Means to Be Self-ReliantAoM Podcast #894: Thoreau on Making a LivingAoM Podcast #861: 7 Journaling Techniques That Can Change Your LifeSunday Firesides: Despise Not the Thing That Would Save YouSunday Firesides: Look Into the TombConnect With Mark MatousekMark's websiteThe Seekers Forum