A true stoic experiences fear, anger, joy, and love, but bridles them with discipline. By exploring the teachings of Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius, Keisha illustrates how Stoicism’s principle of mental discipline offers enduring lessons for navigating uncertainty. Drawing parallels between the past and present, Keisha underscores Stoicism’s timeless relevance as a guiding framework for modern life. Keisha Lerum is a student of anthropology and classical history, specializing in Ancient Roman society, identity, and cultural diffusion within the provinces as seen in architecture. Her broader research examines identity formation in the context of liminality. Keisha’s talk delves into Roman stoicism, which she has been practicing for over six years. Initially influenced by the teachings of Epictetus, her approach has since incorporated insights from other Roman Stoic philosophers. Keisha emphasizes the importance of mental discipline, the dichotomy of control, and voluntary discomfort for managing passions and alleviating emotional suffering. Through her studies, she investigates how ancient societies faced the same fundamental realities as the modern world, showcasing these parallels across different cultural manifestations. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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