> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.stoicfellowship.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.stoicfellowship.com/wiki/exercises.md). # Practicing Stoicism Practical exercises for developing Stoic skills **Stoic exercises** are practices of attention, judgment, desire, action, and reflection. Their aim is not merely to feel calmer, but to train our ***prohairesis*** (or faculty of moral choice) so that we respond to life according to reason, virtue, and nature. In Greek, this kind of training can be called ***askêsis*** or disciplined practice. A related term is ***meletaó***, meaning rehearsal or practice, especially the rehearsal of Stoic principles so they are ready “at hand” when needed. This library contains standalone practices grounded in Stoic doctrine and ancient sources. Use the navigation below to find a practice. ## Choosing an Exercise Use **By Challenge** when you need help with a situation now, **By Skill** when you know what capacity you want to train, or **By Method** when you know how you want to practice. Choose one exercise and try its shortest usable form before adding another. ## Find a Practice {% tabs %} {% tab title="By Challenge" %} | When you are dealing with… | Try… | | ----------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **A strong reaction or an overwhelmed mind** | [Prosochē](/wiki/exercises/attention-impressions-and-assent/prosoche.md); [First-Movement Detection](/wiki/exercises/attention-impressions-and-assent/first-movement-detection.md); [Pause Before Assent](/wiki/exercises/attention-impressions-and-assent/pause-before-assent.md); [Exercise of Delay](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/delay.md); [Circumscribing the Present](/wiki/exercises/perspective-mortality-and-impermanence/circumscribing-the-present.md) | | **A confusing impression or uncertain judgment** | [Bracketing](/wiki/exercises/attention-impressions-and-assent/bracketing.md); [Examine Your Impressions](/wiki/exercises/attention-impressions-and-assent/examine-your-impressions.md); [Decomposition](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/decomposition.md); [Turn the Omen to Good](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/turn-the-omen-to-good.md); [Take the Outside View](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/otherize.md); [Two Handles](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/two-handles.md) | | **Control, uncertain outcomes, or a difficult undertaking** | [Fundamental Rule](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/fundamental-rule.md); [Reserve Clause (*Hupexairesis*)](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/reserve-clause.md); [The Stoic Archer](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/stoic-archer.md); [Two Missions](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/two-missions.md); [Step-Wise Policy](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/step-wise.md); [Infinite Opportunity](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/infinite-opportunity.md); [Exercise of Reputation](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/reputation-as-an-indifferent.md) | | **Desire, temptation, comfort, or irritation** | [The Banquet](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/the-banquet.md); [Voluntary Discomfort](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/voluntary-discomfort.md); [Temptation Rehearsal](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/temptations.md); [The Price of Tranquility](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/price-of-tranquility.md) | | **Loss, change, attachment, or resistance to reality** | [Accepting Reality](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/accepting-reality.md); [Gratitude Without Attachment](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/gratitude-without-attachment.md); [Returned, Not Lost](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/returned-not-lost.md); [Contemplate Impermanence](/wiki/exercises/perspective-mortality-and-impermanence/contemplate-impermanence.md); [Memento Mori](/wiki/exercises/perspective-mortality-and-impermanence/memento-mori.md) | | **A role, relationship, insult, or conflict** | [Contemplating the Sage](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/contemplating-the-sage.md); [Role Ethics Review](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/role-review.md); [Circles of Hierocles](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/circles-of-hierocles.md); [Exercise of Social Goods](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/exercise-of-social-goods.md); [Choose Your Company Well](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/choose-your-company-well.md); [Prepare for Difficult Conversations](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/prepare-for-difficult-conversations.md); [Reframing Insults](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/reframing-insults.md) | | **Speech and social pressure** | [Speak Little and Well](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/speak-little-and-well.md); [Avoid Gossip](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/avoid-gossip.md); [Avoid Crude or Empty Talk](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/avoid-crude-or-empty-talk.md); [Do Not Speak Too Much About Yourself](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/do-not-speak-too-much-about-yourself.md); [Don't Lecture About Philosophy](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/dont-lecture-about-philosophy.md) | | **A narrow perspective or confused sense of self** | [View from Above](/wiki/exercises/perspective-mortality-and-impermanence/view-from-above.md); [Circumscribing the Self](/wiki/exercises/perspective-mortality-and-impermanence/circumscribing-the-self.md) | | **The day ahead or a foreseeable difficulty** | [Morning Orientation](/wiki/exercises/preparation-and-review/morning-orientation.md); [Premeditation of Adversity](/wiki/exercises/preparation-and-review/premeditation-of-adversity.md) | | {% endtab %} | | {% tab title="By Skill" %} | Skill to develop | Practices to consider | | ------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Attention and early detection** | [Prosochē](/wiki/exercises/attention-impressions-and-assent/prosoche.md); [First-Movement Detection](/wiki/exercises/attention-impressions-and-assent/first-movement-detection.md); [Pause Before Assent](/wiki/exercises/attention-impressions-and-assent/pause-before-assent.md) | | **Accurate judgment and assent** | [Bracketing](/wiki/exercises/attention-impressions-and-assent/bracketing.md); [Examine Your Impressions](/wiki/exercises/attention-impressions-and-assent/examine-your-impressions.md); [Decomposition](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/decomposition.md); [Two Handles](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/two-handles.md) | | **Agency and self-command** | [Fundamental Rule](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/fundamental-rule.md); [Circumscribing the Self](/wiki/exercises/perspective-mortality-and-impermanence/circumscribing-the-self.md); [Exercise of Delay](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/delay.md) | | **Desire and acceptance** | [Accepting Reality](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/accepting-reality.md); [The Banquet](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/the-banquet.md); [Voluntary Discomfort](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/voluntary-discomfort.md); [Gratitude Without Attachment](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/gratitude-without-attachment.md) | | **Deliberate choice and effective action** | [Step-Wise Policy](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/step-wise.md); [The Stoic Archer](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/stoic-archer.md); [Two Missions](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/two-missions.md); [Infinite Opportunity](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/infinite-opportunity.md) | | **Justice, roles, and social concern** | [Role Ethics Review](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/role-review.md); [Circles of Hierocles](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/circles-of-hierocles.md); [Exercise of Social Goods](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/exercise-of-social-goods.md); [Prepare for Difficult Conversations](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/prepare-for-difficult-conversations.md) | | **Perspective and proportion** | [Take the Outside View](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/otherize.md); [Circumscribing the Present](/wiki/exercises/perspective-mortality-and-impermanence/circumscribing-the-present.md); [Contemplate Impermanence](/wiki/exercises/perspective-mortality-and-impermanence/contemplate-impermanence.md); [Memento Mori](/wiki/exercises/perspective-mortality-and-impermanence/memento-mori.md); [View from Above](/wiki/exercises/perspective-mortality-and-impermanence/view-from-above.md) | | **Preparation and review** | [Morning Orientation](/wiki/exercises/preparation-and-review/morning-orientation.md); [Premeditation of Adversity](/wiki/exercises/preparation-and-review/premeditation-of-adversity.md); [Temptation Rehearsal](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/temptations.md) | | {% endtab %} | | {% tab title="By Method" %} | How you want to practice | Practices and tools | | ---------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Pause and examine in the moment** | [Pause Before Assent](/wiki/exercises/attention-impressions-and-assent/pause-before-assent.md); [Examine Your Impressions](/wiki/exercises/attention-impressions-and-assent/examine-your-impressions.md); [Fundamental Rule](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/fundamental-rule.md); [Exercise of Delay](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/delay.md) | | **Rehearse before a test** | [Morning Orientation](/wiki/exercises/preparation-and-review/morning-orientation.md); [Premeditation of Adversity](/wiki/exercises/preparation-and-review/premeditation-of-adversity.md); [Temptation Rehearsal](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/temptations.md); [Step-Wise Policy](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/step-wise.md); [Prepare for Difficult Conversations](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/prepare-for-difficult-conversations.md) | | **Change perspective through an image or viewpoint** | [The Stoic Archer](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/stoic-archer.md); [Two Missions](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/two-missions.md); [Two Handles](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue/two-handles.md); [Take the Outside View](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/otherize.md); [View from Above](/wiki/exercises/perspective-mortality-and-impermanence/view-from-above.md) | | **Practice through conduct** | [Voluntary Discomfort](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/voluntary-discomfort.md); [The Banquet](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/the-banquet.md); [Choose Your Company Well](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/choose-your-company-well.md); [Speak Little and Well](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech/speak-little-and-well.md) | | **Reflect after or outside the event** | [Gratitude Without Attachment](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance/gratitude-without-attachment.md); [Contemplate Impermanence](/wiki/exercises/perspective-mortality-and-impermanence/contemplate-impermanence.md); [Memento Mori](/wiki/exercises/perspective-mortality-and-impermanence/memento-mori.md); [Circumscribing the Self](/wiki/exercises/perspective-mortality-and-impermanence/circumscribing-the-self.md) | | **Use a supporting tool or method** | [Journaling](/wiki/exercises/tools-and-methods/journaling.md); [Mindfulness](/wiki/exercises/tools-and-methods/mindfulness.md); [Maxims](/wiki/exercises/tools-and-methods/maxims.md); [Modern Framing Tools](/wiki/exercises/tools-and-methods/modern-framing-tools.md) | | {% endtab %} | | | {% endtabs %} | | The original library structure remains available through [Attention, Impressions, and Assent](/wiki/exercises/attention-impressions-and-assent.md), [Agency, Desire, and Acceptance](/wiki/exercises/agency-desire-and-acceptance.md), [Choice, Action, and Virtue](/wiki/exercises/choice-action-and-virtue.md), [Roles, Relationships, and Speech](/wiki/exercises/roles-relationships-and-speech.md), [Perspective, Mortality, and Impermanence](/wiki/exercises/perspective-mortality-and-impermanence.md), [Preparation and Review](/wiki/exercises/preparation-and-review.md), and [Tools and Methods](/wiki/exercises/tools-and-methods.md). > **About names:** This page uses canonical exercise names. Alternative names, classic examples, modern parallels, and variants remain on the canonical exercise page rather than appearing as separate practices here. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://wiki.stoicfellowship.com/wiki/exercises.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. 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