Stoicism & Western Buddhism

<p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(15 17 17 1)>Many practitioners of Buddhism find that Stoic philosophy the ancient Greco-Roman philosophy as a way of life is similar to their own philosophy and a helpful addition to their lives. Meanwhile many modern Stoics also practise Buddhist-inspired meditation and find inspiration in Buddhist ideas and practices. In this extended reflection Patrick Ussher considers in what ways Buddhism and Stoicism are similar highly engaged and practical philosophies as a way of life which can mutually inform and enlighten each other. The book explores themes of Buddhist and Stoic mindfulness shared psychological insights as well as Stoic and Buddhist practices for cultivating compassion and concern for others. Patrick Ussher also explores why it is that of all forms of Buddhism it is 'Western Buddhism' that is most similar to Stoicism. In the West Buddhism has been 'redeveloped' into a practical highly engaged present moment focussed philosophy as a way of life. And as it happens this Western 'reinvention' of Buddhism turns out to be much closer to Stoic philosophy than it is to the traditional Buddhism from which it draws. Similarly Stoicism has also been undergoing a 'reinvention' in recent times which has particularly emphasised its practical nature as a philosophy as a way of life for anyone regardless of belief in God which was an essential feature of traditional Stoicism. The resulting 'Modern Stoicism' is likewise even closer to Western Buddhism than traditional Stoicism is. This book is for anyone who is interested in how either Stoicism or Buddhism can be a helpful and heartfelt addition to their lives and who is also interested in reflecting on how both Stoicism and Buddhism are undergoing dynamic 'reinterpretations' in the modern world. </span></p><p></p>