Brian Johnson delivers a short Arete +1 micro-chapter titled "Singer’s Stoicism," arguing that Michael Singer’s teachings (notably "true surrender") closely parallel classical Stoic ideas (e.g., Marcus Aurelius on judgment causing distress). The episode contrasts different labels (true surrender, loving what is, radical acceptance, art of acquiescence) while urging listeners to practice acceptance in the present moment.
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Hi, this is Brian. Welcome back to another arete plus one degree. A micro chapter from arete. Activate your heroic potential. 451 ideas like this singers Stoicism True Surrender Michael Singer is one of my favorite teachers. He clearly practices his philosophy, and his philosophy is a good one. As I was reading his latest book, I was struck by the parallels between his wisdom and stoicism. Although they take different approaches to get there and describe the process in slightly different terms, they arrive at the same destination. Check this out. Here's Michael Singer from Living Untethered. He says, and I quote, one of the most amazing things you will ever realize is that the moment in front of you is not bothering you. You are bothering yourself about the moment in front of you. Here's Marcus Aurelius in his Meditations. He tells us, and I quote him, if you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your own estimate of it. And this you have the power to revoke at any moment. The wisest among us learn to have the wisdom and the humility to see the bigger picture and to accept reality. That is what Singer would call true surrender. Byron Katie calls it loving. What is. Phil Stutz calls it radical acceptance. The Stoics called it the art of acquiescence. And their entire philosophy is basically predicated on exactly what Michael Singer is describing. Whatever you want to call it, let's practice it today.
