Phil Yanov

In our modern world, we are constantly bombarded. From the moment we wake, glowing screens present us with an almost infinite array of desires, aspirations, and diversions. We scroll through curated lives, tempting advertisements, and endless opportunities for entertainment, consumption, and connection. It’s a glittering, shimmering landscape, often overwhelming in its sheer volume.

This ever-present multiplicity can be a real challenge to our peace of mind. We might find ourselves feeling scattered, pulled in a dozen directions at once, or even paralyzed by indecision. How do we choose wisely when faced with so many enticing options? How do we discern what truly serves us from what merely distracts?

This is where Stoicism offers us a lens through which to view this modern predicament. The Stoics, long before the internet or even widespread literacy, understood the critical importance of what they called "impressions" (phantasiai).

Consider Epictetus, who frequently reminded his students about the nature of these impressions. He urged them to be diligent in examining them, not simply accepting them at face value. He said, "Don't allow your imagination to be overwhelmed by any impression; but say to every harsh impression, 'You are an impression, and not at all what you appear to be.'" (Epictetus, Discourses, 2.18.24).

When we are faced with a dazzling array of choices—be it a career path, a purchase, a social engagement, or even just what to focus our attention on at any given moment—our initial reaction is an impression. It might be an impression of immense joy, potential benefit, or even urgent necessity.

But the Stoic practice is to pause. To hold that impression up to the light of reason. To ask ourselves:

* Is this truly necessary? Many of the things that grab our attention are not essential for a good life. They might be pleasant, but are they truly vital?

* Is this within my control? We often become fixated on outcomes that are entirely outside our sphere of influence. A Stoic recognizes that true freedom lies in focusing only on what is genuinely up to us: our judgments, our actions, and our character. If the "choice" is really about something external, we can detach from its pull.

* Does this align with my values? The Stoics emphasized the Four Cardinal Virtues: Wisdom, Justice, Courage, and Temperance. When faced with a multitude of options, we can ask which choice best embodies these virtues. Does it promote wisdom, fairness, strength of character, or moderation?

* What is the true nature of this impression? As Marcus Aurelius so often reminded himself, we should strip away the fancy external packaging and see things for what they really are. Is that luxurious item truly more than just fabric and thread? Is that social approval truly more than just fleeting opinion?

By applying this rigorous scrutiny to our impressions, we begin to clear away the fog of distraction and the allure of the merely appealing. We move beyond being tossed about by every glittering temptation and instead choose deliberately, based on what truly contributes to our inner tranquility and virtuous living.

How to Grow A Philosophy Meetup: The Ten Commandments of Growing a Group

Patrick Barry of the Stoic Fellowship Podcast interviewed me on the topic of how to grow your local Stoa. See what you think:

Stoic Fellowship Podcast Hey everyone! 👋 Welcome to the Stoic Fellowship podcast! In this episode, host Patrick Barry chats with Phil Yanov, who brings a wealth of experience from running numerous local practice groups and the popular Conversations with Modern Stoicism events.

Are you a Stoic facilitator looking to grow your local practice group (stoa)? Or perhaps you're interested in starting a stoa and want to know the best ways to build a healthy and sustainable Stoicism community? Then this is the episode for you!

Phil shares his thoughts and hard-earned lessons on how to foster organic and meaningful growth within your Stoic circles. He dives deep into the importance of cultivating the right group culture, emphasizing that the quality of attendees often matters more than the quantity.

In this interview, you'll discover:

Practical strategies for finding and inviting new members who are a good fit for your group's culture, moving beyond just relying on online platforms.

Insights into the pros and cons of different group sizes and how to adapt your approach as your stoa evolves.

The power of personal invitations over mass outreach for building a strong foundation.

Phil's "Ten Commandments for a Successful Stoa", offering valuable guidance on everything from establishing culture to managing group dynamics (we explore several of these in detail!).

The significance of consistency and ritual in creating a stable and engaging environment for your members.

Essential tips on building an email list to effectively communicate with your community.

How to address discord within your group with courage and clarity to protect the community.

The crucial reminder of the ultimate purpose of your Stoic gatherings: facilitating personal transformation.

Phil emphasizes the value of genuine connection and thoughtful conversation in fostering a thriving Stoic community. He shares actionable advice on creating a space where people feel psychologically safe to learn and grow together.

Don't miss this episode packed with wisdom and practical tips to help you nurture a vibrant and enduring local Stoicism practice group! 

Ah, "impactful." A word that slides into our ears with the greasy smoothness of a politician's handshake, leaving behind a residue of vague, unearned significance. Every time I hear that word come out of someone's mouth, I bristle. It's a linguistic weed, choking the garden of precise expression.

Let us dissect this monstrosity. "Impactful" is, technically, a word. Dictionaries grudgingly acknowledge its existence, like a beleaguered librarian stamping a late-return notice on a tattered, graffiti-laden book. But just because it is a word doesn't mean it should be one. It's a lazy shortcut, a verbal crutch for those too intellectually flaccid to articulate the nuance of their thoughts.

The core problem lies in its inherent vagueness. "Impactful" suggests a profound effect, a significant change, but it refuses to specify what kind of effect or how significant. It's the linguistic equivalent of a blurry photograph – you know something is there, but you can't quite make it out. It's a word that tries to borrow the gravitas of "impact" without actually earning it.

Think of the alternatives, the words that a person of discerning taste might employ:

* Significant: This word conveys importance and consequence without the clumsy, manufactured gravity of "impactful."

* Effective: If you're talking about a positive outcome or influence, "effective" is clear and concise.

* Influential: This word highlights the power to sway opinions or actions.

* Meaningful: For emotional or personal resonance, "meaningful" is far more evocative.

* Consequential: This emphasizes the resulting effects of an action or event.

* Powerful: When you need force and strength to come across, powerful is a great choice.

* Substantial: If the impact is large in size or degree, substantial is a perfect fit.

* Momentous: If the event is of great importance, momentous is a great choice.

Instead of a "impactful presentation," consider a "significant presentation" or a "powerful presentation." Instead of a "impactful change," try a "meaningful change" or a "consequential change."

The overuse of "impactful" is a symptom of a larger malaise: the creeping erosion of precise language. We've become too comfortable with vague, buzzword-laden jargon, sacrificing clarity for the illusion of importance. We've traded the sharp scalpel of precise expression for the blunt hammer of lazy generalization.

by Phil Yanov

I. THOU SHALT CULTIVATE CULTURE BEFORE NUMBERS

Establish sacred ground rules of positive intent, confidentiality, and psychological safety before all else. For the temple of ideas is built upon trust, not attendance.

II. THOU SHALT GROW THROUGH PERSONAL INVITATION, NOT MASS PROCLAMATION

Let current disciples invite those of kindred spirit who will contribute meaningfully to the collective wisdom. For quality of thought matters more than quantity of bodies.

III. THOU SHALT HONOR THE SACRED PROGRESSION OF GROUP SIZE

Begin with the intimate circle of five, expand to the council of nine to twelve, then the assembly of twenty to thirty, adapting thy leadership accordingly. For each threshold demands its own covenant of management.

IV. THOU SHALT MAINTAIN UNWAVERING CONSTANCY IN GATHERING

Let thy meetings be as reliable as the phases of the moon, same in time and place each month. For consistency builds trust, and trust builds attendance.

V. THOU SHALT EMBRACE THE TOOLS OF ORGANIZATION

Utilize the modern apps of Luma,  MailChimp, and Eventbrite to shepherd thy flock and gather their digital testament. For even the simplest tools can organize the most profound gatherings.

VI. THOU SHALT GUARD THE GATES OF MEMBERSHIP WITH WISDOM

Be vigilant in who enters thy circle, for the presence of one affects the experience of all. The quality of thy participants outweighs their number.

VII. THOU SHALT NURTURE THE SELF-SUSTAINING FLAME OF CULTURE

Let the elders among you pass down the traditions and standards to the newcomers. For a strong culture, once kindled, will maintain its own sacred fire.

VIII. THOU SHALT BALANCE THE ETERNAL WITH THE NOVEL

Honor thy traditions while refreshing thy approach with seasonal themes and special rituals. For the mind craves both the comfort of the familiar and the excitement of discovery.

IX. THOU SHALT CONFRONT DISCORD WITH COURAGE AND CLARITY

When chaos threatens harmony, speak truth in service of the greater good. For addressing disruption promptly preserves the sanctity of the circle.

X. THOU SHALT REMEMBER THE ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF THY GATHERING

Keep ever in mind that the goal is transformation, not mere conversation. Help thy fellows improve their lives through philosophical enlightenment and the bonds of community. 

In The Philosophy of Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Donald Robertson quotes from Justus Lipsius, a Renaissance humanist whose works formed part of the revival of Stoicism for a Christian audience in the sixteenth century. Lipsius memorably compares our tendency to fixate on the negative to the behaviour of a fly:

As flies and such like vile creatures do never rest long upon smooth and fine polished places, but do stick fast to rough and filthy corners, so the murmuring mind does lightly pass over the consideration of all good fortune but never forgets the adverse or evil. It handles and pries into that and often augments it with great wit.

— Happy: Why More or Less Everything is Absolutely Fine by Derren Brown

I've been reflecting on the phrase "may you live in interesting times." While often called a Chinese curse, its essence is about fate's inevitability - something captured in the Old English "Wyrd bið ful aræd" (fate is wholly inexorable) and the Delphic maxim "Τύχην στέργε" (love fate). Slavoj Žižek would probably bristle at my use of "interesting" - it is an intellectual's crutch for avoiding real engagement - but here it aptly describes our unsettling reality. Rather than praise or lament our vexing circumstances, perhaps accepting them puts us in a better position to face adversity. Let discomfort keep us from complacency.

- Enchiridion 30

Our responsibilities and appropriate behavior are largely defined by our relationships with others. Take your relationship with your parent - you have certain duties: to support them, respect their authority, and even tolerate harsh treatment. You might object "But they're a terrible parent!" That's beside the point - the obligation comes from the relationship itself, not their quality as a parent.

Remember - no one can truly harm you unless you accept that interpretation of events. The real damage comes from your judgment that you've been harmed, not from the actions themselves.

Stoicism emphasizes gratitude for what we’ve got when we’ve got it. Marcus Aurelius calls upon himself, and us to practice gratitude. I’ve not always been grateful. That’s an idea and an ideal that I’ve cultivated through Stoic practice. Before Stoicism, it was pretty easy to grumble about the noise, the required travel, the stresses I put upon myself because I’ve got responsibilities to others at the holidays.

I still manage to grumble from time to time, but it is so much less. Also, I take moments to be grateful for the whats and whos and circumstances of my life. I find that expressing that gratitude, in my journals, in my attitudes, and in my declarations of thanks to others brings me into the moment. It helps me acknowledge, even when things seem challenging, just how fortunate I am.