Stoic Mindfulness - 10 Minute Breath Meditation

This 10-minute Stoic breath meditation cultivates mindfulness and focus on the present moment. As Marcus Aurelius wrote, we must be virtuous "now, at this very moment."

Simple breath mindfulness trains our ability to notice when we become distracted and return our attention back to the breath, building the ability to live in the here and now. Each time we notice and refocus, we get a little better at mindfulness and a little better at Stoicism.

The goal is not to keep a perfectly clear mind, but rather to build the mindfulness muscle so we can meet all external events with equanimity. By repeatedly catching our attention drifting and guiding it back to the breath, we lays the groundwork for applying the rest of our Stoic principles in daily life. By learning to live in each emerging moment, we give ourselves the chance to respond to life's tests and trials with wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance.