ORLANDO STOICS

In our world of instant gratification and endless distraction, Stoicism offers a solution to focus the mind and calm the body. Founded by Zeno in Greece in 300 BC, Stoicism helps people cope with life's stresses and retain your ethics & principles. We can also simplify our lives by using concepts from Buddhism and Minimalism. This meetup group has discussion groups on Mondays and Fridays, plus sometimes on Saturdays and Sundays. Monday nights are 'wildcard' night, with a variety of topics in Stoicism and other areas in Philosophy, like Ontology and Existentialism, plus we also discuss great minds like Montaigne, Nietsche, Schopenhauer. Friday nights are Stoic 'practice', where we review modern books in Stoicism. All meetings have no requirements, and reading in advance is optional. StoicDan provides outlines of the major discussion points. This is a secular, non-religious group. In addition, if you'd like to attend StoicDan's local lectures in philosophy, join this group because the lectures are all posted here. This group is 7 years old and 1700+ members. Signing up is free, and all meetings are free. Your only obligation is to learn something new! Visit our Meetup Site for upcoming events.

TAMPA STOICS

We review the ancient Stoic books by Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus. Their timeless wisdom helps people today in avoiding anger, increasing focus, and building community. If you like philosophical discussions, this is the group for you! Note that this group meets in-person once a month. The location is Panera Cafe near USF in Tampa. We also offer a monthly walking meditation (on the Causeway Trail). If you attend the discussions, reading in advance is optional. The host provides outlines of the major discussion points. This is a secular, non-religious group. This group is 3+ years old (started Nov. 10, 2017) and has 500+ members. Signing up is free, and all meetings are free. If you know a teacher or student at USF who's interested, please bring them along to a meeting! All are welcome. Visit our Meetup Site for upcoming events.

EMERSON & THOREAU DISCUSSION GROUP

We review the books and essays of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. They were American Transcendentalists in the 1800s, and their ideas related to individualism, self-reliance, and nonconformity in society. In their time, Emerson and Thoreau were reacting to the intellectual landscape and the pressures of their society (they lived in Concord, Massachusetts). Their ideas also influenced the Unitarian movement. Today, the wisdom of Emerson and Thoreau is still powerful, due to society's increasing pressures. You may also enjoy our meetings if you like Minimalism, nature, and the natural beauty of our world. Emerson is best known for his essays: First Series and Second Series. Thoreau is remembered for his book Walden and his essays with transcendental ideas. Both authors were influenced by Kant, Hume, Swedenborg, plus ancient Stoic and Hindu texts (we often connect to these and other philosophical ideas in our discussions). Our monthly meeting is the First Thursday of the month. Reading in advance is optional. StoicDan provides outlines of the major discussion points. This is a secular, non-religious group. Signing up is free, and all meetings are free. If you know a teacher or student at UCF who's interested in philosophy, please invite them! Anyone can join. Visit our Meetup Site for upcoming events.

STOICS OF DAYTONA BEACH

We discuss the classic and modern books on Stoicism. Classic books are Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, Letters from a Stoic by Seneca, and The Enchiridion by Epictetus. Modern Stoicism books are by William Irvine, Massimo Pigliucci, Donald Robertson, Chris Gill, Chuck Chakrapani, and John Sellars. Stoicism today helps people avoid anger, increase focus, and build community. Stoicism also appeals to Space Coast / NASA / Embry-Riddle / aeronautical folks. If you like philosophical discussions about life, please join us! Stoicism was founded by Zeno in Greece in 300 BC, and it helps people cope with life's stresses while retaining your ethics & principles. Reading in advance is optional. StoicDan provides outlines of the major discussion points. This group is over 2 year old (formed Aug. 8, 2019) and has 150+ members. This is a secular, non-religious group. Signing up is free, and all meetings are free. Visit our Meetup Site for upcoming events.

MODERN BUDDHISM

This is StoicDan's philosophy discussion group for Western Buddhism. We cover Secular Buddhism, Humanistic Buddhism, Chan, Zen, and other varieties. This group discusses the practical side of this wisdom. Also, if you are familiar with StoicDan's other groups, the meeting format is open. An introduction is given, but the group reads insightful quotes together and shares their experiences. This is not a lecture. The overall goal is to discuss the Buddhist concepts together and learn from each other. It's also encouraged to link concepts to other branches of philosophy, events in history, and pop culture. All meetings are free and open to the public. Reading in advance is optional. StoicDan provides outlines of the major discussion points. Signing up is free, and all meetings are free. If you know a friend who likes deep conversations about life and philosophy, please invite them to our meeting! Visit our Meetup Site for upcoming events.

MODERN MINIMALISM

This is StoicDan's philosophy group on Minimalism. You have many articles and blogs on Minimalism, but this is the discussion group that allows people to freely exchange ideas. Influenced by Thoreau in the 1800s and other philosophers, this is a modern movement that encourages us to "live with less". You can reduce your possessions and be more purposeful. Minimalism also helps you manage your time better. Like StoicDan's other groups, the meeting format is not a lecture format. An introduction is offered for a few minutes, but then the group reads and learns from each other. You can also choose to be silent. Reading in advance is optional. All meetings are free. If you have friends with curious minds, please invite them! Visit our Meetup Site for upcoming events.

SOCRATES CAFE

StoicDan has stepped-up to be organizer of this long-running philosophy group in Tampa. They used to meet once monthly on a Saturday, now they meet twice a month. Topics will include many fields in Science, Psychology, and Philosophy. This meeting is designed for the curious mind, while also allowing civil discourse and intellectual deep thinking. Like StoicDan's other groups, this meeting is not a lecture; instead, it allows for group participation and discussion. We learn from each other and build a community. Reading in advance is optional. All meetings are free. If you have friends, please invite them! Visit our Meetup Site for upcoming events.

Copenhagen Stoics

StoicDan worked with the founders of this group to help format the meetings and provide ideas for discussion topics.

Minnesota Stoics

StoicDan is working with members of this group to create new topics for group discussions and alternate ways to engage the public in philosophy discussions.

Tucson Stoics

StoicDan and the organizers of this group shared success stories in 2020. Our goals were to provide better learning experiences in meetings and generating ways to improve Stoic practices over time.

Atlanta Stoics

StoicDan worked with the organizers of this group in 2021 to re-launch regular monthly meetings and new ideas for discussion topics.

Stoic Salon / UK

In 2021, StoicDan presented a series of lectures at the Stoic Salon on Sunday afternoons (3PM Eastern, 8PM GMT). The series was based on the recent Ryan Holiday book "The Lives of the Stoics", but adds some of StoicDan's additional research. Some lectures were co-written by Dr. Jerry Everard of Australia. The goal was to connect the wisdom of these ancient Stoics to the Modern Stoicism movement. These free events were posted at Orlando Stoics, and videos are posted on the YouTube playlist for Dan's Lectures..

Stoics of Himalaya / Nepal

StoicDan presented a series of talks at the group 'Stoics of Himalaya' on Sundays (from Sept. 2021 to Jan. 2022). The group is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. Participants are from Nepal, India, and other countries (the meeting is in English). Using the Clubhouse app instead of Zoom, the meeting started Sundays at 10:45AM Eastern time (or 8:30PM Nepal time). The series covers popular topics in Stoicism like discipline, the virtues, dealing with difficulty, and mindfulness. These free events were posted at Orlando Stoics, but no recordings were made, due to community rules of the Clubhouse app.