Stoic Solutions

Simple Steps to Tranquility. A Handbook of Stoic Principles to Overcome Mental Distress.

Non-Fiction - Grief/Hardship
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 11/22/2024
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite

Anxiety, stress, and depression plague modern society. We struggle to find true friends despite the opportunities offered by social media. We often feel lonely, isolated, and misunderstood. The lavish lifestyles advertised on TV and the internet are not affordable for everyone. As a result, we perceive ourselves as unaccomplished. How can we break the vicious circle of self-doubt and constant pressure? The philosophy of Stoicism has the answers to many burning questions of our time. Stoic principles have been helping people overcome difficulties since the distant past. So, let us develop the virtues of courage, wisdom, justice, and temperance to make our lives better. Motivational and self-help literature fans will enjoy Stoic Solutions by Ross Taosaka.

In Stoic Solutions, Ross Taosaka explains the ancient philosophy in simple terms. The author brilliantly conveys the main principles of Stoicism without overwhelming readers. Taosaka offers a survey of the history of Stoicism and shares fascinating facts about such prominent historical figures as Zeno, Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. The author offers convincing examples of contemporaries using the Stoic principles, like the award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey or Amazon's founder, Jeff Bezos. While the virtuous way of life seems hard and demanding, Taosaka allows us to see its undeniable benefits. The book inspires us to rethink our approach to adversity and gives hope to those dealing with fears and anxiety. Taosaka helps bring reason back to our decision-making process and motivates us to improve our outlook on life. Geoffrey Adams Clark adds his meaningful illustrations to the thought-provoking text. I highly recommend this book to all readers.

Pikasho Deka

Anxiety and stress have become an integral part of modern living for many people today. In this hectic age, the wisdom of Stoic principles has become more relevant than ever. Drawing from Stoic philosophy, Ross Taosaka offers readers powerful tools and insights to tackle today's overwhelming stress, anxiety, and fear with Stoic Solutions. In this book, you will discover the root causes of mental illnesses like depression as well as the psychological, emotional, physical, behavioral, and social consequences, and find ways to regain resiliency, control, calmness, and strength. The book further delves into embracing mindfulness through Stoicism, building resilience and courage, offering Stoic exercises for mental well-being, the four pillars of Stoicism, facing your fears, techniques for cultivating wisdom, practicing justice, fairness, empathy, and integrity, the steps for personal growth, enhancing overall well-being with Stoicism, and much more.

With Stoic Solutions, author Ross Taosaka seeks to incorporate the wisdom and knowledge found in Stoic philosophy into everyday life to combat the pitfalls of modern living and its mental, emotional, psychological, and behavioral impact on people. Additionally, the book takes a deep dive into nurturing physical health, cultivating emotional intelligence, practicing gratitude, maintaining work-life balance, building a support system, practicing self-care, embracing optimism, etc. You will also learn about daily Stoic practices, such as empathy and kindness, minimalism, mindful breathing, keeping a gratitude journal, and more to apply in your everyday life and enrich it further. Taosaka excels in making the book accessible and easy to read. The artwork by Geoffrey Adams Clark complements the text and makes it even more engaging for the reader. All in all, it's an enlightening book that will enhance your life. Highly recommended!

Leonard Smuts

Stoic philosophy dates back over 2,000 years to ancient Greece and Rome. Ross Taosaka introduces readers to its significant beliefs in Stoic Solutions: Simple Steps to Tranquility. He begins by explaining the principles and evolution of this school of thought, acquainting us with the main proponents including Epictetus, Seneca, and the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The general public often believes that stoicism is cold, cynical, or fatalistic, but this is far from the truth. Stoicism embraces a wide set of principles, the pillars of which are courage, wisdom, justice, and temperance. These can be characterized by perseverance, discernment, fairness, respect, self-control, balance, and moderation. The key is to understand what we can control and let go of the rest. These concepts are described in detail in the text, as well as the many benefits that flow from embodying them. These include improved mental and physical health, building resilience, cultivating wisdom and discernment, the ability to face challenges, as well as embracing “virtue as the highest good.” Practical advice and solutions abound.

Stoic Solutions is one of those rare books which is striking in its simplicity, yet is packed with profound messages and solutions to the issues we face daily. The notions explored are as rich in wisdom today as they were when formulated all those years ago. These can be applied to everyday living in fields as diverse as business, the military, sports, education, the public sector, and in improving health and well-being. Ross Taosaka has experience as a lawyer, social worker, massage therapist, and martial arts exponent, and adopts a holistic approach that is both relevant and life-changing. Stoicism is a philosophy, not a religion, but those following a spiritual path will recognize many common themes. The writing is informative, eloquent, and flows with the same sense of tranquility that the author promotes. This is a voyage of self-discovery and should be read with mindfulness. The book contains many quotations from the early philosophers and is illustrated with artwork by Geoffrey Adams Clark that complements the text admirably. This book should be read more than once, and the author invites readers to share it with others. Each section poses questions for readers and the book is rounded off with a list of references. It is an inspiring read and highly recommended.

Asher Syed

Stoic Solutions by Ross Taosaka is a philosophical self-help guide that begins with the rise of anxiety, fear, and depression in modern society, linking them to factors like digital overload and societal pressures. Taosaka champions applying Stoic principles such as mindfulness, resilience, and virtue to manage these issues. By focusing on controllable aspects like thoughts and actions, Taosaka assures readers they can mitigate external stress. He teaches us Stoic exercises like visualization and journaling to enhance mental well-being and speaks on aligning actions with personal values and nature to build resilience and wisdom. Readers are told how reflective practices improve decision-making, clarity, and emotional strength. Taosaka shares how Stoicism, through courage, justice, and temperance, offers actionable solutions for emotional regulation and resilience.

Stoic Solutions: Simple Steps to Tranquility by Ross Taosaka takes a somewhat complex philosophy and makes it comfortable. Taosaka's writing is accessible and he does an excellent job of offering both theoretical insights and actionable exercises that can be applied. This is critical since the ability to implement means the difference between success and failure, and Taosaka wants us all to succeed. What sets this book apart for me is Taosaka's focus on real-life examples and concrete steps for growth, which I found to be invaluable in my search for ways to reasonably manage and reduce levels of stress and anxiety. While deeply rooted in Stoic tradition, Taosaka’s approach is refreshingly modern, showing us how these ancient principles remain relevant in today’s fast-paced, often overwhelming world. Overall, this is an effective guide to creating a calmer, more purposeful life. Very highly recommended.

K.C. Finn

Stoic Solutions: Simple Steps to Tranquility by Ross Taosaka is a transformative guide that brings ancient Stoic wisdom into the modern world. Drawing from the teachings of Marcus Aurelius and Seneca, Taosaka creates a practical roadmap for those seeking mental clarity and emotional resilience in today's challenging environment. The book goes beyond simple philosophy, offering concrete strategies for managing stress, anxiety, and personal hardships through the lens of Stoic principles. Each chapter builds upon the last, creating a comprehensive framework for developing inner peace and psychological strength, while maintaining a focus on actionable steps that readers can implement in their daily lives. The author's approach makes these timeless teachings relevant to contemporary challenges, from workplace stress to personal relationships.

Author Ross Taosaka brings extraordinary clarity to complex philosophical concepts that I previously found intimidating. His writing style is refreshingly accessible and enthusiastic, breaking down ancient wisdom into practical, actionable guidance that resonates with modern readers. The integration of historical Stoic teachings with contemporary examples feels natural and relevant, helping readers see the timeless nature of these philosophical principles, and the organization of information helps with clarity and accessibility even more. Taosaka's encouraging and supportive tone creates a sense of companionship throughout, making you feel as though you have a wise friend guiding you through life's challenges. What particularly struck me was how he managed to maintain the profound depth of Stoic philosophy while presenting it in a way that felt immediately applicable to everyday situations, from managing workplace stress to dealing with a personal loss. Overall, Stoic Solutions: Simple Steps to Tranquility is an essential read for anyone seeking practical wisdom and emotional resilience in today's fast-paced world. I'd certainly recommend it as a great introduction to Stoicism.