Meditation on Happiness, Day 1: "The Path to Happiness with the Stoics" meditation series
Daily Meditation Podcast
Mary Meckley
4.1 ā¢ 1.5K Ratings
šļø 30 November 2025
ā±ļø 16 minutes
šļø Recording | iTunes | RSS
š§¾ļø Download transcript
Summary
We kick off our new series, The Path to Happiness with the Stoics, by exploring the absolute foundation of emotional freedom: the distinction between the internal and the external world.
So much of our daily exhaustion comes from carrying burdens that were never ours to holdāthe unpredictable future, the actions of others, or the natural flow of events. Today, we invite a sense of deep relief into our meditation. We will practice drawing a gentle line in the sand, separating what we can influence from what we must simply witness. This isn't about giving up; it is about focusing your energy where it actually matters.
ALL ABOUT THIS WEEK'S SERIES
Welcome to "The Path to Happiness with the Stoics."
Welcome to a new journey on the Daily Meditation Podcast. This week, we are walking The Path to Happiness with the Stoics.
When we think of "Stoicism," we often imagine a stiff upper lip or the suppression of emotion. But the ancient Stoicsāthinkers like Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetusāwere actually in pursuit of profound joy. They didn't seek the fleeting happiness of a sugar rush or a new purchase; they sought Eudaimonia (flourishing) and Ataraxia (unshakable tranquility).
This is day 1 of a 7-day meditation series, "The Path to Happiness with the Stoics,"Ā episodes 1164-1170.
Prepare to shift your perspective. Happiness is not something you chase; it is something you practice.
YOUR WEEKLY CHALLENGE:Ā "The Control Test"
This week, your challenge is to apply the "Control Test" to every moment of friction or anxiety you encounter. Whenever you feel stress rising, pause immediately and ask yourself: "Is this 100% within my control?" If the answer is no, practice visualizing yourself physically dropping the weight of that outcome, redirecting your energy solely toward your own attitude and response.
THIS WEEK'S MEDITATION JOURNEYĀ
SHARE YOUR MEDITATION JOURNEY WITH YOUR FELLOW MEDITATORS
Let's connect and inspire each other! Please share a little about how meditation has helped you by reaching out to me atĀ [email protected]Ā or better yet -- direct message me onĀ https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om. We'd love to hear about your meditation ritual!Ā
WAYS TO SUPPORT THE DAILY MEDITATION PODCAST
SUBSCRIBEĀ so you don't miss a single episode. Consistency is the KEY to a successful meditation ritual.
SHAREĀ the podcast with someone who could use a little extra support.
I'd be honored if you left me a podcast review. If you do, please email me atĀ [email protected]Ā and let me know a little about yourself and how meditation has helped you. I'd love to share your journey to inspire fellow meditators on the podcast!
All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email toĀ [email protected].
FOR DAILY EXTRA SUPPORT OUTSIDE THE PODCAST
Each day's meditation techniques are shared at:
- sip.and.omĀ InstagramĀ https://www.instagram.com/sip.and.om/
- sip and om Facebook
- https://www.facebook.com/SipandOm/
SIP AND OM MEDITATION APP
Looking for a little more support? If you're ready for a more in-depth meditation experience, allow Mary to guide you in daily 30-minute guided meditations on the Sip and Om meditation app. Give it a whirl for 7-days free! Receive access to 2,000+ 30-minute guided meditations customized around a weekly theme to help you manage emotions. Receive a Clarity Journal and a Slow Down Guide customized for each weekly theme.Ā
2-Week's Free Access on iOS
All meditations are created by Mary Meckley and are her original content. Please request permission to use any of Mary's content by sending an email toĀ [email protected].Let go of repetitive negative thoughts.
The beach waves were composed by Mike Koenig.
Music composed by Christopher Lloyd Clark licensed by RoyaltyFreeMusic.com, and also by musician Greg Keller.
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Welcome to episode 1,164 of your daily guided meditation. I'm Mary Meckley and I'm excited to share with you |
| 0:14.1 | a meditation series that goes along with the themes we've been exploring over the past few series. |
| 0:23.2 | And these are themes that have to do with how to use ancient techniques in the modern world to |
| 0:33.0 | deal with modern day stresses. And one thing that's been surprising about these techniques that I've been sharing about |
| 0:41.6 | ancient Roman techniques is how similar they are to meditation philosophy, especially in |
| 0:49.1 | the way you set yourself up to meditate, where you straighten your your spine you focus on your gaze you have a strong |
| 1:00.3 | gaze in meditation it's uplifted to uplift you to your highest state and your gaze in roman times |
| 1:09.6 | was to show your valor, show your honor, and your facial relaxation, being able to express composure and relaxing your hands and your body. |
| 1:29.6 | So all of this is pulled together to allow you to attain your highest. |
| 1:38.8 | In Roman society, people were able to advance through a very regimented type of social structure simply by, |
| 1:50.2 | not actually simply, because it took an enormous amount of discipline to compose yourself |
| 1:57.9 | in such a way that you evoked confidence and inspiration, how you used your voice, |
| 2:04.7 | the words you speak, the thoughts you think. It was all tied in together. There was no room for |
| 2:13.2 | error in Roman times. It was all about excellence. And so people trained to become so disciplined |
| 2:23.4 | in how they presented themselves. So you here this week, I am sharing with you the meditation series that I created when I was actually in Rome. |
| 2:40.6 | And this is a favorite series. |
| 2:44.0 | I remember recording it and I would be sightseeing and touring with my family all day. |
| 2:50.1 | And I was exhausted yet I |
| 2:53.6 | recorded and it was so important for me to record every day and to share with you my experiences |
| 3:03.5 | there in Rome along with the ancient Roman Stoics. |
| 3:09.7 | And you'll hear about Marcus Aurelius. |
| 3:12.8 | I know he is a favorite Stoic, the world over. |
... |
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