Ancient Philosophy

The Tao Te Ching is a series of meditations on the mysterious nature of the Tao—the Way, the guiding light, the very source of all existence. According to Lao Tzu (a name meaning "the old master"), the Tao is found where we would least expect it—not in the strong but in the weak; not in speech but in silence; not in doing but in "not-doing."

From the moderator of The New York Times philosophy blog "The Stone", an audiobook that argues that if we want to understand ourselves, we have to go back to theater, to the stage of our lives.

Modern Physics and Ancient Faith argues that the great discoveries of modern physics are more compatible with the central teachings of Christianity and Judaism about God, the cosmos, and the human soul than with the atheistic viewpoint of scientific materialism.

Do you want to discover the unspoken truths about Yoga Sutras? Are you ready to observe the world of meditation from a new point of view? Let yourself be abandoned by this Guide and everything will be clearer to you! The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali has long been shrouded in mystery and confusion. That’s because existing translations rely on confusing language and outdated interpretations. The process can be so frustrating that it seems that only yoga instructors or dedicated gurus are committed to studying this ancient text, the Yoga Sutras.

Since 1908, The Kybalion has served as a study of basic Hermetic teachings that outline an ageless wisdom and touch upon the inner workings of nature. In ancient times and even today, these teachings were not understood by the lay person, but were readily understood by students after the axioms and principles had been explained and exemplified by the Hermetic Initiates and Masters to their Neophytes. An occult classic, this edition of The Kybalion is prefaced with an intriguing and thought-provoking foreword by Summum.

Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius was the final famous Stoic philosopher of the ancient world. The Meditations, his personal journal, survives to this day as one of the most loved self-help and spiritual classics of all time. In How to Think Like a Roman Emperor, psychotherapist Donald Robertson weaves stories of Marcus’s life from the Roman histories together with explanations of Stoicism—its philosophy and its psychology—to enlighten today’s listeners. He discusses Stoic techniques for coping with everyday problems, from irrational fears and bad habits to anger, pain, and illness.

The foundations of modern knowledge - philosophy, math, astronomy, geography - were laid by the Greeks, whose ideas were written on scrolls and stored in libraries across the Mediterranean and beyond. But as the vast Roman Empire disintegrated, so did appreciation of these precious texts. Christianity cast a shadow over so-called pagan thought, books were burned, and the library of Alexandria, the greatest repository of classical knowledge, was destroyed. Yet some texts did survive and The Map of Knowledge explores the role played by seven cities around the Mediterranean....

Whenever we worry about what to eat, how to love, or simply how to be happy, we are worrying about how to lead a good life. No goal is more elusive. In How to Be a Stoic, philosopher Massimo Pigliucci offers Stoicism, the ancient philosophy that inspired the great emperor Marcus Aurelius, as the best way to attain it. Stoicism is a pragmatic philosophy that teaches us to act depending on what is within our control and separate things worth getting upset about from those that are not.

Why You Think the Way You Do traces the development of the worldviews that underpin the Western world. Professor and historian Glenn S. Sunshine demonstrates the decisive impact that the growth of Christianity had in transforming the outlook of pagan Roman culture into one that—based on biblical concepts of humanity and its relationship with God—established virtually all the positive aspects of Western civilization.

Discover the Blueprint for a Life Worth Living For over two thousand years, Aristotle’s Eudemian Ethics has guided thinkers, leaders, and seekers on the path to true fulfillment. Now, The Eudemian Ethics for Beginners makes this profound philosophy accessible to everyone, breaking down complex ideas into actionable steps for living a life of purpose, virtue, and balance. What’s inside this transformative guide? A clear and engaging introduction to Aristotle’s timeless wisdom—no philosophy degree required. Practical insights into his concept of eudaimonia, the ultimate goal of human ...

The Athenian court has found Socrates guilty and sentenced him to death. While he is waiting to be executed, his friend, Crito, comes to the prison to persuade him to escape and go into exile. Socrates responds by examining the essence of law and community, probing the various kinds of law and making distinctions that go far beyond the particular issue of whether or not Socrates should escape.

This famous work by Lucretius is a masterpiece of didactic poetry, and it still stands today as the finest exposition of Epicurean philosophy ever written. The poem was produced in the middle of first century B.C., a period that was to witness a flowering of Latin literature unequaled for beauty and intellectual power in subsequent ages. The Latin title, De Rerum Natura, translates literally to On the Nature of Things and is meant to impress the reader with the breadth and depth of Epicurean philosophy.

Dive into the esoteric realms of ancient wisdom with "The Kybalion: A Study of The Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece" by The Three Initiates. Unveiling the profound teachings of Hermeticism, this timeless guide invites listeners to explore the hidden principles that have influenced mystics, philosophers, and seekers of knowledge for centuries.

Why is it always hard to fall asleep the night before an important meeting? Or be charming and relaxed on a first date? What is it about a politician who seems wooden or a comedian whose jokes fall flat or an athlete who chokes? In all of these cases, striving seems to backfire. In Trying Not To Try, Edward Slingerland explains why we find spontaneity so elusive, and shows how early Chinese thought points the way to happier, more authentic lives.

The Trial and the Death of Socrates remains a powerful document not least because it gives a first-hand account of the end of one of the greatest figures in history.

In Apology, Socrates defends himself before the Athenian court against charges of corrupting youth. Phaedo is the account by a young man of the actual last words and moments of Socrates.

In the vast expanse of human consciousness, a realm exists where the boundaries between reality and illusion blur, leading us astray from our true path to happiness. This transformative book draws on the ancient wisdom of mindfulness to serve as your guide back to the path of conscious living. Through mindful awareness, we illuminate the darkness, clearing the emotional dust from our soul's mirror to reveal the world and ourselves with newfound clarity. Mindfulness teaches us that the mind's flexibility is the key to our liberation. As we explore the practice, we learn the art of unlearning...

Explore the captivating history and mythology of three ancient civilizations. Three captivating manuscripts in one audiobook! In the first part of this captivating guide, you will discover why Maya have gained such worldwide admiration over the many other civilizations that existed in Mesoamerica at the time. You will learn how the Maya civilization developed, the major turning points in their 3,000-year-long history, the mysteries surrounding their demise, some of the unique places where Maya exist to this day, and much more!

Are you burdened by the pressures of modern life? Do you seek practical ways to manage your emotions and stress? Yearning for a deeper understanding of Stoic philosophy to navigate life's challenges? If you answered "yes," you're not alone. Our fast-paced world often leaves us feeling lost and disconnected. But there’s a path to peace and purpose, even amidst daily chaos. This guide empowers you to apply ancient Stoic principles to overcome contemporary challenges and discover inner peace.

This simplistic and ingenious allegory from one of the fathers of Western philosophy casts light on society’s naiveté and ignorance.

The I Ching, or Book of Change, has been consulted through the ages, in both China and the West, for answers to fundamental questions about the world and our place in it. The oldest extant book of divination, it dates back 3,000 years to ancient shamanistic practices involving the ritual preparation of the shoulder bones of oxen. From this early form of communication with the other world, it has become the Chinese spiritual book par excellence.