The Stoic HypnotistEpictetus was born into slavery around 50 CE in Hierapolis, in what is now Turkey. He had little control over his body, his work, or his future. Yet he became one of the most influential teachers of freedom in history, arguing that the most important freedom of all, freedom of mind, was available to everyone.
His teachings were recorded by his student Arrian, including a short handbook called the Enchiridion, a word often translated as "handbook" or "something held in the hand." It was meant to be kept close and consulted often. Here's a guide to Epictetus and his most practical lessons.
Who was Epictetus?
As a young man, Epictetus was enslaved in Rome, where he was able to study Stoic philosophy. He was later freed and began teaching. When the emperor Domitian expelled philosophers from Rome, Epictetus moved to Nicopolis in Greece, where he ran a school that attracted students from across the empire.
He's said to have lived simply and to have had a lame leg, possibly from mistreatment while enslaved. His life gave him firsthand experience of how little control we sometimes have over our circumstances, and his philosophy grew from that experience.
The opening lesson
The Enchiridion begins with its most famous idea:
Of things some are in our power, and others are not.
— Epictetus
In our power, Epictetus says, are our opinions, desires, aversions, and actions: our own inner choices. Not in our power are our bodies, property, reputation, and position. Trouble comes when we treat what isn't ours as if it were, and try to control what we can't. My post on the dichotomy of control explores this in depth.
Key lessons of the Enchiridion
We're disturbed by our judgments
Men are disturbed not by the things which happen, but by the opinions about the things.
— Epictetus
This is perhaps the central insight of Stoic psychology, and it's closely echoed in modern cognitive approaches. Events happen. Our judgments about them create much of our distress. Change the judgment, and the distress can change too. My post on cognitive reframing shows how this works in practice.
Examine your impressions
Epictetus taught his students to pause before accepting an impression and to test it: is this something within my control or not? If not, he advised, be ready to say, "It is nothing to me."
Life as a banquet
He compared life to a banquet. When a dish is passed to you, take a modest portion. If it passes you by, don't grab for it. If it hasn't reached you yet, wait patiently. It's a gentle image of contentment and patience.
Handling insults
Epictetus suggested that if someone tells you another person has spoken badly of you, you might simply reply that they must not know your other faults, or they would have mentioned those too. Humor and humility take the sting out of criticism. My post on Stoicism and criticism builds on this.
Progress over perfection
He reminded students that making progress may mean looking foolish to others for a while. The aim is improvement in your own judgments and actions, not the approval of people around you.
Why the Enchiridion is so useful
Unlike longer philosophical works, the Enchiridion is short and practical. You can read it in an hour, and you can return to it for a lifetime. Each section is essentially an exercise: a reminder of how to think or act in a particular situation.
Its influence has been wide. Over the centuries, its ideas have inspired many readers, and they are often cited as a forerunner of modern cognitive approaches to emotion.
How to use it
- Read one section a day. Most are only a few lines long.
- Choose one lesson for the week. Practice applying it in daily situations.
- Keep it close. Epictetus meant it to be carried. A pocket copy or a note on your phone works well.
- Review in the evening. Ask where you applied the lesson and where you forgot. My post on Stoic journaling explains this practice.
Epictetus on freedom
Freedom was Epictetus' great theme, which is striking given his early life. He argued that no one can enslave your judgment, and that people who chase wealth, fame, or approval often make themselves less free than any servant, because their happiness depends on things outside their control. For him, freedom was an inner achievement, built through practice, and open to anyone.
From philosophy to practice
Epictetus insisted that philosophy must be lived, not just discussed. He criticized students who could quote the books but couldn't stay calm when something went wrong. Knowing the ideas is the start; practicing them under pressure is the real work.
In my sessions, I combine Stoic principles like Epictetus' with hypnosis and NLP, so you can rehearse them in a calm, focused state and carry them into real life. You can read more in Stoicism 101 or see how sessions work on the sessions page.