Settle into your space Let your body find stillness, and gently close your eyes. Breathe deeply, letting the air flow naturally in and out. With each breath, allow your mind to soften, to quiet, to become fully present in this moment.

As you breathe, bring your awareness to the core teaching of Stoicism: the dichotomy of control.

Take a moment to reflect on what is truly within your control. Your thoughts, your choices, your desires, your aversions. These are the elements of life that belong entirely to you. As you breathe in, **affirm** your control over these internal experiences. Feel the empowerment of knowing that your response, your actions, your attitude are always yours to shape.

Inhale deeply… and with the exhale, let go of the idea that external things belong to you. Breathe out the illusion that you can control your body’s condition, your reputation, the opinions of others, or the outcomes of events. With each breath, release your attachment to the uncontrollable. Let these things drift away like leaves on a stream, flowing past without resistance.

Consider how often we are troubled by things we cannot change: the opinions of others, the unpredictability of life, the outcomes we wish to control. Yet the Stoics, Epictetus, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Chrysippus, Zeno of Citium, the original founder of stoicism, among the great historical figures of our school, invite us to see these things as they truly are—not our own, beyond our control.

Inhale deeply… and as you exhale, release the burden of trying to control what is not yours to control. Feel the freedom that comes from recognizing this truth. By letting go of the external, you free yourself from grief, frustration, and turmoil.

Now, imagine the things you often worry about—perhaps your reputation, your possessions, or how others see you. Picture them as objects placed outside of you, distant and separate. As you breathe, **acknowledge** that they are beyond your control. And in this recognition, feel the tension in your body begin to soften.

You are not bound by these things. You are not their servant. They do not own you, for they are not truly yours.

Instead, turn inward and focus on your guiding principle—your reason, your ability to choose how you respond to life. This is your fortress, your safe haven. No one can take it from you. No one can harm what is inside.

Inhale deeply, and with each exhale, remind yourself: “What is mine cannot be hindered.” Let this become your mantra:

What is mine cannot be hindered.

Feel the strength of your inner self growing, rooted in clarity and peace. What lies beyond your control may change, may be taken away, may fluctuate—but what is within you is yours alone. It is free, unhindered, untouched.

As we draw this meditation to a close, take a moment to appreciate the serenity that comes from embracing this truth. When you accept what is within your power and release what is not, you step into true freedom.

Gently, bring your awareness back to the present moment. Feel the weight of your body, the rhythm of your breath, and the peace within. Carry this understanding with you as you move through your day, grounded in the wisdom that your happiness lies in what is under your control, and nothing more.

Take one final, deep breath… and when you're ready, slowly open your eyes, carrying the calm, centered strength of this moment with you.

Take your time. The music will continue to guide you softly for a while. Take care, my friend. Stay steadfast on your Stoic journey, for freedom is always within your reach.