1. Home
    1. Start Here: Study Guide
    2. Community Standards And Posting Policies
    3. Terms of Use
    4. Moderator Team
    5. Site Map
    6. Quizzes
    7. Articles
      1. Featured Articles
    8. All Blog Posts
      1. Elli's Blog / Articles
  2. Wiki
    1. Wiki Home
    2. FAQ
    3. Classical Epicureanism
    4. Physics Wiki
    5. Canonics Wiki
    6. Ethics Wiki
    7. Search Assistance
    8. Not NeoEpicurean
    9. Foundations
    10. Navigation Outlines
    11. Key Pages
  3. Forum
    1. Full Forum List
    2. Welcome Threads
    3. Physics
    4. Canonics
    5. Ethics
    6. Uncategorized Forum
    7. Study Resources Forum
    8. Ancient Texts Forum
    9. Shortcuts
    10. Featured
    11. Most Discussed
  4. Latest
    1. New Activity
    2. Latest Threads
    3. Dashboard
    4. Search By Tag
    5. Complete Tag List
  5. Podcast
    1. Lucretius Today Podcast
    2. Episode Guide
    3. Lucretius Today At Youtube
    4. EpicureanFriends Youtube Page
  6. Texts
    1. Overview
    2. Diogenes Laertius
    3. Principal Doctrines
    4. Vatican Sayings
    5. Lucretius
    6. Herodotus
    7. Pythocles
    8. Menoeceus
    9. Fragments - Usener Collection
    10. Torquatus On Ethics
    11. Velleius On Gods
    12. Greek/Latin Help
  7. Gallery
    1. Featured images
    2. Albums
    3. Latest Images
    4. Latest Comments
  8. Calendar
    1. Upcoming Events List
    2. Zoom Meetings
    3. This Month
    4. Sunday Zoom Meetings
    5. First Monday Zoom Meetings
    6. Wednesday Zoom Meeting
    7. Twentieth Zoom Meetings
    8. Zoom Meetings
  9. Other
    1. Featured Content
    2. Blog Posts
    3. Files
    4. Logbook
    5. EF ToDo List
    6. Link-Database
  • Login
  • Register
  • Search
This Thread
  • Everywhere
  • This Thread
  • This Forum
  • Forum
  • Articles
  • Blog Articles
  • Files
  • Gallery
  • Events
  • Pages
  • Wiki
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • More Options

Welcome To EpicureanFriends.com!

"Remember that you are mortal, and you have a limited time to live, and in devoting yourself to discussion of the nature of time and eternity you have seen things that have been, are now, and are to come."

Sign In Now
or
Register a new account
  1. Home
    1. Start Here: Study Guide
    2. Community Standards And Posting Policies
    3. Terms of Use
    4. Moderator Team
    5. Site Map
    6. Quizzes
    7. Articles
      1. Featured Articles
    8. All Blog Posts
      1. Elli's Blog / Articles
  2. Wiki
    1. Wiki Home
    2. FAQ
    3. Classical Epicureanism
    4. Physics Wiki
    5. Canonics Wiki
    6. Ethics Wiki
    7. Search Assistance
    8. Not NeoEpicurean
    9. Foundations
    10. Navigation Outlines
    11. Key Pages
  3. Forum
    1. Full Forum List
    2. Welcome Threads
    3. Physics
    4. Canonics
    5. Ethics
    6. Uncategorized Forum
    7. Study Resources Forum
    8. Ancient Texts Forum
    9. Shortcuts
    10. Featured
    11. Most Discussed
  4. Latest
    1. New Activity
    2. Latest Threads
    3. Dashboard
    4. Search By Tag
    5. Complete Tag List
  5. Podcast
    1. Lucretius Today Podcast
    2. Episode Guide
    3. Lucretius Today At Youtube
    4. EpicureanFriends Youtube Page
  6. Texts
    1. Overview
    2. Diogenes Laertius
    3. Principal Doctrines
    4. Vatican Sayings
    5. Lucretius
    6. Herodotus
    7. Pythocles
    8. Menoeceus
    9. Fragments - Usener Collection
    10. Torquatus On Ethics
    11. Velleius On Gods
    12. Greek/Latin Help
  7. Gallery
    1. Featured images
    2. Albums
    3. Latest Images
    4. Latest Comments
  8. Calendar
    1. Upcoming Events List
    2. Zoom Meetings
    3. This Month
    4. Sunday Zoom Meetings
    5. First Monday Zoom Meetings
    6. Wednesday Zoom Meeting
    7. Twentieth Zoom Meetings
    8. Zoom Meetings
  9. Other
    1. Featured Content
    2. Blog Posts
    3. Files
    4. Logbook
    5. EF ToDo List
    6. Link-Database
  1. Home
    1. Start Here: Study Guide
    2. Community Standards And Posting Policies
    3. Terms of Use
    4. Moderator Team
    5. Site Map
    6. Quizzes
    7. Articles
      1. Featured Articles
    8. All Blog Posts
      1. Elli's Blog / Articles
  2. Wiki
    1. Wiki Home
    2. FAQ
    3. Classical Epicureanism
    4. Physics Wiki
    5. Canonics Wiki
    6. Ethics Wiki
    7. Search Assistance
    8. Not NeoEpicurean
    9. Foundations
    10. Navigation Outlines
    11. Key Pages
  3. Forum
    1. Full Forum List
    2. Welcome Threads
    3. Physics
    4. Canonics
    5. Ethics
    6. Uncategorized Forum
    7. Study Resources Forum
    8. Ancient Texts Forum
    9. Shortcuts
    10. Featured
    11. Most Discussed
  4. Latest
    1. New Activity
    2. Latest Threads
    3. Dashboard
    4. Search By Tag
    5. Complete Tag List
  5. Podcast
    1. Lucretius Today Podcast
    2. Episode Guide
    3. Lucretius Today At Youtube
    4. EpicureanFriends Youtube Page
  6. Texts
    1. Overview
    2. Diogenes Laertius
    3. Principal Doctrines
    4. Vatican Sayings
    5. Lucretius
    6. Herodotus
    7. Pythocles
    8. Menoeceus
    9. Fragments - Usener Collection
    10. Torquatus On Ethics
    11. Velleius On Gods
    12. Greek/Latin Help
  7. Gallery
    1. Featured images
    2. Albums
    3. Latest Images
    4. Latest Comments
  8. Calendar
    1. Upcoming Events List
    2. Zoom Meetings
    3. This Month
    4. Sunday Zoom Meetings
    5. First Monday Zoom Meetings
    6. Wednesday Zoom Meeting
    7. Twentieth Zoom Meetings
    8. Zoom Meetings
  9. Other
    1. Featured Content
    2. Blog Posts
    3. Files
    4. Logbook
    5. EF ToDo List
    6. Link-Database
  1. EpicureanFriends - Home of Classical Epicurean Philosophy
  2. Forum
  3. Ethics - How To Live
  4. Epicurean Life Strategies for Modern Times
  • Sidebar
  • Sidebar

Practicing Epicureanism

  • JAWS
  • August 2, 2018 at 8:59 AM
  • Go to last post

We are now requiring that new registrants confirm their request for an account by email.  Once you complete the "Sign Up" process to set up your user name and password, please send an email to the New Accounts Administator to obtain new account approval.

Regularly Checking In On A Small Screen Device? Bookmark THIS page!
  • JAWS
    03 - Level Three
    Points
    113
    Posts
    15
    • August 2, 2018 at 8:59 AM
    • #1

    How do you “practice” Epicureanism on a daily basis? I ask because I recently got really busy and haven’t spent any time reading Epicurus. It feels refreshing to finally have some time to get back to it, but I would like ideas for things I can do so that in the future I can keep it in the front of my mind even if I don’t have time to spend with it.

    Thanks, everybody!

  • Online
    Cassius
    05 - Administrator
    Points
    106,206
    Posts
    14,552
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    100.0 %
    • August 2, 2018 at 10:11 AM
    • #2

    Hi JAWS and good to hear from you. This is a good general question that people can give input on over time, and what I am about to say may be too specific to me (as a "blogger") and time-limited, but it's on my mind:

    (1) In general, I keep up my reading by regularly going back over some of the core material, such as Lucretius and the Diogenes Laertius biography. I don't like to get too focused on the commentaries because I want to make up my own mind about what it means. Continuing to re-read the original texts reminds me that these were real people who lived this and not just professional pundits like we have today.

    (2) Another thing that keeps all this real to me is to stay in touch with others on the internet. This is the department where I am not happy with the current situation. I don't think Facebook is really productive, but we don't have enough "critical mass" here on this forum yet - hopefully that will change but frequency of people posting isn't nearly as much as I would like to see. I doubt that will change until there is more "live" activity through audio interaction -- that can be saved and videos added to youtube and that will generate more interest over time, but we're not there yet.

    (3) Those first two comments may not seem to address "practicing" Epicurean philosophy but in my case I do see it that way. Studying and discussing the philosophy is enjoyable in itself, and it's not necessary just to see Epicureanism as justification for a life of fishing and surfboarding (for example). For me, the activity or working together with people to promote the Epicurean outlook is just about all the reward I need.

    (4) You probably saw we've had several recent threads about "politics." I do think that "practicing" Epicurean philosophy means applying it to real life, and I think an important part of that is working together with other people, not just reading about it and using it personally to relieve personal anxieties and assist in personal planning. I see those as very important, but I also think that the way events have evolved (over the long term of centuries, I mean) people who think in Epicurean terms have been marginalized to the fringes of society, and I think it's time to "push back" ;) I intend to continue to explore ways to do that both online and in "local" ways, and frankly I expect that study and effort to be among the most rewarding ways to "practice" Epicurean philosophy.

  • Online
    Cassius
    05 - Administrator
    Points
    106,206
    Posts
    14,552
    Quizzes
    9
    Quiz rate
    100.0 %
    • August 2, 2018 at 10:14 AM
    • #3

    To continue that last thought, my concern is that we are sort of "spread too thin" in our current internet efforts, or maybe worse, my concern is that Epicurean philosophy has been so intellectualized due to prevailing Stoic/Platonic attitudes that we don't even understand anymore what has been lost. The idea that spending all our time intellectualizing and debating fine points of the philosophy without actually taking any realistic steps to apply it is probably something Epicurus would find appalling, and would see as the victory of his main opponents.

  • Martin
    04 - Moderator
    Points
    4,253
    Posts
    601
    Quizzes
    7
    Quiz rate
    85.9 %
    • August 2, 2018 at 11:51 AM
    • #4

    Examples how to “practice” Epicureanism on a daily basis are:

    - Consciously apply hedonic calculus in decisions what spare time activities to do and what to buy, eat or drink

    - Unless you are already overwhelmed with invitations from friends, ask friends to meet

    - Try making friends with people who you regularly encounter and avoid making enemies

    - Pay attention when you get increasingly angry about somebody or something, analyze the reasons and do not foster that anger further. Instead, just acknowledge that you got angry and get over it by focusing on something else, e.g. work, activities toward pleasure or recalling good memories. (If the rationale that anger is usually detrimental to pleasure is not enough and you find it difficult to wind down upcoming anger early, Buddhist wisdom traditions provide good techniques which are compatible with Epicurus' philosophy if you just apply the techniques and ignore the false metaphysics and other dead ends of Buddhism like killing off desire with some imaginary state of selflessness.)

    - Focus on enjoying what you have already and do not let your desire for what you not (yet) have spoil that joy

    - Do not take meals for granted as a subconscious side activity but consciously indulge in the pleasure which comes with eating. (Paradoxically, this may help limiting the food intake to a healthy amount).

  • Hiram
    02 - Level Two
    Points
    4,082
    Posts
    579
    Quizzes
    1
    Quiz rate
    88.9 %
    • August 2, 2018 at 12:24 PM
    • #5

    In my book Tending the Epicurean Garden I discuss many ideas on planning and developing your hedonic regimen. These include laughter therapy, exercise, love-making, cooking and eating. I also delve into research on contemplation and meditation. I may expand that if there's ever a new edition, adding elements of the Nordic hygge lifestyle.

    The Cyrenaics had a practice known as "presentism" which was zen-like and involved being fully present for the pleasures made available by nature in the moment. But Epicurus expanded this. The sanctioned practices in our sources include reminiscing about past pleasures and anticipating future ones.

    The Epicureans also engaged in memorization / repetition of key teachings so that they would "become strong" in the psyche, and had other therapeutic practices (in the scroll on anger, Philodemus discusses "seeing before your eyes", for instance).

    Also, hanging out with friends and enjoying friendship and familiarity with others is one of the most important and easiest sources of pleasure.

    "Please always remember my doctrines!" - Epicurus' last words

  • Martin
    04 - Moderator
    Points
    4,253
    Posts
    601
    Quizzes
    7
    Quiz rate
    85.9 %
    • August 3, 2018 at 9:09 AM
    • #6

    Hiram's book is indeed a good resource for how to practice Epicureanism on a daily basis.

  • JAWS
    03 - Level Three
    Points
    113
    Posts
    15
    • August 3, 2018 at 9:49 AM
    • #7

    These are all excellent! Thank you!

  • Kalosyni February 19, 2023 at 5:55 PM

    Moved the thread from forum General Discussion And Navigation to forum Daily Life As An Epicurean.

Unread Threads

    1. Title
    2. Replies
    3. Last Reply
    1. Immutability of Epicurean school in ancient times 15

      • Thanks 1
      • TauPhi
      • July 28, 2025 at 8:44 PM
      • Uncategorized Discussion (General)
      • TauPhi
      • September 10, 2025 at 7:08 AM
    2. Replies
      15
      Views
      6.6k
      15
    3. Cassius

      September 10, 2025 at 7:08 AM
    1. Boris Nikolsky - Article On His Interest in Classical Philosophy (Original In Russian) 1

      • Thanks 1
      • Cassius
      • September 6, 2025 at 5:21 PM
      • Articles Prepared By Professional Academics
      • Cassius
      • September 8, 2025 at 10:37 AM
    2. Replies
      1
      Views
      3.3k
      1
    3. Cassius

      September 8, 2025 at 10:37 AM
    1. Boris Nikolsky's 2023 Summary Of His Thesis About Epicurus On Pleasure (From "Knife" Magazine)

      • Cassius
      • September 6, 2025 at 5:32 PM
      • Articles Prepared By Professional Academics
      • Cassius
      • September 6, 2025 at 5:32 PM
    2. Replies
      0
      Views
      2.2k
    1. Edward Abbey - My Favorite Quotes 4

      • Love 4
      • Joshua
      • July 11, 2019 at 7:57 PM
      • Uncategorized Discussion (General)
      • Joshua
      • August 31, 2025 at 1:02 PM
    2. Replies
      4
      Views
      6.8k
      4
    3. SillyApe

      August 31, 2025 at 1:02 PM
    1. A Question About Hobbes From Facebook

      • Cassius
      • August 24, 2025 at 9:11 AM
      • Uncategorized Discussion (General)
      • Cassius
      • August 24, 2025 at 9:11 AM
    2. Replies
      0
      Views
      2.8k

Finding Things At EpicureanFriends.com

What's the best strategy for finding things on EpicureanFriends.com? Here's a suggested search strategy:

  • First, familiarize yourself with the list of forums. The best way to find threads related to a particular topic is to look in the relevant forum. Over the years most people have tried to start threads according to forum topic, and we regularly move threads from our "general discussion" area over to forums with more descriptive titles.
  • Use the "Search" facility at the top right of every page. Note that the search box asks you what section of the forum you'd like to search. If you don't know, select "Everywhere." Also check the "Search Assistance" page.
  • Use the "Tag" facility, starting with the "Key Tags By Topic" in the right hand navigation pane, or using the "Search By Tag" page, or the "Tag Overview" page which contains a list of all tags alphabetically. We curate the available tags to keep them to a manageable number that is descriptive of frequently-searched topics.

Frequently Used Forums

  • Frequently Asked / Introductory Questions
  • News And Announcements
  • Lucretius Today Podcast
  • Physics (The Nature of the Universe)
  • Canonics (The Tests Of Truth)
  • Ethics (How To Live)
  • Against Determinism
  • Against Skepticism
  • The "Meaning of Life" Question
  • Uncategorized Discussion
  • Comparisons With Other Philosophies
  • Historical Figures
  • Ancient Texts
  • Decline of The Ancient Epicurean Age
  • Unsolved Questions of Epicurean History
  • Welcome New Participants
  • Events - Activism - Outreach
  • Full Forum List

Latest Posts

  • Episode 298 - TD26 - Facts And Feelings In Epicurean Philosophy - Part 1"

    Cassius September 16, 2025 at 9:01 AM
  • The relationship between pleasure and pain and emotions and feelings

    Kalosyni September 16, 2025 at 8:18 AM
  • Episode 299 - TD27 - Was Epicurus Right That There Are Only Two Feelings - Pleasure And Pain? Not Yet Released

    Cassius September 15, 2025 at 6:22 PM
  • Specific Methods of Resistance Against Our Coming AI Overlords

    Pacatus September 15, 2025 at 3:52 PM
  • Comparing The Pleasure of A Great Physicist Making A Discovery To The Pleasure of A Lion Eating A Lamb

    Cassius September 14, 2025 at 6:09 AM
  • Fragment 32 -- The "Shouting To All Greeks And Non-Greeks That Virtue Is Not The Goal" Passage

    Don September 13, 2025 at 10:32 AM
  • Latest Podcast Posted - "Facts And Feelings In Epicurean Philosophy - Part 1"

    Cassius September 12, 2025 at 4:55 PM
  • The Role of Virtue in Epicurean Philosophy According the Wall of Oinoanda

    Kalosyni September 12, 2025 at 9:26 AM
  • Bodily Sensations, Sentience and AI

    Patrikios September 11, 2025 at 5:05 PM
  • Additional Timeline Details Needed

    Eikadistes September 11, 2025 at 12:15 PM

Frequently Used Tags

In addition to posting in the appropriate forums, participants are encouraged to reference the following tags in their posts:

  • #Physics
    • #Atomism
    • #Gods
    • #Images
    • #Infinity
    • #Eternity
    • #Life
    • #Death
  • #Canonics
    • #Knowledge
    • #Scepticism
  • #Ethics

    • #Pleasure
    • #Pain
    • #Engagement
    • #EpicureanLiving
    • #Friendship
    • #Happiness
    • #Virtue
      • #Wisdom
      • #Temperance
      • #Courage
      • #Justice
      • #Honesty
      • #Faith (Confidence)
      • #Friendship
      • #Suavity
      • #Consideration
      • #Hope
      • #Gratitude



Click Here To Search All Tags

To Suggest Additions To This List Click Here

Similar Threads

  • Listing And Evaluating Stoic "Techniques"

    • Cassius
    • April 26, 2018 at 1:19 PM
    • Epicurus vs. the Stoics (Zeno, Chrysippus, Cleanthes, Epictetus, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius)
  • Welcome Eoghan Gardiner!

    • Cassius
    • March 27, 2018 at 7:46 AM
    • Welcome to Our New Members!

EpicureanFriends - Classical Epicurean Philosophy

  1. Home
    1. About Us
    2. Classical Epicurean Philosophy
  2. Wiki
    1. Getting Started
  3. Frequently Asked Questions
    1. Site Map
  4. Forum
    1. Latest Threads
    2. Featured Threads
    3. Unread Posts
  5. Texts
    1. Core Texts
    2. Biography of Epicurus
    3. Lucretius
  6. Articles
    1. Latest Articles
  7. Gallery
    1. Featured Images
  8. Calendar
    1. This Month At EpicureanFriends
Powered by WoltLab Suite™ 6.0.22
Style: Inspire by cls-design
Stylename
Inspire
Manufacturer
cls-design
Licence
Commercial styles
Help
Supportforum
Visit cls-design