Using Stoicism to Overcome Adversity: A Short Guide to Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (Unabridged‪)‬

According to Albert Ellis, founder of rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), we make an error when interpreting our emotions. When we experience intense emotions such as anger, depression, or anxiety, we assume that something outside of ourselves caused our feelings. But, according to REBT, it is our underlying beliefs about our circumstances that control our emotions. By changing our underlying beliefs, we can change how we feel.   

The therapy presented in this audiobook is based on the ancient wisdom of Stoicism and the more contemporary rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). By putting their advice into practice, you may be able to get better control of your emotions. By following a simple, common-sense approach to confronting your unwanted beliefs, which influence your emotions, you may begin to get a hold of the underlying cause of your unwanted feelings.  

At its core, REBT is the idea we make ourselves miserable most of the time. We are the cause of our unwanted feelings, and we can change our feelings by changing our underlying philosophy behind our feelings.   

REBT is based on some of the philosophy of the Stoics, especially Epictetus, who said: ”Men are disturbed not by things, but by the view which they take of them."   

For Ellis, achieving tranquility of mind was not about changing what was going on in the external world, but rather changing our underlying philosophy of life. Events themselves don't cause us to be miserable, it is our beliefs about the events that control our emotions. By changing our underlying beliefs, we can change how we feel.