How to Deal with Blushing, Stage Fright, and Other “Uncontrollable” Reactions (Seneca Letter #11 – On the Blush of Modesty)

Synopsis: In today’s episode we discuss Seneca’s surprisingly hardline assertion that there is absolutely nothing that can be done to avoid blushing and other symptoms of stage fright. As a public speaking teacher, I take issue with this, and I support my opposition by citing some core teachings of Epictetus and Mishlei. If any of you have had success conquering fear of public speaking by using methods such as this, I’d love to hear about them!
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Sources:
- Seneca: Letter #11; click here to access the full text of Seneca's Letter
- Epictetus, Enchiridion (Handbook) 1:5
- Epictetus, Discourses 2:18:24-25
- Mishlei 3:21-26

For an elaboration on Epictetus's approach to dealing with "impressions," check out the episode of TSJ entitled Aurelius - Meditations 4:22: That's a Jacket, Not a Bad Cat! and the follow-up episode entitled TSJ Interlude - I Got Got By An Impression!

I referenced a study about dating on a bridge. I haven't yet had the time to look into this, but it's mentioned in the Wikipedia article on Misattribution of Arousal.
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If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.
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Stoic texts:
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius
Letters from a Stoic Master (Seneca)
The Discourses of Epictetus
The Enchiridion (Handbook) of Epictetus
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