ABSTRACT
Albert Ellis describes the forceful rehearsal of “coping statements” in rational emotive behaviour therapy in a manner resembling certain forms of autosuggestion but designed to reinforce underlying philosophical principles and attitudes. The Stoic use of short precepts and sayings clearly bears comparison to many modern psychotherapeutic practices such as the use of autosuggestions or affirmations in hypnotherapy or of “coping statements” and “self-instructions” in cognitive–behavioural therapy (CBT). As Xenophon implies, memorization of philosophical precepts required constant practice and repetition, comparable to the memorization of stanzas from epic poems. According to the Neoplatonist, Iamblichus, morning meditation was a practice that existed in ancient therapeutic philosophy as far back as the time of Pythagoras. The chapter identifies two complementary periods of contemplation in ancient philosophical therapy, which might be termed “prospective” and “retrospective” meditation. The Stoics clearly employed retrospective contemplation primarily as a method of daily self-analysis, similar to the kind found in modern CBT.
