Had anybody else noticed that for many Stoicism has replaced Buddhism as the “cool” and “intellectual” spirituality amongst those in the liberal tech world?
Stoicism is more like Buddhism on easy mode for those in the Western tradition. Even Buddhists themselves are very clear that one should not pursue serious meditation unless they have their sīla (morality, ethical behavior) down pat and are at an appropriate stage of life where they have the time and means for it; Stoicism is all about the practice of sīla. If you skip on that, you end up with stories like OP's, and the people suffering psychotic breaks while on a meditative retreat.
It's probably no coincidence Stoicism (and Cynicism) appeared in the centuries following Alexander's campaign to India, and the bidirectional greco-indian cultural exchange that followed.
(It's also no coincidence that a Indian Buddhist monks ostensibly wear orange togas; not that the Romans conquered India or the Indians went to Rome, but the two seem to have been inspired by the Greek Chiton and Himation)
This cultural exchange is pretty fascinating thing in general. Here are some complementary reading:
I really appreciate your comment. I think I’ll remember the phrase “Buddhism on easy mode” for the rest of my life!
Your observation about preparation, behavior, state of life etc is also very poignant. I am Catholic and something that I’ve found delving into the writings of the saints is that it is often like staring at the sun: it’s too intense and I’m not ready for it. For example, when I was an atheist in college I read St Augustine’s Confessions and found it interesting from a philosophical point of view and an easy read. Now, as a believing and practicing Catholic, I can’t even finish the book. It’s spiritual fruit, of which I was ignorant in my youth, are too intense for me. I come back to it every couple of years and each time make it a little bit further.
That is all to say, it is funny how in mainstream discourse about religion/spirituality there is very little mention of “ability”. “Religious practice” is most certainly a skill that is acquired and refined through hard work (and grace).
The Catholic tradition and Christian tradition in general are deeply informed by Stoicism, especially Stoic ethics. So coming from that kind of tradition, you might find that you're already aware of many of these things, even if you couldn't quite tell where they originally came from.
There's speculation that Jesus might have been a Buddhist or at least well known in Buddhist contemporary circles and interacted with them. If you search online you'll see plenty of sources that mention it as a plausible possibility (there's a BBC documentary even).
