Thank you for your comments and question. I should be up front that I am not an advocate for stoicism. I respect it but find it limiting. You are correct that Spinoza’s concept of conatus does fit very well with stoic teachings. It is an important addition to stoicism in that it acknowledges our internal life drive or endeavor. Like the stoics, Spinoza placed great importance on rationality and believed in a determined universe. I reject the notion of determinism, but if one does choose to adopt that notion, then to attain the peace that the stoic seeks, Spinoza’s ethics based on conatus is a wise, rational path toward joy. After all, what is it that we could anchor a sense of internal well-being? Spinoza’s answer is conatus, the endeavor for us to be us and preserve us. By all accounts, Spinoza had achieved that place of joy in his life. People who knew him said he was at great peace with himself and the world and was a lovely person.