meditations
I read Meditations by Marcus Aurelius earlier this year. In the book Marcus Aurelius offers poetic spiritual reflections and gives his thoughts on how he understood himself and how he made sense of the world around him. The first time I read this book I wasn't completely blown away, but it took some time for my mind to brew over the messages and ideas that were in the book before it clicked.
I would like to share some of my favourite quotes and ideas from the book that have personally affected how I live day-to-day. I will also give my interpretations of the quotes and the lessons that they convey.
Look Within
"Men seek for seclusion in the wilderness, by the seashore, or in the mountains. But such fancies are wholly unworthy of a philosopher, since at any moment you choose you can retire within yourself. Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul. Avail yourself often, then, of this retirement, and so continually renew yourself."
"Remember then to withdraw into the little field of self. Above all, never struggle or strain; but be a master of yourself, and view life as a man, as a human being, as a citizen, and as a mortal ... Think of the countless changes in which you yourself have had a part. The whole universe is change, and life itself is but what you deem it."
"Dig within. There lies the well-spring of good: ever dig, and it will ever flow."
He frequently talks about the concept of body and mind, and puts emphasis on meditating and contemplating thoughts within yourself, so as to make change from within rather than being affected by external forces. We are the sole pilot of our own lives, and are the only one that can enact change.
The source of our morals, motivation, and happiness should come from within. We will not be happy by pleasing others or being somebody that we're not, as long as we are listening to our spirit and reflecting upon it we will surely find happiness and contentment.
He tells us that in order to find solace or peace, all we have to do is to retreat within ourselves and to sit with our thoughts. We should do this frequently, so as to renew our principles and motivations. This will remind us of what we are working or fighting for and will renew our spirit to keep going.
Be Present
"Supposing that those who remember you were never to die at all, nor their memories to die either, yet what is that to you? Clearly, in your grave, nothing; and even in your lifetime, what is the good of praise? Surely, then, you are making an inopportune rejection of what Nature has given you today, if all your mind is set on what men will say of you tomorrow."
"Do away with all fancies. Cease to be passion's puppet. Limit time to the present. Learn to recognise every experience for what it is, whether it be your own or another's."
"Take it that you have died today, and your life's story is ended; and henceforward regard what further time may be given you as an uncovenanted surplus, and live it out in harmony with nature."
Marcus writes about being present a lot in the book, which is a sentiment I can agree with seeing as I have a lot of time anxiety. We can change our perspective on what time we have remaining in our lives by pretending that our past self has passed away, and that whatever time we have remaining is a luxury. Through this, we can then live the rest of our lives in peace and harmony, separate from our old selves.
He also talks about how people who focus on attaining fame or who wish to be known long after their death are fighting a losing battle that is ultimately in vain. At some point all of us will be forgotten, generations after our death. But even if we weren't forgotten, a desire for praise after we're gone is purely masturbatory, as we would be forsaking the life we have been given today for the sake of being remembered tomorrow.
Marcus mentions that we should not indulge in luxuries but live a simple life to enjoy the present rather than being concerned about the past or future. We should be present in our lives, because things of fame, fortune, glory, or remembrance are things of no worth.
Kindness
"'No soul', it has been said, 'forfeits truth willfully.' And the same holds for justice, self-control, kindliness, or any other virtue. Nothing needs to be kept in mind more constantly than this; it will help you to greater gentleness in all your dealings with people."
"The gods, though they live forever, feel no resentment at having to put up eternally with the generations of men and their misdeeds; nay more, they even show every possible care and concern for them. Are you, then, whose abiding is but for a moment, to lose patience - you who are yourself one of the culprits?"
"When those about you are venting their censure or malice upon you, or raising any other sort of injurious clamour, approach and penetrate into their souls, and see what manner of men they are. You will find little enough reason for all our painstaking efforts to win their good opinion. All the same, it still remains your duty to think kindly of them; for Nature has made them to be your friends, and even the gods themselves lend them every sort of help, by dreams and by oracles, to gain the ends on which their hearts are set."
Kindness is another idea that Marcus heavily writes about in the book, and gives many ideas on how to always be kind. He makes the statement that nobody chooses to be a bad person willingly or on purpose, and that we should be aware of this to as treat people with kindness. We also don't know how people have come to be a certain way so it is always good to be kind rather than judge on first instinct.
When people are getting mad at you or projecting their anger or disappointment towards us, we should get to know them and see what manner of person they are. Upon dong this, we might very well find little reason to treat them well or to win over their opinion of us. However, we should still treat them with kindness and not retaliate, as they as human too, just like us.
If you've read Meditations before I would love to hear your thoughts on the book and the philosophy of stoicism as a whole! Leave a message in my guest book or shoot me a message on the Blaugust discord.
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