“Occupy thyself with few things, says the philosopher, if thou wouldst be tranquil,” wrote Marcus Aurelius in his common place book which was published after his death in the volume Meditations. In a short section he writes about doing a few things well and being focused and content with those things so that your mind … Continue reading How to be Tranquil
Month: July 2016
Judging Others Along Our Journey
Throughout Meditations, the book published after his death containing his writing and personal reflections, Marcus Aurelius focuses on the mind and our thoughts, and how we can use our thoughts to give us guidance. Two areas that he returns to frequently are our life journey and how we think of our journey, and how we think about … Continue reading Judging Others Along Our Journey
Opinion and Perception
“Take away thy opinion, and there is taken away the complaint, “I have been harmed.” Take away the complaint, “I have been harmed,” and the harm is taken away.” This is one of the short passages that Marcus Aurelius wrote down in his common place book in the second century, and it is one … Continue reading Opinion and Perception
Transformation and Opinion
In many sections of his writing in, Meditations, Marcus Aurelius comments on how we react to things around us, and how we can recognize that the outside world does not truly affect who we are, but that our reactions and thoughts are what shape us as human beings. Aurelius writes, “But among the things … Continue reading Transformation and Opinion
Tranquility of the Mind
One of the main ideas in the philosophy of stoicism is the ability to control the mind and the thoughts that we have. When we practice stoicism we are building our self-awareness so that we can reflect on not just our actions and decisions, but also the thoughts that we have. We are able to … Continue reading Tranquility of the Mind
Focus and Presence
Marcus Aurelius, in his work Meditations, wrote about the importance of presence in our daily lives, and how focus and the ability to be grounded in the present moment can bring us happiness. “If though workest at that which is before thee, following right reason seriously, vigorously, calmly, without allowing anything else to distract … Continue reading Focus and Presence
The Faculties of the Mind
In his collection of thoughts, Meditations, Marcus Aurelius writes about how we should think about our thinking. His book was written as tool for him to return to when he felt as though he was not living to his full potential. Changing the way we think and being aware of the thoughts that we have can … Continue reading The Faculties of the Mind
Thinking of Others
Marcus Aurelius was the emperor of Rome during the 2nd century, and while he was leader he wrote down his thoughts in what would later be published as the stoic philosophy guide book, Meditations. A reoccurring thought for Aurelius and something he focused on from multiple perspectives, is the way in which we think about … Continue reading Thinking of Others
Continually Closer to Death
In Meditations a reoccurring theme is the acceptance and awareness of death and the end of our time on Earth. While writing down his thoughts and collecting his ideas, Aurelius returned over and over to death and our recognition of death. He did not have a morbid view of our passing, and he did not have … Continue reading Continually Closer to Death
Reviewing Good and Bad
Marcus Aurelius has a great way of thinking about the events which occur throughout our lifetime and the way in which we react to those events. Part of the stoic philosophy involves rational thought before emotional action, and through reflection Aurelius explains what he thinks of the way we often look at good and bad … Continue reading Reviewing Good and Bad