Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations is a collection of thoughts that the emperor wrote to himself about life and how we should think about all that happens. The philosophy to which Aurelius subscribed and laid out in his book is known as stoicism and it centers around becoming more present in our daily lives and becoming more aware … Continue reading Look Within
Month: September 2016
Living Without Error
In his writing Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius reflected the ideas of stoicism and the lessons the philosophy taught him throughout his life. He valued the power of the rational mind, and was constantly looking for ways to better understand his own faculties so that he could better control his mental state and his perception of the … Continue reading Living Without Error
To What Nature Leads Thee
In Meditations, written by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, we are given an example of how to live a life guided by stoicism. Aurelius contended that all rational beings should be self-aware and conscious of the world through which they move so that they can decide how they will behave. Through self-reflection, focusing on the present, … Continue reading To What Nature Leads Thee
To Avoid Becoming Frustrated at Things
Marcus Aurelius had a very practical way of looking at the world, and his pragmatism stands out in his book Meditations when he is taking about the ways in which we become frustrated. Rather than allowing himself to be driven by emotions he was able to slow himself down and think about his thoughts and what … Continue reading To Avoid Becoming Frustrated at Things
The Practicality of the Present
In the book, Meditations, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius offers us insight into the mindset of stoicism and shows us both how to practice stoicism and the benefits that it can bring to our lives. The power behind stoicism lies in shaping our thoughts, controlling our emotions, and giving ourselves the power to choose how we … Continue reading The Practicality of the Present
Listening and Empathizing
In his writing from the second century, Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius talks about the importance of self-awareness, being present in every moment, and learning to view others through new perspectives which build empathy with other people. Combining these ideas in a simple thought, Aurelius wrote, “Accustom thyself to attend carefully to what is said by … Continue reading Listening and Empathizing
Influenced
In Meditations, Marcus Aurelius focuses on the power of our minds and how we can change our thoughts to improve the way we move through the world. He focuses on self-awareness and the importance of recognizing how we behave and react to things and events in our lives. By taking control of our thoughts and … Continue reading Influenced
Understanding Yourself
Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor during the years 161 to 180, kept a journal that he continually returned to with all of his thoughts and values. His journal was published after his death as a collection called Meditations, and in his journal he makes constant references to the importance of self-control, self-reflection, and rational thought. He … Continue reading Understanding Yourself
Recognizing the Positivity of Others
Throughout his book Meditations, Marcus Aurelius focuses not just on how we should think about ourselves, but on how we should think of others. During his life he strived to avoid thoughts of negativity and he focused on finding the positive aspects of humanity in all people. Rather than reducing people to their flaws and … Continue reading Recognizing the Positivity of Others