Reflections on 'Meditations' by Marcus Aurelius: A Guide to Life and Journaling
Meditations is a collection of 12 books written in Greek by Marcus Aurelius, Emperor of the Roman Empire from 161 to 180 AD. During his reign, despite being marked by conflicts and pandemics, the Roman Empire was at its territorial and economic peak.
The book is nothing more than a collection of notes that the emperor wrote to himself as a form of self-therapy and self-examination.
The Humanity of Marcus Aurelius
The collection reveals the human side of one of the most powerful men of his time. What is surprising is just how ordinary he was in the sense of a fallible, limited existence. He was a vulnerable person with doubts, flaws, anxieties, and fears. Yet, the sharpness and depth of his thoughts are thought-provoking.
Stoicism
Recently, the book has gained popularity, especially among Stoics. These are individuals who follow a philosophy, Stoicism, which teaches living a virtuous life through the control of emotions, acceptance of fate, and focus on what can be controlled. Stoics believe that happiness is achievable through virtue, wisdom, and rationality, and they advocate avoiding destructive emotions like fear and anger. Furthermore, they promote serene acceptance of events that cannot be changed, as destiny is beyond our control.
The Human Being: A Rational Social Animal
Marcus Aurelius emphasizes the importance of the common good and feeling like a part of the system. He argues that by loving others, you can do good to yourself. Indeed, one of the recurring themes is that of the human being as a rational social animal, and the ultimate goal of our life being the common good.
The Importance of the Present
Another central theme is focusing on the present, the only dimension that truly belongs to us. Acting despite the challenges, acting even though we will eventually turn to dust, and striving to improve the lives of many. Essentially, it’s a collection on how to act to live happily, face pain and death, and deal with everyday things like getting out of bed in the morning.
In addition, he identifies the guiding principles of our existence and the relationship with death.
Recommendations
I recommend this book to those who need inspiration to take responsibility for their lives. In particular, I highly recommend it to a male audience because, in the end, Marcus Aurelius was a man a Roman citizen, and many reflections are indeed directed at a male audience. Moreover, it’s rare nowadays to hear about a man keeping a diary where he collects his thoughts.
Journaling
What I have learned from this book is the importance of keeping a personal diary. This allows you to express your thoughts, engage in a dialogue with yourself, and make more informed decisions. I’ve been dedicating about 20 minutes a day to journaling for the past ten months, and I recommend you give it a try as well.
In conclusion, “Conversations” by Marcus Aurelius is a timeless work that offers valuable life lessons. It’s a dive into the mind of one of the most influential men in history, an opportunity to explore Stoic philosophy, and a push to take control of your own life, even through journaling.
