Transcripts
1. Introduction: Hi, my name is parts Arnie. I'm an author, podcaster and success mentor to high achievers. To my writing podcasts and other meaningful creations, I enjoy sharing life-changing ideas and insights related to personal development, philosophy, success, mindset, and the human condition. My recent books include The Daily Apple and traveling in the new normal. And I also created a course called Stoicism 101 not too long ago. For more information and other useful resources, check out my main website, parts Arnie.com. In this class I focus on the classics to a text, meditations written by Marcus Aurelius. I discussed origin as well as talk about the main themes in the book. And my talk takeaways. If you're interested in ancient philosophy and a tenets of stoicism, seek helpful advice for a better and more peaceful life, and are wondering how the musings of a Roman emperor apply to your daily life. And this class is for you. These sessions are for all levels and you don't need any prior knowledge, tools, and experience before beginning the class. In this snapshot, you learn how to apply the basic precepts of stoicism to the contemporary world. Let go of anxiety and concentrate your efforts on your inner life and fulfilled leadership demands while keeping personal integrity and spiritual well-being in mind. I've included some prompts for reflection and riding and accompanying PDF worksheet as well for your reference to make sure that the main ideas and key takeaways in this snapshot, steak, I encourage you to ponder upon them and write down your unfiltered thoughts in a journal. So with those things discussed, let's get rolling right away. I'll see you inside.
2. The Origin of Meditations: No matter how many books I read or listen to Meditations by Marcus Aurelius will always have a special place, both in my library and in my heart. After all, as modern stoic Ryan Holiday puts it, meditation is perhaps the only document of its kind ever made. Meditations is a collection of private thoughts of the great Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the world's most powerful man during his time, who reflected daily on the essential tenets of philosophy, adding post-it notes to himself. In this way, he persuaded himself every night to stay on the right path by repeating to himself his observations and the lessons he learned, touching the core principles and beliefs of stoic philosophy. The spiritual reminders helped him deal with whatever challenge or obstacle came his way with humility, wisdom, courage, empathy, righteousness, self-control, fortitude, and generosity. So let's take a step back and understand who Marcus Aurelius truly was. Born in 121 AT, and educated extensively in rhetoric and philosophy by his teachers. Marcus Aurelius succeeded his adoptive father, Antoninus Pius, as emperor of Rome in 160, 180. And grain for nearly two decades until his death in 180. Along with being the most famous proponent of stoicism. Marcus, who was also one of the most remarkable leaders throughout history. Someone we can all draw inspiration from. Machiavelli considered the time of rule under Marcus Aurelius, golden time, and him the last of the five good emperors. Machiavelli also identified markers as code and assuming a level of justice, hater, of sympathetic and kind essays, Matthew Arnold recognized markers as quote, a man who held the highest and most powerful station in the world. And the universal verdict of the people around him was that he proved himself worthy of it. Despite his privileges as an emperor, Marcus ordinances read was difficult to say the least, as he encountered one tragedy after another. Wars with a Parthian Empire. Attacks by the barbarian tribes on the northern border. The rise of Christianity, as well as the infamous plague that left numerous people dead. Markers nonetheless faced these unprecedented challenges head-on with tourists, stoic, equanimity and endurance. The Roman historian Cassius Dio, therefore concluded code. Marcus Aurelius did not meet with the good fortune that it deserved for. He was not strong and body and was involved in a multitude of troubles throughout practically his entire reign. But for my part, I admire him all the more for this very reason. I'm an unusual and extraordinary difficulties. He both survived himself and preserved the empire in cool. This is why Marcus is such an exemplary figure and someone we can look up to whenever we find ourselves dealing with a crisis or catastrophe. Marcus was not only an emperor, but also a philosopher who based his ideas on the traditions of stoicism and ancient school of thought that honored the three disciplines, perception, action, and will to live a joyful and meaningful life. As he faced innumerable challenges during his rule, particularly while he directed military campaigns. Marcus wrote down his personal reflections on stoicism and 12 books of his private journals. This has estimated to have occurred between 170 and 180 AD. These writings later became known as meditations, one of the most influential self-help books of all time, and a corner store classic of stoic philosophy. Like any other journal, the aim of meditations was Posner, clarity, not public interests. And it's ironic that these writings were originally never intended to have an audience, have become so popular and special among-st, countless philosophy enthusiasts. In fact, the original title of this collection of writings roughly translates as to himself. Marcus was simply writing down keys to a principals and exercises. Just like a person repeats mantras and hymns so that he could remember and practice these insights as he faced the challenges of being an emperor and leader. Meditations, in a sense, is a book of random short sayings ranging from a sentence or two to multiple paragraphs. Even though it's not organized by any particular subjects or themes, we can observe certain concepts popping up again and again as we read the book indicating the ideas that Marcus found to be most helpful for him. And so just like the y's emperor, we too can ponder upon these timeless ideas and employ them in our everyday lives to navigate the challenges that come our way. In the following videos, I discussed some main ideas recur throughout the book, alone with my three key takeaways from this collection of writings, I hope you enjoy them and start incorporating them in your daily life. Like so many artists, kings, political leaders, coaches, and entrepreneurs have done throughout history. Let's begin.
3. Main Idea #1 | Logos Gives Everything Form and Order: And I got an ancient philosophers. Marcus has mitigations, do well begged around a central aspect of logos. Nobles roughly translates to reason as considered as an ascent that gives form and divine order to all the forms of life and the universe. It reflects that all things happen for a reason. Logos can be considered as an underlying master plan that orchestrates all the events that happened in this world, whether they are good or bad, we should have fade that all the things happening in our lives are happening for the best. The concept of logos encourages us to see a silver lining even when we are in the midst of chaos and storms of adversities. Since everything is being governed by logos and by reasoning and order, it makes sense for us to approach everything in our lives with a calm and analytical mind rather than being swept away by our emotions and feelings. Human emotions, especially negative ones, can be a serious threat to reason. So in your daily life, if you feel stressed or overwhelmed, then the best strategy is to meditate on logos and the grand scheme of things. We need to understand that both pain and suffering are a part of a bigger plan as well. When we complain about them, they disrespect and disregard the logos. And that brings more pain and suffering to us. Instead, we should accept things the way they are and move on. When we trust logos, we get rid of all the fields, use of debt, pain and suffering. They stop hearing the world that we do for a living and resenting and questioning our place in society. Because we truly believe that everything is a part of a grander, flawless plan.
4. Main Idea #2 | Death Is Not Something to Be Feared: Things were quite different in ancient dimes as compared to the contemporary world. Infant mortality rates were high and the average life expectancy was quite low. That's why when Marcus writes about the certainty of dead and how soon it might gum, he's not just being philosopher go for more reason. He's in fact link, practical. He writes. And there's no point in us being afraid of death since all beings living or dead are still part of locals. Dying as simply our soul apart of logos, leaving a human body that began dying the instant it was born. And when a person dies, even though their body perishes, they once again become part of the greater logos. Once united, their essence is then reused to form new living beings who continued this endless cycle. This beautifully alliance with the Hindu concept of reincarnation, according to which all living things have an atman, which is a piece of brown lin, or a spirit or soul. Once a living being dies, the admin that is rebound or reincarnated into a different body depending on its karma from its previous life. Along with that, it's the logos that determines the timing of debt and it comes when it needs to. Logos has a greater plan and it's best to not feel any of the countless things that could kill you. Marcus knew that whether he was destined to die, you do an illness or on the battlefield, fighting with the enemy, there would be absolutely nothing he could do about either failed. Hence, it would be useless to feel and worry about something so inevitable. In fact, we can use debt as a motivator to be good and do good. Since we never truly know how much time we have left to live, we can employ our precious resources for the common good. This is why the stay inspired and virtues we must reflect regularly on the fact that we will die. This reflection and contemplations can help us learn some deep and life-changing lessons. Hence, instead of avoiding it, it's wise to confront Ed often, no matter how unpleasant it may be to think about, we must understand that everyone dies sooner or later. Even the best people out there parish in the end. At times for Marcus felt overwhelmed by that. For instance, when he lost his wife, Faustina, reminding himself of this truth. As difficult as it may be. It's why so think of all the people that have come before us. What is left of them now and what will be left of us later on. Here's the thing. We all read, the same destination in the end. So whether you are a low when Emperor of philosopher, like Plato or a fearless gladiator, Whether you are Alexander the Great or as mule driver, you must embrace your mortality and refrain from living in fear of it.
5. Main Idea #3 | Complaining Is Futile: Since I'm deaf, can happen anytime and it may never truly know when it would have gone to live our lives in the best way we can strive to be more productive and become the best versions of us says. Along with that, we need to learn to let it go and become adaptable with regard to the events in our daily lives, meetings with people and other activities that take away our time. As even these time taking and seemingly irrelevant activities are happening for a reason. Complaining as feudal and a big waste of time. Letting ourselves be annoyed by external factors just robs us of our precious time and energy that could be spent living. For instance, even though markers don't like having to hold code, he recognized it as as duty to act in accordance with a grand plan Lowe's had designed for him. Even though he hated small talk and superficial arguments in code, he was always open to them with a smile on his face because he truly believed that he should honor his responsibilities and not spend a moment of his short and fleeting life by graduate. Then on other occasions that he felt overwhelmed and wanted to give up, he mustered the courage within him and got back on his feet because he didn't want others to suffer from his unwillingness and complaints or a code that dent function properly. He only needed to remind himself of his role as an emperor and active component of the logos to get himself going again and fulfil his duties.
6. Main Idea #4 | Don’t Let External Events Influence Your Mind: Margo's being a good steward enough stoicism day like most priority to reason and developing a logical perception of the wood or everything is. He knew that our ability to reason makes us unique among other beings on the planet and is a gift that VR must use for the fullest. Mockus, like other stoics, firmly believe that a calm and analytical mind always trumps the one rule by desires and emotions. And our reason could be used to understand the workings of the logos as it governs everything to reason and order. Everything that happens, beneficial or harmful is supposed to happen and is therefore good for the whole. The essence of any event depends on how we perceive it. So FE, cultivate the belief that logos has good reasons for everything that occurs. We can see any event objectively and think of it as necessary for the greater good. We must always remember that human emotions remain unchecked, can easily overpower reason. Getting stuck in a victim mindset or making hasty decisions, you do last, anger, hatred or greed creates nothing but confusion in our minds, an eclipse, our ability to see the logos as the ultimate truth. This is why Marcus constantly focused on conquering his mind. He reflected on the notion that our mind is a separate entity from the world. And it simply cannot be affected by external events unless it deliberately chooses to get affected. Marcus knew that emotions are a constant threat to logical thinking. So whenever he felt distracted or all when he would meditate on the logos and its place in the grand scheme of things that's helped him get in touch with us, calm, collected self, and find his industry.
7. Main Idea #5 | Obstacles Can Be Transformed Into Opportunities: German philosopher Friedrich nature once said, that was just not kill us, makes us stronger. We can look at the hardships that we face in our lives and a negative light and B, be critical of them. Or instead we can choose to see them as essential components of life and success and train ourselves to appreciate them. We can think of the challenges that come our way as opportunities to shine and prove our metal, to grow as a person, to learn how to cultivate and the orange patients and grid and to be more creative and resourceful. Marcus firmly believed that no one can 12 the purposes of our minds. In his book, The Daily Stoic, Ryan Holiday rights. Obstacles are a part of life. Things happen, stuff gets in our way, situations go awry, but nothing can stop the stoic mind when it's operating properly, because in every course of action it has retained a reverse close. Our progress can be impeded or disrupted by the mind, can always be changed. It retains the power to redirect the path. What impedes us can help us advance. Marcus not only wrote about this notion and his reflections, but he embodied them throughout his reign of nearly 19 years as he went through several setbacks and personal tragedies. Constant matters, unpleasant and arduous travel is loss of nearly all of us 13 children during infancy, along with loss of his wife who die at a young age, are depleting royal treasury and incomplete and, and hedonistic step brother as co-emperor. A dreadful plague, a harsh betrayal by one of his closest friends to acquire the throne and many more. Like markers. We can also conditional says to look at the impediment to action being an advancement due action. The obstacles in the path can become the bat. Keep in mind that it's not accepting the hardship that comes in our way reluctantly, but about willingly acknowledging it and wholeheartedly working with it and trying to find a silver lining in it. It's a matter of choosing the positive and the negative of converting the obstacle and fluorophores into an opportunity and turning our setbacks into fuel to propel us forward.
8. Main Idea #6 | Pursuing Fame and Status Is Not Worthwhile: There's no single person on this planet who does and does IO fame or status in one way or the other? Perhaps he wanted to be the scientist who creates a major breakthrough in your field of study. Perhaps you want to write a knowledge and becomes a New York Times bestseller. I received rave reviews from all around the world. Or perhaps you simply want to be the kind of father or mother. Now your child loves, honors and cherishes, even when you are no longer with them. Ambition is not a bad thing. But we must also understand that fame, recognition and status are transient and making their pursuit achieved goal in our lives. Downright stupid. Marcus repeatedly reminds himself that seeking immortality to our actions or wanting to be praised, respected, and recognized posthumously in the end is a vain pursuit. Essentially, he consistently meditates on this important truth, oblivion as inevitable. Countless men and women, famous, wealthy and powerful during their respective times have been forgotten. Sands of time have raised their names, their faces, their stories and their achievements. What's the guarantee that you'll be an anomaly? And this continuous cycle of old and new fame is FMRI. And it's constant pursuit reveals nothing but an unhealthy obsession with vanity. It doesn't matter how MIT or accomplishments are and how resounding your success and fame are. They all get dissolved in the end. So a Feynman desires are empty pursuits. What should we prioritize in our finite life? The short answer is virtuous living. Markers, as well as other stoics advocate and living in accordance with virtue and considered being and doing good as the primary job of a human being.
9. Main Idea #7 | We Are All Interconnected and Interdependent: It's always wise to zoom out and see this world and humanity as a whole. The Stoics believe in the concept of simple tail, which essentially translated to the notion of a well integrated, interconnected cosmos in which everything in the universe is part of a grander hole. In this fast-paced world filled with noise, distractions and overwhelm, it's easy to forget the notion of sympathy and get sidetracked. It's easy to focus on our problems are alive and just taking care of the people around us. It's easy to surround ourselves with people who are like-minded and the people that we care for. It's easy to care only for our country and its development, not caring about other countries of the world. But the throat is that when others suffer, we suffer when the world goes through pain, whether it be due to a crisis or an injustice, we go through that pain as well. Marcus refer to this when he wrote that, what's bad for the HIV is bad for the baby as well. We're all, we're all connected one way or the other. We have all witnessed this in action. Continue to do so with the COVID-19 pandemic. The bottom line is that this word is an interconnected web of cause and effect. And in such a world, acting from ignorance or selfishness always leads to suffering for oneself and others. Hence, the best and wisest course for us is to act from wisdom and selflessness by cultivating a sense of love and commitment to the common good.
10. Main Idea #8 | Wake Up and Do Your Job: Each of us humans is pulled by our lower nature and wants to avoid suffering and struggle and instead feel pleasure and comfort wherever possible. This holds true, especially in the early mornings, but I find ourselves under the spell of sweet and deep slumber. Mcas was not an exception. In fact, it can be comforting for all of us to know that even someone who was as wise and disciplined as markers still needed to remind himself to leave the comfort and coziness of his bed. Even though he was a bit of an insomniac, the Roman emperor encouraged himself to summon up the willpower to throw the blankets off and get up and get going each morning. With his daily duties, he constantly reminded himself that like other living beings who went about doing their respective tasks without resistance, putting the world in order to the best of their abilities. He too had to be equally willing to do his job as a human being. The stoics were big proponent of living in accordance with nature. Every creature on the planet as serving a purpose, the ants are turning and aerating the soil, allowing water and oxygen reach plant roots. The plants and trees are taking in carbon dioxide and getting us fresh oxygen. The bees are constantly pollinating, helping plants grow, breed, and produce food. And we human beings are not exempt from this rule regardless of our social and economic status. Our nature is to fulfill our duties and responsibilities. To work. We all work in a warehouse of nature, bestselling author and modern stoic Ryan Holiday explains every single life form as serving and working. Working and serving. It's our duty, not only as human beings, but especially as Stoics to keep this in mind, when we feel like sleeping in are not contributing. Every day, we must remember to do our part for the world to fade in that endeavor is to go against nature itself and to take the gift of being human for granted. The Stoics would of course, disagree with the former and latter. Despite being one of the most powerful people on the planet during his time, markers gave utmost importance to fulfilling the duty he owed to room and the world at large. He could have easily shut off his responsibilities and lead a selfish and pleasure driven existence like his predecessors. But Marcus understood his purpose as a human being. He knew he had to choose selflessness and so others, because this is how nature designed us to be as markers rude. When you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning. Remember that you are defining characteristic. What defines a human being is to work with others. Even animals know how to sleep. And as a characteristic activity, task, the more natural one, more innate and more satisfying. Marcus recognized that our essence calls for experiencing satisfaction, happiness, and wholeness that comes from doing meaningful work as he reminded himself and another meditation, joy for human beings, lies and proper human work. We can all draw inspiration from the y's emperor. When we encounter the evil track of resistance, lethargic and procrastination. When your alarm goes off in the early hours of the morning and the warm and toasty bed enchants you to stay and get some more sleep. Instead of getting to your desk and firing up your laptop. Tell yourself this, I rise to the work of a human being. The sole purpose of our mind and body is to be used. So get out of bed and get going. Be like markers, fulfill your duties and live your personal legend. The more you serve, the more you live in alignment with your true nature.
11. Key Takeaway #1 | You Can Find Peace and Contentment in Your Own Mind: Depending on external circumstances, to feed a happy guy bend and these will always leaves us with disappointment and despair. You've got to rely on achievements and events such as getting a promotion at work, attracting a perfect partner, or buying a new house to make you feel satisfied and home. If you're going through some stressful and challenging times, you might think that changing your circumstances will help you attain peace. However, this might not be possible, and even a few succeed and ordering them. There's no guarantee that your new situation will bring you a tranquility and contentment. Hence, instead of changing the external world, it's much better to find peace in your own mind. Each of us has the power to retreat into our own mind. Close your eyes, deep breath, relax, and tap into the stillness within. No matter what your surroundings look-alike. It's not the events themselves, but our perceptions of them as troublesome that mainly cause sadness and distress within us. Marcus firmly believed that serenity is always accessible to us. At a moment's notice, you don't need to alter your circumstances to experience it. Instead, you must choose to immediately eliminate any negative and upsetting impressions from your mind. This will help you be at peace as he succinctly put it. Choose not to be harmed and you won't feel harmed. Don't feel harmed, and you haven't been. If we don't let challenging situations negatively impact us and drive us to become a worse version of ourselves. We are never truly harmed by them. We must choose to elevate ourselves and be superior to pain and pleasure. This helps us to follow the logos and wholeheartedly, except the course that nature has designed for us. And addition, we become a person of virtue and character. Tranquility, and authentic satisfaction is nothing short of luxury in today's world. And the good news is that you don't have to look elsewhere for them. They're always within you. You can be our own source of peace and contentment in any situation. Just detach from the external world and cultivate mindfulness and awareness in your everyday life. And you can have an instant retreat whenever you like.
12. Key Takeaway #2 | Be Kind to People Even When They Hurt or Attack You: It's nine to assume that people won't do bad, unpleasant, and even awful things. There are all kinds of humans and this would, and it's best to not worry about any negative encounters. And in the broadest sense, what others think, say, or do. Even when we are surrounded by the wrong and the wicked, we can choose to be good and do the right thing. Marcus reminded himself to not, not get upset or disturbed by the misdeeds of others and instead respond with kindness and empathy, correcting them if possible. And if they're still ignore our advice, don't change their behaviors, then to just accept it and move on. In reacting to such people, we must never allow our own principles to be violated. No matter how annoying, unpleasant, and even horrible things other people do, they must always adhere to the essential virtues of philosophy. We are only responsible for our own goodness. And so whenever we encounter difficult people, it's best to thank say an app in a courteous manner. As Marcus wrote himself, code, keep this thought handy when you feel a fit of rage coming on. It isn't manly to be enraged. Rather gentleness and civility are more human. And therefore manly. A real man doesn't give way to anger and discontent. And such a person has strength, courage, and endurance. Unlike the angry and complaining, the nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is toString. When a person angles or harms us, we must work towards understanding their point of view and where they're coming from. During such unpleasant occasions, it's best for us to drop all judgments and aversions. Remind ourselves of our own foils and imperfections and not react. Respond with positivity and indifference to any supposed harm done to us. Marcus believed that people do terrible things out of ignorance. They are unable to distinguish between good and evil. And that's why we would, we should forgive them for their errors. Even when their hammers, he, like all the other stoics, was of the opinion that we are, we are all interdependent on one another. And you simply couldn't hurt one person without hurting everyone else, including yourself. Both good and bad people are humans first and foremost, and hence, the same universal nature. Nature has designed them to live in harmony. Humans are meant to cooperate and co-exist, not oppose, and fight. Rather than focusing on other people's shortcomings and falls and letting them be a source of disappointment, disturbance, and distress in our lives. We must drive our attention and energy within and work towards correcting our own flaws and failings and bettering ourselves as markers for it. It's silly to try to escape other people's falls. They are inescapable. Just trying to escape your own. Just let go of other people's wrongdoings. Instead, work towards improving yourself and your life and find ways to be at peace with unpleasant circumstances. Self-development is not only a worthy pursuit, but it's also a better use of your finite time on this planet.
13. Key Takeaway #3 | Change Is Inevitable — Everything Has a Fleeting Existence: One essentially Tenet of philosophy and Marcus conveys numerous times and meditation's is a constantly changing nature of the world we live in. And the acceptance of the FMR, illness of things, including our transient existence changes the way of the universe and a coin changes to become a plant and later into a mighty oak tree. We humans experience different stages of life. Infancy, toddler years, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, middle age, and the senior years. And even the seasons keep changing throughout the winter, spring, summer, fall, and winter again, changes can be both good and bad. And as we encounter the more difficult changes in life, we must remind ourselves that change as a source of every good thing. Change is inevitable. And instead of resisting and fighting it, we must accept it willingly. The changing of one thing into something else as never harmful to the animals. In fact, the universe itself had to undergo countless stages of change before the precise conditions for life to exist were realized. Marcus road, nothing is evil, which is according to nature. On another occasion, he penned, loss is nothing but change. And change is nature's denied. Nothing or no one that exists in the universe, including us humans, can be harmed by change. Marcus even gave a pep talk to himself to overcome the fear of change, including debt and embrace it with an open heart. Frightened of change. But what can exist without it? What's closer to nature as hard, take a hot bath and leave the firewood as it was. Eat food without transforming it. Can any vital process take place without something being changed? Can't you see it's just the same with you and just as vital to nature. When Marcus remembers the code by Heraclitus, that no one steps in the same river twice. It's highly likely that he wasn't just speaking metaphorically. He could have been spending his years in close proximity to the huge river and Karlan term or aqua income, learning and re-learning numerous tenants of philosophy from his books. Thinking about how everything is in flux and in a constant state of change and how VMs, how he himself is changing and growing a little every day. As time passes, it's wise to remind ourselves that life is nothing but change. Like a river. The way of life is to constantly flow. And the best thing that we can do for us is astronaut, astronaut resist, but simply go with the current wherever they may take us. Acceptance is the key to living a life filled with joy and contentment.
14. Final Summary Points: Hi. Hello. Okay. Okay. Okay.
Parth Sawhney, Author and Success Mentor
