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September 27, 2003
The interconnectedness of life
On my last day in London this summer, I came across an English translation of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations, in a little bookshop near Bloomsbury Square (another entire story in itself). It is a book of philosophical writings that I have been wanting to read since I first came across mention of it during my Novels class in high school. (Argh, that’s a long time ago I realize. I confess I’m a bit of a procrastinator, but what I lack in speed I try to make up for in deliberateness.) Anyway, I was thinking about that book tonight, knowing that I had finished reading it but hadn’t posted anything on it, and decided to put off my Finance homework to finally make that post. SIDENOTE: Hadrian ordered its construction to mark the border of the Roman Empire and “keep the barbarians out.” (Those barbarians just happen to be my Celtic warrior ancestors in Ireland.) Below is a shot of said wall. You may have also seen it in the movie Robin Hood. (One of my all-time favorite flicks.)
About two days before visiting Hadrian’s Wall, I had come across a bust of Lucius Versus in the National Gallery in Edinburgh, Scotland. The plate on which indicated that Lucius was Marcus’ weak twin brother and co-emperor. Tonight, I learned that Lucius was co-emperor only between 161 and 169 A.D., the year of his death. Meditations is a collection of journal entries Marcus Aurelius wrote throughout his life to remind himself of the right way to live. Apparently, they were often written at night in his tent on the battlefield during wars he led to defend the borders of the Roman Empire, the most powerful empire of his time. I am intrigued by his thoughts and the spiritual conflicts faced by leaders throughout history. As M. Forstater states in his introduction to Meditations, “As emperor of Rome, Marcus Aurelius was the most powerful man in the world. Yet his personal and professional life was dominated by a desire for virtue, justice, and peace, not money, possessions, power, or fame” (9). Albeit a long entry, below are my favorite excerpts from the first chapter of Marcus Aurelius' Meditations, Living in the World. . . [T]he time that is past is gone forever. No one can lose the past or the future, for if they don’t belong to you, how can they be taken from you? [T]he person that lives the longest life and the one who lives the shortest lose exactly the same thing. Gaze in wonder at the ever-circling stars, as if you were floating among them; and consider the alterations of the elements, constantly changing one into another. Thinking such thoughts you wash away the dust of life on earth. [A]ll of present time is but a pinpoint in eternity. Discard everything except these few truths: we can live only in the present moment, in this brief now; all the rest of our life is dead and buried or shrouded in uncertainty. Short is the life we lead, and small our patch of earth. When you are disturbed by events and lose your serenity, quickly return to yourself and don’t stay upset any longer than the experience lasts; for you’ll have more mastery over your inner harmony by continually returning to it. [L]ife is warfare [P]hilosophy means keeping that vital spark within you free from damage and degradation, using it to transcend pain and pleasure, doing everything with a purpose, avoiding lies and hypocrisy, not relying on another person’s actions or failings. To accept everything that comes, and everything that is given, as coming from that same spiritual source. No one can impose on me what is degrading. Taking Aim: Are you distracted by the things of the world? Give yourself some quiet time to discover something new, and learn how to stop this restlessness. And beware that you don’t fall into another kind of error: the folly of those who wear out their lives in ceaseless business, but have no aim on which their every action or thought is focused. Maintain your contentment and tranquility. . . Your efforts fall short of your abilities It’s also necessary to take rest. [S]uch people, when they have a strong affection for something, choose not to eat or sleep but rather to perfect the things they care for. Accept prosperity without pride, and always be ready to let it go. Meeting Challenges: Just because you find something difficult to do, don’t think that it’s humanly impossible. If something is humanly possible and appropriate, believe that it can also be attained by you. You’re behavior in all spheres of life should be like this: let’s overlook many things in those who are our fellow contestants. For it’s in our power to avoid them, and to have no suspicion or ill will. Reflect also on what qualities nature has given us to counter every vile act. For she has given us compassion as an antidote to brutality... Shouldn’t you be content that you have done the right thing, and not feel you have to be paid for it? It’s as if your eyes demanded a fee for seeing. . . . [We are] created by Nature to act benevolently, and when we have done something helpful or in some way conducive to the common interest, we have acted in harmony with our own inherent makeup, and also come into our own. Then you must teach them and show them rather than get so indignant. Social Unity: Since you are an integral part of a social system, let every act of yours contribute to the harmonization of social life. Any action that is not related directly or remotely to this social aim disturbs your life, and destroys your unity. Tolerance: People were created for the sake of one another. Either teach them or bear with them. Life and Destiny: Adapt yourself to the life you have been given; and truly love the people with whom destiny has surrounded you. Nothing should be done without a purpose. Talking and Being: Stop talking about what the good person should be, and just be that person. The body ought to be fit and composed, not agitated either in motion or in rest. We should require that the whole body exhibit the mind, as the face does when it maintains an expression of intelligence and symmetry. And all these must be maintained without posing. You need to be prepared for firm decisions and action, without losing gentleness toward those who obstruct or abuse you. It’s as great a weakness to be angry with them as it is to abandon your plan of action and give up through fear. These are both like deserting soldiers: the one who panics, as well as one alienated from his natural brothers and friends. A person’s character immediately shines in the eyes, just as one who loves reads everything in the gaze of the beloved. Comments
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