Meditations in The Self-Development Book Club: Reading for Growth

Dec 11, 2019 Rhonda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: philosophy, biography, commentary

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. There is very little that I don't enjoy reading in this book. When I discovered it in high school, reading it was a revelation. I was probably even flirting with stoicism at the time. Frankly, it was useful in many things where no one was asking your feelings about subjects.
But I remain in awe of the self-instruction which dictates that it is all too easy to become lost in the issues of the world and that subjecting each issue to reason is the sensible policy. Using this simple advice, I was abl There is very little that I don't enjoy reading in this book. When I discovered it in high school, reading it was a revelation. I was probably even flirting with stoicism at the time. Frankly, it was useful in many things where no one was asking your feelings about subjects.
But I remain in awe of the self-instruction which dictates that it is all too easy to become lost in the issues of the world and that subjecting each issue to reason is the sensible policy. Using this simple advice, I was able to delay my feelings, especially my anger, at various things and plot just what I might gain if I were judicious and sensible. It worked very well. I only wish I had learned to consider the advice of the book more often in my life.
There were two major philosophies which were vying for popularity in Republican and post Republican Rome, Stoicism and Epicureanism. While the Epicureans had much more depth to offer, the stoics professed a simplicity which was built into everything in life. It was, however rather Spartan in its suggestions while Epicureanism allowed places for errors and perhaps indulgence. It is sad that the term, Epicurean, became associated with one who indulges in sensed pleasures, especially fancy food. In reality, they focused on much more restraint.
Back to Marcus Aurelius, he wrote this in Greek near the end of his life when he was warring with unpleasant people. he would write at night and fight during the day. To read about his sense of focus is mesmerizing, but to understand that he walked the walk of what he was writing is all the more extraordinary. One might say, effectively, that there is nothing contained in these pages which is not useful advice to many who have no intention of becoming Stoics. It is advice he never intended to publish, but advice upon which he could spend considerable time meditating.
It is perhaps he hardest thing in the world to change something in oneself. It is a very easy thing, by comparison, to tell others how to change themselves. This is what makes his writings so valuable, knowing that one has to be able to meditate, look deeply into one's actions of a lifetime and weigh those actions against what one should do. I am in awe.

These pages were originally written in Greek, Greek the language of the great thinkers, but not all that popular by his time. Marcus Aurelius was quite a scholar who learned carefully how to become masterful in many areas. He held a great many positions before he became emperor and, judging by what is said about him, he excelled at learning how to take things seriously, without being swayed by friends or wealth. He lived frugally , with great concern for others not as fortunate as he was, always directing his attention where it would do the most good. He was evidently quite an excellent general too. He was probably a man of few words also, but I would still love to have him to the house for dinner, given the chance. This book is just excellent and significantly better advice than most modern self-help books. ...more

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Dec 31, 2017 PsychoSchematics marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: philosophy-stoicism

"The best antidote for outer turmoil is inner peace."

I was reading three books simultaneously and was pondering the manner we communicate today vs AD 180. The other two books were What is a Man and Tribe of Mentors. Meditations is 99 pages, What is a Man 790, and Tribe of Mentors 598. All three have become favorites that I gift more than all others save Pema Chodron's When Things Fall Apart.

What is amazing about this book is so much is sade in so few words. I have to read each word deliberately "The best antidote for outer turmoil is inner peace."

I was reading three books simultaneously and was pondering the manner we communicate today vs AD 180. The other two books were What is a Man and Tribe of Mentors. Meditations is 99 pages, What is a Man 790, and Tribe of Mentors 598. All three have become favorites that I gift more than all others save Pema Chodron's When Things Fall Apart.

What is amazing about this book is so much is sade in so few words. I have to read each word deliberately and sometimes with a dictionary at hand. Though it doesn't flow well (written as a journal of thoughts), when I slow down and ponder what is being communicated, it is deep, powerful, life changing, and relevant to this very day.

"Man cannot lose what he does not possess. He has only the present. He has neither the past nor the future."

While the phraseology and style may be off putting (difficult) and not consumed more than the first couple pages, the diligent and patient will walk away with a refreshed, redirected, or new life path.

I find myself jotting concepts down, tossing them on my Facebook page, talking with my wonderful bride, thinking how I can incorporate the higher standard in my life.

I mentioned the book "When Things Fall Apart". (Check out my review, buy a copy, keep some on hand). That is a great book to put it all back together, bandage yourself, rediscover peace and patience. This book is for when you are finally back on your feet and ready for an even more fulfilling and impactful life.

"Remember we are closer to death, wut even more closer to the casing of conception and understanding of things."

Make sure you read the Introduction. Creates a wonderful 'setting' you can visualize when Aurelius is describing what he is facing in each entry.

I also suggest keeping a notepad, Google Keep, or Evernote on hand to jot things down.

This is a great book for anyone wanting a foundational understanding of stoicism, how to be a much more grounded, quality person that impacts those around you simply by their knowing and watching you. Just think of those who have changed you the most. Few would be those who explain what they believe, how their beliefs are the best, and how you should join their belief group. Those who have impacted me the most, lived their lives and let me watch. This book equips you with principles and perspectives for a rock solid foundation. Thin in pages, thick in content. Another GREAT book is "On the Shortness of Life". A great companion read. ...more

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