Marcus Aurelius was born in Rome, Italy, in 121 AD. Believed by many to be the last of the great Roman emperors, Aurelius served as commander-in-chief from 161 to 180 AD.

One of the most notable aspects of the emperor was his philosophical approach to the world. He was a recognized Stoic, and his most renowned work, Meditations, was actually his personal diary that was inadvertently made public. Even after almost two thousand years, the book of Meditations continues to circulate globally.

Marcus Aurelius, often considered the most well-known Stoic philosopher in the modern age, he believed in a life with balance, moral focus, and self-control. His philosophy emphasized the importance of accepting and embracing the unpredictability of life, finding understanding and happiness within oneself, practicing the deep formation of virtue in all aspects of existence. His philosophy and lessons provide a significant contribution in the search for happiness and contentment in an such a complex world.

Marcus Aurelius's philosophy teaches us all to focus on what we can control, our thoughts, our actions and our attitudes, rather than being overthrown by external influences. By acknowledging that the world consistently evolves, and that we are simply a small cog in an incredibly vast universal wheel we have the ability to find fulfillment and happiness in our every day lives. Meditations had a profound impact on the world and throughout it, he elaborates on the importance of empathy, recognizing the common good in all individuals and the promotion of kindness and compassion towards others.

Marcus Aurelius's contributions to the search for happiness are significant because of his simple understanding of human nature and his teachings on how to navigate life's challenges with wisdom, integrity, and resilience. His philosophy continues to inspire and help individuals traverse life in their pursuit of purpose, fulfillment and happiness.

I have read meditations and am constantly heading back in and out of the vast array of unique perspectives he had in life and the world. I think it’s a valuable book to have available at all times, as there are huge amounts of wisdom to be found for all of us.

“you could have said of him (as the day of Socrates) that he new how to enjoy and abstain from things, that most people find it hard to abstain from and all too easy to enjoy. Strength, perseverance, self control in both areas : the mark of a soul in readiness-indomitable”

“No where you go is more peaceful - more free of interruptions. Then your own soul”

“Remember Matter: how tiny your share of it

Time: how brief and fleeting your allotment of it

Fate: how small a role you play in it”

“There is a limit to the time assigned to you, and if you don’t use it to free yourself it will be gone and will never return.”

He was truly a remarkable person in the way, that at the peak of his power, his perception was not deterred, his understanding of life and the human evolution, not tainted by a misperception of being better than others, purely because of status. He maintained balance, appreciation for life, gratitude, and the forever pursuit of improvement.


Thanks,

Dean