Meditations By Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius begins his book, “Meditations”, by describing those who surround him, and those who have made an impact in his life. This project several lessons towards the way that Marcus Aurelius is now having a different perspective in life due to these persons/gods that he believes in. For example, he uses, “That I have the wife I do: obedient, loving, humble. That my children had competent teachers” (pg. 13). This quote is shown from the description that the Gods have given Aurelius. When he is speaking about both his wife and children, he explains how he needs to become a better person for them, in such how he needs to treat his wife with the outmost care, and for his children he needs to be their first teacher and be someone to look

In such case, Aurelius explains we react to the nature that surrounds us. For example, Aurelius uses, “Don’t ever forget these things: The nature of the world. My nature. How I relate to the world. What proportion of it I make up. That you are part of nature, and no one can prevent you from speaking and acting in harmony with it, always” (Pg. 19). This demonstrates how we relate to the world and how this affects us. In addition, it explains how decision of free will is part of our nature, and how we should be in harmony with nature and ourselves. We have to learn to live with our surroundings, and how they project themselves towards us. Furthermore, we have to acknowledge the fact that there are certain situations that have to be avoided. In this case, Aurelius uses, “You need to avoid certain things in your train of thought: everything random, everything irrelevant. And certainly everything self-important or malicious.” (Pg. 29). Aurelius used this so that the reader can understand that we have to exclude the irrelevant topics in our lives. Also, Aurelius wants the reader to see that there is more things to enjoy during our life period, and how we shouldn’t focus on the negative and be more on the positive

For instance he says, “Death: something like birth, a natural mystery, elements that split and recombine. Not an embarrassing thing. Not an offense to reason, or our nature.” (Pg.39). In this case, Aurelius is explaining how we shouldn’t be afraid about talk about death. In other words, he is saying how the subject of death shouldn’t be something that is taboo, and how we should use are mind to think about these kinds of situations because they will occur to each of us. In addition, Aurelius explains how we have the decision to make our decisions even though they can take a positive or a negative action. For example, “I can keep from doing anything that God and my own spirit don’t approve. No one can for me to.”(Pg. 58). Aurelius used this in order to show how we can make our own decisions. In this case, he talks about how neither God nor our spirit will overpower any decision that we make because no one can force us to do something but ourselves. Although we have the power to have free will, we also have to see the effects and consequences that our actions cause. For example, the author uses, “Everything derives from it-that universal mind-either as effect or consequence.” (Pg. 77). We have to focus in the optimistic side of the situation instead of always being pessimistic. We have to look forward what is coming towards us in a more positive