From Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations: Selection from Book 5, Part 2 of 2

Let us now continue with the interesting insights by Marcus Aurelius, from his book “Meditations,” Book 5. The author unfolds aspects of life, which, if looked at in a proper manner, become part of a smoother journey for the soul.

“Things are wrapped in such a veil of mystery that many good philosophers have found it impossible to make sense of them. ‘And not get impatient in the meantime, but take refuge in these two things: 1. Nothing can happen to me that isn’t natural. 2. I can keep from doing anything that God and my own spirit don’t approve.’”

“Honor that which is greatest in the world – that on whose business all things are employed and by whom they are governed. And honor what is greatest in yourself: the part that shares its nature with that power. All things – in you as well – are employed about its business, and your life is governed by it.”

“Keep in mind how fast things pass by and are gone – those that are now, and those to come. Existence flows past us like a river: the ‘what’ is in constant flux, the ‘why’ has a thousand variations. Nothing is stable, not even what’s right here. The infinity of past and future gapes before us – a chasm whose depths we cannot see. So, it would take an idiot to feel self-importance or distress. Or any indignation, either. As if the things that irritate us lasted.”

“The mind is the ruler of the soul. It should remain unstirred by agitations of the flesh – gentle and violent ones alike. Not mingling with them, but fencing itself off and keeping those feelings in their place. When they make their way into your thoughts, through the sympathetic link between mind and body, don’t try to resist the sensation. The sensation is natural. But don’t let the mind start in with judgments, calling it ‘good’ or ‘bad.’”

“‘To live with the gods.’ And to do that is to show them that your soul accepts what it is given and does what the spirit requires – the spirit God gave each of us to lead and guide us, a fragment of Himself. Which is our mind, our logos (divine reason).”