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Marcus Aurelius was Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD.He faced attacks on the Empire from Germans in the North, Egypt in the south and on his Eastern flanks.These conflicts exposed Rome's armies to plague, massacre and relentless guerrilla warfare.
Although not trained as a General, Aurelius campaigned on the battlefields with his men.He kept journals whilst fighting wars (12 books in all) to collect his thoughts on his Fate and the vicissitudes of Life.
Marcus Aurelius was Roman Emperor from 161 to 180 AD.He faced attacks on the Empire from Germans in the North, Egypt in the south and on his Eastern flanks.These conflicts exposed Rome's armies to plague, massacre and relentless guerrilla warfare.
Although not trained as a General, Aurelius campaigned on the battlefields with his men.He kept journals whilst fighting wars (12 books in all) to collect his thoughts on his Fate and the vicissitudes of Life.
His "meditations" are a formula for remaining steadfast in the face of appalling circumstances.Copies of his notes survived and one is kept in the Vatican library - great leaders have studied them for inspiration.
He argues that any conditions can be made tolerant through:
1. Sound ongoing education and free thinking.
2. Personal conclusions which one must draw about the way the Universe works to find meaning and purpose.
3. Work from these first principles to determine the character traits needed to sustain a harmonious existence.
This system underpins the training of future leaders in English public schools and has found its way into Leadership Coaching and Personal Development training.
This course will give some context to Meditations.
We link the core principles to the way you can Live and Lead today.
Putting "Meditations" into an historical context.
Explains the circumstances behind Aurelius's decision to record his thoughts about Life generally not simply to record the events of his reign.
How to cope with a life of monstrous barbarity without going insane.
Three major themes:
Gain an education and learn to think independently.
From the evidence you gather form your own world view and basic principles for living.
Determine the character traits which flow from holding this set of values and beliefs.
Book 10 Section 6 - a broad summary of his overall thinking.
Context in which Aurelius is learning about the world.
What is the world made of? How does it work? What is the best way to live in such a world?
The Scientific Method - cause and effect - impact on ideas of Free Will.
Value in suspending emotional reactions in order to form rational scientific conclusions.
Challenge all preconceived notions.
Science and Logic as the gateways to living a more serene accepting and spiritual existence.
Not the archetypal way an Emperor might be considered to view the world in which he is has supreme authority amongst men.
Try to raise your consciousness to establish a connection at the level of pure "soul" or "spirit" with your fellow men.
Cultivate heightened levels of sensitivity and intellect to rise above our animal instincts and emotions.
Study the greatest Universal Themes. Raise your Cosmic Consciousness.
Stay focused and think positive thoughts.
Study the great thinkers.
Aurelius was most influenced by:
Heraclitus
Epictetus
Diogenes
Plato
Socrates
Be serious about learning
Study hard
Develop professional detachment
Seek that with transcends the earthly and reaches the spiritual level
Spot significant patterns and themes which govern Life
Aim for Enlightenment
A short examination of the tension between Determinism (everything is going to happen just as the laws of science dictate) and Free Will ( our thoughts and actions can affect the way events unfold).
The bitter reality of existence can be best tolerated by developing the higher inner mind and a philosophical disposition.
Once a philosophical model is embraced it ripples through into ideas about relationships with others and political organisation.
Still the Mind to Feel the Force. To find serenity practice the art of meditation and gentle self reflection.
Metaphor of a bee hive to describe how communities operate through mutual co-operation.
Aurelius could not go so far as to accept that Science renders the Gods redundant. Old habits die hard and his unprovable inner conviction that we co-exist with beneficent Gods remains central to his system of thinking.
Aurelius contrasts all his ideas against the backdrop of our Earthly condition - nasty, short and brutish lives followed by Death and Decay - hence the need for the Consolation of Philosophy.
Aurelius seems to have discovered the modern process of recovery from trauma. To find serenity we must cultivate acceptance, courage and wisdom.
Book One is the only part of Meditations which reads somewhat like a normal book. It summarises his thoughts on Admired Character Traits.
Character development and the value of living simply.
Invest in good quality education.
No need to become academic - keep it simple. Read Epictetus.
By working with and not against the flow of the logos one gains strength through flexibility and humility.
The end point of philosophy and the intent of the logos is to live with loving kindness to all in our hearts.
How to get along with all people in an harmonious manner.
Aurelius as the Constitutional Monarch - all men must be free to embrace the inner life and develop themselves fully.
Basic characteristics of a good friend - worth trying to adopt these traits.
Although Aurelius aims to subdue the ego he still flatters his adopted father - he may have genuine intentions but it also makes sound political sense to do this.
Always keep on the right side of the Gods - makes sense to adopt the attitude of gratitude.
All summed up in the Serenity Prayer coupled with a healthy respect for the Gods or Higher Powers as he conceives them.
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