Meditations: Breakdown of the Emperor's journal.
Stoic philosophy is over 2000 years old. It has survived because of its simplicity and relevance to modern life. The basic tenets of Stoicism are:
We are a tiny insignificant part of the divine universe (nature) which we do not understand. We cannot control the events that befall us. Whatever befalls us is in line with nature and we should accept it as such (Fate and Chance).
Such events are neither good nor bad, it’s our opinions that make them so.
The only thing we can control is how we respond to such events. We need to train our will (executive function of the brain/rational thoughts) and through that our emotions and actions.
Nature dictates that Man is a social animal. Living well with others is our duty since it is in line with nature.
The way to a better life is by performing this duty according to 4 cardinal virtues: Justice (giving others what is due to them based on their merits), Temperance (indifference to material things), Courage (good action despite fear), and Wisdom (the ability to differentiate between good and evil).
Meditations is the personal diary of the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Within it are contained 12 chapters (Books) that reflect the life and struggles of a Stoic philosopher. The chapters are not arranged in any order. This is probably because he journaled to personally reflect on the crisis of the day. The verses are, at times, difficult to follow, are disjointed, and the central message of each verse is often repeated in other verses. This probably suggests that unlike other surviving stoic literary works which are more organized, this journal was probably not meant for others to read.
I have read the book several times and I have found solace in the words of the emperor. I carry a copy with me everywhere I go. Within the book lie answers to the big questions of life such as: What is a good life? What is death? How to live a good life? How to live without fear?. The book answers questions that every leader faces: What is justice? How to serve? How to take criticism? How to work with others? How to relinquish power?. There are answers to questions faced by citizens: What is the common good? What is Duty? How to find common ground? How to tolerate others?
The book is best read cover to cover. But I have compiled the chapters (books) and verses that inform on common themes and broadly divided them into 3 categories: Life, Leadership, and Character. The list is not exhaustive, and every reader is encouraged to independently make his or her own conclusions about the themes contained in the verses. The purpose of this endeavor is to allow the reader to find pertinent verses that help with the crisis at hand. This will make the Meditations a more practical guide for the reader. I have introduced this book to several of my colleagues and leaders. I have gifted this to patients and friends. I believe that this book has helped them make life changing decisions with confidence. I actively hope that it does the same for you.
LIFE:
Death: Book IV, verse 48 (IV-48); VI-24; VI-47; VIII-31; IX-3; X-36
Time: Book II, verse 5 (II-5); II-14; IV-48; VII-24
Good and Evil: Book II, verse 11( II-11); IV-8, IV-39; VI-41; VII-1
Good Life: II-17; III-4; V-34; VI-30; VII-29; VIII-1; VIII-51; IX-6; X-31; XI-19; XI-37; XII-29
Consequence: IV-3; VII-1; XII-21; XII-32
Philosophy: II-17; III-1; IX-29; IX-41
Worry: VIII-36
Happiness: V-34
LEADERSHIP:
Obstacles: IV-1; IV-49; V-20; VI-50; VII-58; VII-68; VIII-47; X-35; XII-26
Legacy: IV-19; VIII-31; IX-29; XII-32
Opposition: VI-50; VIII-16; IX-27; XI-9; XI-18; XII-12; XII-16
Relationship: VII-4; VIII-14; VIII-59; IX-9; IX-11; IX-42; X-30; XI-9; XI-18; XII-16
Leadership: VII-5
Duty: VII-45
CHARACTER:
Character: I-8; V-5;V-6; VII-69
Moderation: I-16; VII-55; XI-11
Justice: IV-37; VII-55
Tolerance: II-1
Wisdom: II-5; III-1; IV-37; VII-2; VIII-48
Fortune: V-36; VII-34; VII-73; VIII-3; XII-14
Control: VI-16; VI-41; VIII-8; VIII-17; XI-2; XII-12
Anger: V-28
Honor: VI-18; IX-29; XII-4
Purpose: VI-47; VIII-19
Health: VI-35; VII-60
-Aneesh