London Stoics

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius - Book 4: Part 1

Sun, Mar 22 · 2:50 PM GMT

Bunhill Fields Meeting House, Banner Street, London EC1Y 8QQ, London, GB

• read event description before signing up
• register on Meetup to attend
• update RSVP if plans change
• arrive at 2.50pm
• read the Book before session
• review the Questions

Book 4 - Part 1 - verses 1-24

Reading Time - 11 minutes

Knowledge of prior Books is not required

Gregory Hays translation used in session

Meditations is one of the greatest works of spiritual and ethical reflection ever written. With a profound understanding of human behaviour, Marcus provides insights, wisdom, and practical guidance on everything from living in the world to coping with adversity to interacting with others.

Explore this timeless collection that has been consulted and admired by leaders, readers and thinkers throughout the centuries.

Questions we'll explore

1. And among the things you turn to, these two:

i. That things have no hold on the soul. They stand there unmoving, outside it. Disturbance comes only from within—from our own perceptions.

ii. That everything you see will soon alter and cease to exist. Think of how many changes you’ve already seen.

“The world is nothing but change. Our life is only perception.” (3)

What do you make of this?

2. That sort of person is bound to do that. You might as well resent a fig tree for secreting juice. (Anyway, before very long you’ll both be dead— dead and soon forgotten.) (6)

How do you feel about this?

3. Two kinds of readiness are constantly needed:

(i) to do only what the logos of authority and law directs, with the good of human beings in mind;

(ii) to reconsider your position, when someone can set you straight or convert you to his. But your conversion should always rest on a conviction that it’s right, or benefits others—nothing else. Not because it’s more appealing or more popular (12)

What are the implications?

4. Not to be driven this way and that, but always to behave with justice and see things as they are. (22)

How would you go about this?

5. If you seek tranquillity, do less. (24)

Do you agree or disagree?

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