London Stoics

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius - Book 5: Part 1

Sun, Sep 27 · 2:50 PM BST

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, doors open 2.40pm
• read the Book before session
• review the Questions

Book 5 - Part 1 - verses 1-13

Reading Time - 12 minutes

Prior knowledge is not required

Gregory Hays translation used in session - buy here

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. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for—the things I was brought into the world to do?
Or is this what I was created for?
To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?
(1)

What are the implications?

2. They’re like a vine that produces grapes without looking for anything in return.
(6)

What happens to each of us is ordered.
It furthers our destiny.
(8)

How do you feel about this?

3. Then look at the way the people around you behave.
Even the best of them are hard to put up with—not to mention putting up with yourself.
.....
i. Nothing can happen to me that isn’t natural.
ii. I can keep from doing anything that God and my own spirit don’t
approve.
No one can force me to.
(10)

Do you agree or disagree?

4. Interrogate yourself, to find out what inhabits your so-called mind and
what kind of soul you have now.
(11)

How would you go about this?

5. Ask yourself whether we should accept as goods —and should value—the things we have to think of to have the line make sense—the ones whose abundance leaves their owner with “. . . no place to shit.”
(12)

What do you make of this?

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