Meditations (in the Park) by Marcus Aurelius - Book 9: Part 1 of 2

This event is outdoors seated on the grass in Bunhill Fields Burial Ground. In case of weather issues, please monitor Location/Comments.

Book 9 - Part 1 - verses 1-24

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Thoughts_of_the_Emperor_Marcus_Aurelius_Antoninus/Book_IX

Reading Time - 11 minutes

Knowledge of prior Books is not required

Gregory Hays translation recommended

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, thinkers and readers throughout the centuries:

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Thoughts_of_the_Emperor_Marcus_Aurelius_Antoninus

Questions we'll explore

1. So this is how a thoughtful person should await death: not with indifference, not with impatience, not with disdain, but simply viewing it as one of the things that happen to us.

Discuss

2. Objective judgment, now, at this very moment.
Unselfish action, now, at this very moment.
Willing acceptance—now, at this very moment—of all external events.

Do you need anything else?

3. Concrete objects can pull free of the earth more easily than humans can escape humanity.

What is the lesson?

4. Go straight to the seat of intelligence—your own, the world’s, your neighbour’s.

How would you go about this?

5. You participate in a society by your existence. Then participate in its life through your actions—all your actions. Any action not directed toward a social end (directly or indirectly) is a disturbance to your life, an obstacle to wholeness, a source of dissension.

What are the implications?

Instructions

• read the Book before session
• review the Questions
• arrive before 3pm

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