Meditations by Marcus Aurelius - Book 5: Part 2

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• 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 2 - verses 14-36

Reading Time - 11 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. Our actions may be impeded by them, but there can be no impeding our intentions or our dispositions.
Because we can accommodate and adapt.
The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting.
The impediment to action advances action.
What stands in the way becomes the way.
(20)

What are the implications?

2. Remember:
Matter. How tiny your share of it
Time. How brief and fleeting your allotment of it.
Fate. How small a role you play in it.
(24)

How do you feel about this?

3. So other people hurt me?
That’s their problem.
Their character and actions are not mine.
What is done to me is ordained by nature, what I do by my own.
(25)

Do you agree or disagree?

4. —And until that time comes—what?
Honor and revere the gods, treat human beings as they deserve, be
tolerant with others and strict with yourself.
Remember, nothing belongs to you but your flesh and blood—and nothing else is under your control
(33)

What do you make of this?

5. I was once a fortunate man but at some point fortune abandoned me.
But true good fortune is what you make for yourself.
Good fortune: good character, good intentions, and good actions
(37)

How would you go about this?

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