If there is order in the universe the man who is ignorant of its purpose is a stranger and a runaway. The man who has all that is sufficient in himself is the opposite. The man who has it together and is confident of his purpose can live a fulfilling life. The worst thing that can happen to you is to fail to live the way you are destined to live. For instance, failing to become who you were created to be, failing to have some sort of impact in other people’s lives, or failing to fulfill...

Meditations 4.28. A black heart is an unmanly heart. When we behave irrationally we act like children or animals. This is why we must examine our impressions so irrational thoughts and beliefs do not get to us. Being an irrational person can have any number of effects on you personally. Although irrational behaviors may satisfy our primal natures, it rarely does any good for our interpersonal relationships or status within our social structures. There is an assumption that as a species, we...

Meditations 4.27 states Either an ordered Universe or a medley heaped together mechanically but still an order; With Stoicism there is the belief that everything is subject to fate and therefore determined.  But everything is also interconnected. Marcus further writes or can order subsist in you and disorder in the Whole! The whole meaning ua all of us the whole of mankind. This is where the debate comes in with Stoicism. Is fate determined for us or can we direct our own fate in life. Do we...

Do you ever feel like your life is running on autopilot? Do you feel detached from experiences in your daily life because too much is going on or you are distracted? Being present and being mindful are vital practices for health and wellness. Mindfulness and presence exercises are a great way to reduce stress and stay connected to the experience that you are having. What Is Being Present? Being in the present moment and being focused on the now means that you are fully aware of the moment,...

Tranquility. It is what we seek through the study of Stoic philosophy. But tranquility comes from within not from external factors. It requires focus on individual improvement and not to be distracted by things beyond our power. When your mind is continuously focused on negative thoughts or when you spend all day stressed out, it affects your mindset and your choices. And when you are Tranquil and have joy in your life, this also influences how you think and act. And when you focus on...

Everything harmonizes with me, which is harmonious to thee, O Universe. Nothing for me is too early nor too late, which is in due time for thee. We do not know what fate has in store for us. But our fate is not relevant. It is our present purpose that is important. It is the present moment that matters. This is where we have control. This is where we make decisions in life. The world continues to move. Things to not cease in movement. We must understand this to live a life of purpose. We do...

Your existence here on earth is not a mistake, you were born for a purpose. “Pursuing your purpose” is not something that is farfetched and beyond reach but a mission that can be fulfilled. It’s actually an instrument for a better, joyous, and exciting life that too few people attempt to use.

To the Stoics, the cosmos is a single pantheistic god, one which is rational and creative, and which is the basis of everything which exists. The world is one, and must arise from one principle. The active substance of the world is characterized as a 'breath', or pneuma. Meditations 4.21 asks if the atmosphere has room for them from time eternal . Where is our place in the universe especially with the immortal soul?

Meditations Four Nineteen and Twenty show two diverse concepts. Meditations Four nineteen looks at the foolishness of achieving and having continued fame. One is all in a flutter over his subsequent fame. Fame can burnout like a lamp that is snuffed out. Meditations Four Twenty takes a different approach where what is good in life needs no praise or extra attention. Does anything beautiful in life need more praise than what they actually are? In no case does what is praised become better or...

Meditations Book 4 Chapter 18 shows that If you are to be good, your prime concern is with your own conduct and thoughts, not with your neighbor. This will give the quiet and tranquility to live a good life. Run toward your goal and be balanced. Do not worry about making comparisons of others.

Meditations 16 states “Within ten days you will appear a god even to those to whom to-day you seem a beast or a baboon”. Right now people may not have that much of an opinion of you. They may think of you as a beast or a baboon. But with progress you can appear a god if you choose to be a good person. Most likely this cannot be done in ten days but can be done over time. Meditations 17 further shows we do not have time to wait for this. Fate is hanging over your head; while you have life,...

Meditations four 14 and 15 reinforces the concept that there is a seed of reason in all of us. From this there we a part of the greater whole. For each one of us, choices are presented every moment for the small as well as the grand things in our lives.

Meditations 4. 12. shows two ways to find purpose through two guiding principles. The first is to act in the principle of doing what is right for mankind. The second is if you change purpose in life to have someone to guide you like a mentor or teacher. Whatever actions are taken it is to be taken with the idea of the common benefit. But this may not be a popular viewpoint to have. Acting with a purpose means being true to ourselves. The only way of finding your true purpose in life is by...

Meditation book four verse 11 states "Don't regard things in the light in which he who does the wrong judges them, nor as he wishes you to judge them: but see them as in truth they are." It is easy to make judgements without merit. Making judgements requires us to be more self ware. When we are self aware we can see the truth of any situation. Self-awareness is more than just a helpful life skill. Self-awareness is getting in touch with your feelings, how you react to situations, the way you...

Meditations 4.10 shows the importance of goodness in every action.  There is no question. Life nowadays is marked by daily challenges, most of which are a result of the complex economic situation that has led to job scarcity and losses as well as salaries that can barely cover the basics. This is just an example of a common problem in the lives of the general public but we also have failed relationships, broken families, and depression resulting from various factors among other problems. We...

Meditations 4 7 about removing the judgement you are hurt and the hurt goes away seems simple enough. It is not things but our judgement of things that affect us is an essential teaching. But how do we do this when we are bombarded by things that affect us?  The world that we are living in today is anything but peaceful and predictable. It seems that every day there is some new tragedy or cause for fear that demands every ounce of our attention. These incidences come from every direction and...

There is a great article written recently on the Forge publication on the site medium by writer Amy Shearn titled What Happened When I Went Full Stoic. In it there is a fantastic section detailing how Stoicism was made for times like this. Meditations book 4.5 is especially made for times like this. We avoid death but as Marcus Aurelius writes this is not a thing of which man should be ashamed. Death should be embraced as a certainty by reasonable creatures. Even in the face of the...

Think of some phrases in Meditations 4.4. Reason is common to us which makes us rational beings. The universe is a kind of community. We all have reason. We can use reason for the common good. One place we can start is respecting each other. Everyone wants to feel respected. Respect allows one to perform better in their career, build better relationships, and gain confidence. One of the most important ways to gain respect is to focus on others rather than yourself. This will allow you to be...

Meditations 4.3 is a classic passage about how we can retreat into ourselves to find stillness. We all know how draining things can be. Life is overwhelming! Sometimes it seems hopeless. Sometimes you feel helpless. Sometimes it seems as though inner peace is an impossibility. Dispel those fears right now  with the practices necessary to turn inner peace into a habit. In no time, it will just be another part of your day.

The most important thing about knowing your purpose is that it will give you the strength you need to persevere, keep on trying, and get back up each time you fall. Knowing who you are meant to be and the impact you can have in the world will keep you moving forward despite unpromising circumstances or opposition. Knowing your purpose will give you peace in life. Peace with yourself, peace with your purpose, peace with your methods, and peace in everything you do.

Meditations 4.1 shows the belief that there is a good reason for one’s existence gives life a meaning and a reason for the person to look forward to the next day. That need to fulfill one’s purpose and add value to the world around us is not something we randomly act on and succeed. On top of knowing what makes us who we are or should be, we need to map ways through which we can stay firm and focused on the reason for our existence.

Meditations 3 16 has a line that states 'to have the mind as guide to what appear to be duties'. The learned man has a mind  directed to right the right ends in life. These ends are necessary to live according to nature. It means having the right life skills through learning and habit to make our character endure.

When you read Meditations 3.15 there seems to be a message that the foolish neither understand the world they live in, nor the real meaning of what they say in  the words they use. It seems to contrast outward senses such as sight and smell with an inward vision. It means looking beyond the obvious. That vision can also be your own personal power. Personal power is not about control but more of a person's attitude or state of mind. Its primary aim is self-mastery. Your personal power is...

Meditations 3.14 starts off by saying stop your wanderings. Do you feel like you are wandering in life? It may be because of procrastination. tBefore you can begin to improve your life, you have to slay your habit of procrastination. There are tactics can motivate you even more to continue staying clear of the habit of procrastination.

The first line of Meditations 3.13 has the line doctors have their instruments and scalpels always at hand to meet sudden demands for treatment. Think of a checklist for doctors with medical procedures. Does your to-do list seem to be growing out of control? Perhaps your tasks have gone from manageable to seemingly overwhelming. Daily, we are presented with obligations that shape our actions. Despite our best efforts, laziness can slowly creep into our routine and prevent us from being...