It’s so easy to become overwhelmed by the world. With all the daily struggles of work, personal relationships, and obligations, we seek outside rewards. We book flights, spa appointments, and expensive beauty products, hoping for peace. And although all of those things can be excellent self-care tools, learning how to retreat in yourself is the only way to find true peace.
During a college philosophy course, we read Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, an ancient Roman Emperor. At the time of its writing, he was engulfed in multiple attacks, a failing economy, and a long list of enemies. Although we may not be heads of state, many of us deal with personal attacks, a questionable economy, and even a few frenemies.
What Does it Mean to Retreat into Yourself?
First, let’s look at what Marcus Aurelius said:
“Men seek retreats for themselves – in the country, by the sea, in the hills – and you yourself are particularly prone to this yearning. But all this is quite unphilosophic, when it is open to you, at any time you want, to retreat into yourself. No retreat offers someone more quiet and relaxation than that into his own mind, especially if he can dip into thoughts there which put him at immediate and complete ease: and by ease I simply mean a well-ordered life. So constantly give yourself this retreat, and renew yourself. The doctrines you will visit there should be few and fundamental, sufficient at one meeting to wash away all your pain and send you back free of resentment at what you must rejoin.”
If you can control your actions, you will have a happier life. You can retreat into your own mind and reflect. When we take time to reflect, beautiful things happen. We’re able to find peace and calm, without the assistanace of others. It’s truly the only think we can control.
It’s like when you’re having a tough day at work or feeling stressed. Instead of scrolling through TikTok or venting to friends (who probably can’t help you anyway), take a deep breathe, and take a moment to think things through. I love writing down my issues and breaking them down into small actionable steps that will lead to a solution. As the old proverb goes – How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!
The more you do this, the more you’ll realize that you most problems can figured out with a little willpower, education, and reflection. Now, this doesn’t mean that you should let your ego go unchecked, but you have to learn to trust yourself.
Marcus Aurelius Meditations Summary & Key Points
Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations was never meant to be published. In fact, they were a collection of Aurelius’s personal writings and thoughts. He was a student of Sextus the Boeotian and Rusticus, who taught him about the Stoic philosophy. Meditations testified to his adherence to stoicism and served as a personal guide for his self-improvement.
Scholars believe it was written around 167 A.C.E., while Aurelius was in the middle of military strategizing. It is made up of 12 sections, each with tons of highlighter-worthy passages. Conrad Gessner and Andreas published it in 1559. Here are the key points.
Key Points
Control What You Can and Leave the Rest
The only thing we truly have power over is our thoughts. When we can control our minds in healthy ways, it will show in our everyday actions. We should work towards our goals but cannot let them consume us.
Life is Short
We’re not here forever, so follow your dreams now. Go after your goals now. Life is not promised. Even so, we cannot focus too much on the future or the past. What can we do right now?
Cultivate Inner Virtue
Marcus emphasizes the importance of virtues like wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance. A person’s moral character and their ability to live virtuously matter far more than external success or failure.
Everyday We Become Better When We Practice Self Reflection
Reflecting on one’s thoughts and actions regularly is crucial for self-improvement.
Accept Suffering and Hardship
Humans will suffer. That’s something that most religions teach us. The goal is to handle these hardships with grace and to find the silver lining in everything. Pain and hardship are inevitable, but how we respond to them defines our character.
Community is Important
Carve out time for your family and friends. Don’t become so wrapped up in work and life that you forget those who care about you. And remember that you are stronger as a united front. Think about how your actions may impact your community and lead with compassion.
Refrain From Judgment and Ego
To achieve tranquility, one must avoid judging others or the world and work on letting go of one’s ego. Focusing on what others think will make one a slave to people one doesn’t even respect.
Marcus Aurelius Statues and Quotes
Here are the quotes to reflect on. Rereading these quotes always puts me in a better mindset when I’m stressed out or overwhelmed.
- “You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
- “Do not act as if you had ten thousand years to throw away. Death stands at your elbow. Be good for something while you live and it is in your power.”
- “The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.”
- “Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.”
- “Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.”
- “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
- “If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.”
- “Confine yourself to the present.”
- “Receive without conceit, release without struggle.”
- “When you arise in the morning, think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love.”
I hope this has helped! Let me know what you think below.
