Acquire the contemplative way of seeing how all things
change into one another, and constantly attend to it, and exercise yourself
about this part of philosophy. For nothing is so much adapted to produce magnanimity.
Such a man has put off the body, and as he sees that he
must, no one knows how soon, go away from among men and leave everything here,
he gives himself up entirely to just doings in all his actions, and in
everything else that happens he resigns himself to the Universal Nature.
But as to what any man shall say or think about him or do
against him, he never even thinks of it, being himself contented with these two
things—with acting justly in what he now does, and being satisfied with what is
now assigned to him; and he lays aside all distracting and busy pursuits, and
desires nothing else than to accomplish the straight course through the law,
and by accomplishing the straight course to follow God.
—Marcus
Aurelius, Meditations, Book 10.11 (tr
Long)
The noise of
the world seems to want to tell me that I must always be very busy, constantly
occupied with as many chores and tasks as possible. If I do this correctly, I
earn the right to brag about how exhausting it is to perform all of my assigned
duties.
Now what would
happen if I stopped to actually think about what I am doing? Imagine if someone
asked me what I had done this afternoon, and instead of offering the usual
litany about taking the kids to ballet practice, finishing that report about
the Johnson account, and meeting Barbara for drinks, I just said that I sat
down and watched the birds darting about and listened to the grass growing.
Let the strange
looks and the worried whispers commence!
Yet this is
precisely the sort of calm reflection we all need so much more of, in order to
put aside the diversions of this life for the sake of a richer context. In
particular, it helps us to always be aware of all the constant changes, however
sudden or gradual they may be, and recognizing the patterns that underlie them.
Most importantly, this strengthens our ability to be magnanimous, to have a
great soul that can rise above the lesser in order to show reverence for the
greater.
I may want to
say that I used all of my marketing gifts to sign a million-dollar contract
with a new client today, when I should be able to say that I used all of my philosophical
gifts to become a kinder and better man today. No, this isn’t just for an hour
or two of pious socializing at church, or even for a week or two of relaxation
on vacation, but for each and every moment of each and every day.
If I see how
easily things will come and go, then I will also see that there can be nothing
lasting or fulfilling in any of these circumstances. I can accordingly dedicate
myself to that which is truly mine, the justice of my own actions, and accept
anything else that may come my way simply as an opportunity to become more
fully human.
I am really
only left with the wholehearted pursuit of virtue, and the deepest respect for
Providence. That is sufficient for a good life, and all the rest can be left
behind.
Written in 1/2009
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