Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 10.11

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