STOICISM | How Marcus Aurelius Keeps Calm

Summary

This video explores the Stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius, focusing on his practical teachings for a tranquil life. Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor, emphasized living virtuously, doing less by eliminating unnecessary actions, and focusing on essential tasks. He believed in the power of inner peace, achieved through reflection rather than external distractions like travel. His meditations highlight the importance of short mental retreats, the transient nature of life, and the acceptance that everything passes. These Stoic principles offer timeless advice on productivity and tranquility.

Takeaways

• 👑 Marcus Aurelius, as emperor of Rome, aimed to live a virtuous life through Stoicism, unlike many of his predecessors and successors.
• 🧘‍♂️ Stoicism emphasizes maintaining a calm mind and achieving true happiness through inner peace.
• 📚 Marcus Aurelius' famous work, *Meditations*, reveals his coping mechanisms, including negative visualization, a Stoic practice.
• 🔑 (1) Do Less: Focus on essential tasks and eliminate unnecessary actions, as excess leads to stress.
• 🗣 Talking less is also important, as meaningless conversations waste time and energy.
• 📋 Planning tasks the night before helps maintain focus and brings mental calmness by reducing worries.
• 🏞 (2) Short Escapes: Marcus Aurelius advises finding peace within oneself rather than relying on travel or external escapes.
• 💭 Contemplation and meditation are recommended for renewing the mind and fostering tranquility.
• ⏳ (3) Remembering That All Shall Pass: Embracing the transient nature of life helps reduce anxiety about change and impermanence.
• 🌍 Everything is in constant flux, and Stoicism teaches that focusing on inner perceptions and reactions helps navigate life's inevitable changes.

Q & A

Who was Marcus Aurelius and what made him unique among Roman emperors?

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor known for living virtuously and following Stoic philosophy, which emphasized self-control and inner peace. Unlike many of his predecessors and successors, he consistently sought to apply these principles in his life.

What is Stoicism and how does it relate to happiness?

Stoicism is a philosophy that teaches the importance of keeping a calm and rational mind, focusing on what can be controlled. According to Stoics, true happiness is found in flourishing, which is always accompanied by inner peace.

How did Marcus Aurelius practice 'negative visualization,' and why is it significant?

Negative visualization involves imagining the worst possible outcomes to mentally prepare for challenges. Marcus Aurelius used this practice to start his day, helping him cope with stress and maintain a calm state of mind.

What does Marcus Aurelius mean by 'doing less' and how does it lead to tranquility?

'Doing less' means focusing only on essential tasks and eliminating unnecessary activities. By simplifying actions and avoiding distractions, Marcus Aurelius believed one could achieve greater tranquility and efficiency.

Why does Marcus Aurelius emphasize talking less as part of 'doing less'?

He observed that many conversations are unproductive and waste time and energy. By reducing unnecessary talk, people can focus on more meaningful and productive activities.

How can making a list of tasks the night before help maintain focus and tranquility?

By planning tasks ahead, the mind is less burdened with decision-making in the morning, allowing for a calmer and more organized approach to the day.

What are 'short escapes' in Stoicism, and how do they differ from recreational travel?

'Short escapes' refer to brief moments of mental retreat or reflection, often through meditation. Unlike recreational travel, which only provides temporary relief, Stoics believe inner peace comes from within, not from changing external environments.

What are the two key reflections Marcus Aurelius suggests for mental retreats?

The two reflections are: (1) things outside the soul do not disturb it, and (2) everything is subject to change and will eventually cease to exist. These thoughts help bring perspective and calm.

What is the Stoic concept of 'Memento Mori,' and how does it help achieve peace of mind?

'Memento Mori' means 'remember you must die.' By accepting the inevitability of death and the transient nature of life, Stoics find peace in understanding that clinging to life or fearing its end is unnecessary.

How does the idea that 'all shall pass' help individuals cope with life's challenges?

By recognizing that both good and bad times are temporary, people can reduce anxiety and emotional attachment. This Stoic principle encourages individuals to focus on how they react to changes, rather than resisting them.

Outlines

00:00

👑 Marcus Aurelius and the Pursuit of Stoic Virtue

Marcus Aurelius, the Roman emperor, stood out by striving to live virtuously through Stoic philosophy, which emphasizes maintaining a calm mind and inner peace. Despite his burdensome leadership role, Aurelius found solace in Stoicism, particularly in negative visualization, a meditative practice still used today. His key teaching encourages 'doing less,' which means cutting out unnecessary actions and speech, and focusing on essential, productive activities. By eliminating distractions, we can not only achieve more tranquility but also work more effectively. Aurelius advises making a task list the night before to premeditate and calm the mind.

05:00

🧘 Short Mental Escapes for Peace

Aurelius challenges the idea of seeking peace through travel or external retreats, as true tranquility lies within. He asserts that one’s soul is the most peaceful refuge, accessible anytime through brief, internal mental retreats. These 'short escapes' resemble meditation, offering moments for reflection and self-renewal. Aurelius advises pondering two things during these retreats: first, that external things do not disturb the soul—only our perceptions do; and second, that everything in the world is transient and will cease to exist, reminding us that life is ever-changing and impermanent.

⏳ Embrace the Transience of Life

Aurelius emphasizes the Stoic practice of 'Memento Mori,' the remembrance of death, which encourages the acceptance of life’s fleeting nature. Everything passes, from trends to possessions to relationships, yet this realization can bring calm instead of anxiety. Understanding the impermanence of both good and bad times helps us remain emotionally balanced. The idea that happiness and suffering are relative and transient allows us to focus on how we react to life’s changes. Aurelius encourages us to avoid taking life too seriously, reminding us that the things that trouble us will not last forever.

Keywords

💡Stoicism

Stoicism is a philosophical school that emphasizes maintaining a calm mind, inner peace, and rational thinking, even in stressful situations. In the video, Marcus Aurelius is portrayed as a Stoic philosopher who practiced these principles, aiming to live virtuously while managing the responsibilities of being an emperor.

💡Virtue

In Stoicism, virtue is central to a life well-lived. It refers to moral excellence and the consistent effort to act in ways that are ethical and beneficial to oneself and others. Marcus Aurelius is noted for his commitment to virtue, contrasting with other leaders who sought power without considering moral integrity.

💡Inner peace

Inner peace, or tranquility, is a state of mental calmness and freedom from stress, which Stoics like Marcus Aurelius considered essential for true happiness. The video explains how he achieved this through reflection, self-discipline, and focusing on what is within his control, rather than external chaos.

💡Negative visualization

Negative visualization is a Stoic practice where one imagines worst-case scenarios to prepare for life's challenges and reduce anxiety. The video mentions Marcus Aurelius using this method as part of his daily routine to keep his mind focused on what truly matters, helping him stay calm and composed.

💡Do less

This concept in the video refers to focusing only on essential tasks and eliminating unnecessary activities. Marcus Aurelius advised doing less but better, highlighting the importance of working more intelligently. This approach promotes productivity while maintaining mental tranquility.

💡Mindful approach

A mindful approach involves being deliberate and focused in one’s actions, paying attention to what is necessary and beneficial. In the video, this concept ties into Marcus Aurelius’ advice to eliminate distractions and focus on what is truly important, enhancing both efficiency and tranquility.

💡Short escapes

Short escapes refer to brief mental retreats, similar to meditation or moments of reflection, which Marcus Aurelius encouraged as a way to renew the mind. Instead of physical travel, he suggested retreating into one’s own mind for peace, as external circumstances cannot provide lasting tranquility.

💡Memento Mori

Memento Mori, meaning 'remember death,' is a Stoic practice that reminds individuals of their mortality, urging them to live meaningfully. Marcus Aurelius used this idea to emphasize the impermanence of life, teaching that everything will pass, and therefore, we should not cling too tightly to pleasures or fears.

💡Perception

In Stoicism, perception refers to how we interpret and react to external events. The video explains how Marcus Aurelius believed that things themselves do not disturb us—our perceptions do. This idea helps maintain inner peace by controlling how we respond to challenges and changes.

💡Impermanence

Impermanence is the concept that everything is in a constant state of flux and will eventually change or cease to exist. Marcus Aurelius reflected on the fleeting nature of life, teaching that by accepting this reality, we can remain calm and less attached to outcomes, leading to greater peace.

Highlights

Marcus Aurelius aimed to live virtuously and consistently followed the Stoic philosophy.

Stoicism emphasizes the ability to maintain a calm mind, which leads to true happiness and inner peace.

Marcus Aurelius wrote 'Meditations' to illustrate how he coped with the stresses of leadership.

Negative visualization, a Stoic practice, was used by Marcus Aurelius as a meditative way to start his day.

A key teaching from Marcus Aurelius is 'Do less,' meaning focus on essential activities to achieve calm and productivity.

The Stoics value productivity and industriousness, but also stress the importance of moderation and eliminating unnecessary actions.

'Doing less' also means talking less and avoiding meaningless conversations that waste time and energy.

Marcus Aurelius advised asking, 'Is this necessary?' to eliminate non-essential activities and assumptions.

Preplanning daily tasks the night before can help maintain focus and calm the mind, according to Marcus Aurelius.

Marcus Aurelius discouraged traveling for tranquility, believing true peace comes from within and not external locations.

Short mental escapes, similar to meditation or contemplation, can renew the mind and help cope with daily stresses.

Marcus Aurelius taught that disturbances come from within, not from external things, and everything we see will eventually change.

The Stoic concept of 'Memento Mori' reminds us that life is fleeting, encouraging acceptance of death and life's impermanence.

By remembering that all shall pass, Marcus Aurelius suggested we should not cling to the good or fear the bad.

Marcus Aurelius emphasized that the past and future are vast and unknowable, and it's irrational to feel distress or self-importance about the present.

Transcripts

As emperor of Rome, he was the most powerful man on the planet.

Yet, as opposed to many of his successors and predecessors, Marcus Aurelius aimed to live virtuously

on a consistent basis.

He followed a philosophical school called Stoicism.

Part of Stoic philosophy is the ability to keep a calm mind.

As a matter of fact, the Stoics believe that humans in a state of flourishing have attained

true happiness, which always goes together with inner peace.

Needless to say, Marcus Aurelius was a busy man, carrying the burden of leadership over

an empire, and all the stress that comes from this.

His work, Meditations, gives us an idea of how he coped.

Marcus Aurelius is famous for his negative visualization, which modern Stoics use as

a meditative practice to start the day.

Since I’ve got a separate video about this, I’d like to focus on his lesser-known teachings

that we can use as practical advice for more tranquil lives.

This first one is very simple:

(1) Do less

It’s a no brainer, right?

In order to become calmer, we should simply do less.

Now, it’s important to mention that the Stoics hold productivity in high regard, as

they see it as a virtue to be industrious.

On the other hand, moderation is a virtue as well.

So, how, exactly should we do less, when we’re supposed to be industrious?

Marcus Aurelius observed that people do many things that aren’t necessary.

In the current age, we have access to almost unlimited entertainment, so it’s very easy

to get caught up in all kinds of non-productive activities.

With ‘doing less’, Marcus Aurelius also meant: talking less.

Many conversations are nonsensical, lead to nowhere, and only waste our time and energy.

So, ‘doing less’ means doing the essential.

And doing the essential not only means that we cut out the nonsense, but also that we

work more intelligently and efficiently.

A big advantage that we gain from this, besides tranquility, is that we can do less, better.

Doing the essential consistently takes a mindful approach.

I quote:

If you can eliminate it, you’ll have more time, and more tranquillity.

Ask yourself at every moment, “Is this necessary?”

But we need to eliminate unnecessary assumptions as well, to eliminate the unnecessary actions

that follow.

End quote.

A good habit that helps to stay focused on our daily endeavors, is making a list of tasks

the night before.

This way, we premeditate on what we have to do when we get up in the morning, which has

a calming effect on the mind.

Because when we design our days beforehand, there’s one less thing for the mind to worry about.

(2) Short escapes

In another video, I’ve explained that the Stoics aren’t too fond of traveling for

recreational purposes, and don’t see it as a good way to seek tranquility.

The reason for that is that wherever we go, we take ourselves with us.

So, the effects of traveling are only temporary.

Thus, as soon as the novelty subsides we’ll be confronted with our own minds again.

Marcus Aurelius was critical of people seeking refuge from daily worries by traveling or

residing in quiet places like the mountains or beaches.

In his mind, this was an idiotic thing to do, because why should we travel when we can

get away by going within?

“Nowhere you can go is more peaceful—more free of interruptions—than your own soul,”

he said.

There’s nothing wrong with changing scenery once in while to facilitate our mental retreats,

as long as we keep these escapes basic and brief.

What Marcus Aurelius proposed reminds me a lot of meditation.

Or perhaps, moments of reflection and contemplation, in order to renew ourselves so we can calmy

proceed our daily lives.

He gave us two things to ponder over if we choose to briefly retreat in our minds.

I quote:

(1) That things have no hold on the soul.

They stand there unmoving, outside it.

Disturbance comes only from within—from our own perceptions.

And two:

(2) That everything you see will soon alter and cease to exist.

Think of how many changes you’ve already seen.

“The world is nothing but change.

Our life is only perception.”

End quote.

Which brings us to the next piece of advice, which is...

(3) Remembering that all shall pass

The Stoics are infamous for remembering the frightening reality of life: that it’s going

to end.

Memento Mori means the remembrance of death, which is the ultimate acceptance that the

changing nature of the universe also means the decay and vanishing of ourselves.

Marcus Aurelius tells us to keep in mind how fast things pass us by; we can be immersed

in something in one moment, and in the next moment it could something totally different.

Trends come and go in the blink of an eye, and when we look at the history of this planet,

human life is just a tiny, little hiccup, in this cosmic evolution.

The fact that everything is in flux could be a source of anxiety, because nothing is

stable, and eventually we will be separated from our possessions and loved ones.

But it can be a source of calm as well.

The realization that everything is temporary, means that there’s no point in clinging

to good times and being strongly aversed to bad times.

Happiness is a relative thing.

Even in prison, there are good and bad days.

And even millionaires experience joy and suffering.

This means that our inner world, thus, the way we perceive our life situation and how

we react to that, is also in flux.

Moreover, we can influence how we react to change.

So: why should destiny concern us so much?

As Marcus Aurelius wrote:

The infinity of past and future gapes before us—a chasm whose depths we cannot see.

So it would take an idiot to feel self-importance or distress.

Or any indignation, either.

As if the things that irritate us lasted.

Thank you for watching.