DEACON 11: Marcus Aurelius, Destiny, Gratitude, and Acceptance…

DEACON 11
The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius
Imperator Romanus

Today I thought his words would be incredibly interesting and important. After all, quoting the words of a Roman Emperor is something extraordinary. As extraordinary as was the man, Marcus Aurelius.*

The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius are a guide to life, a guide towards how to think, analyse, accept and eventually change the world around you by changing your perception, expectations and beliefs. And he began in a fitting place, the first thing in the morning: “When you rise in the morning think of the privilege of living, of having life, of breathing, thinking, enjoying and loving.” This is a thought statement that covers it all.

Gratitude should be the first thought upon opening one’s eyes to the new day. A smile should follow to cement the fact that gratitude brings peace, and peace brings happiness. Gratitude for waking up, for being given another day. Gratitude joins our spirit to the Great Spirit that rules nature, that has given us life and that has created the Cosmos. So, living is indeed a privilege.

But how can one live a better life every day? There are many ways, but in the Meditations Marcus Aurelius reminds us: “Accept the things to which destiny has tied you to and love the people that destiny has brought to you, but do it with all your heart.”

And a wise advice that it is for acceptance is the only true road towards inner peace and tranquillity. Acceptance is the opposite of tension and distress. Destiny is a force that one cannot oppose and if one is to live in harmony with the will of heaven one must accept destiny placidly and joyfully. Those placed in your life, in your road of life, are the ones that can and will affect you in different manners. Some good, some bad, but they are there because it is your destiny to deal with them. So love them truly and from the heart. If one gives love one is bound to receive love in return, although one might not see it immediately.

Destiny is a part of life, as is breathing, walking, waking and sleeping. But a man is in control of his life when he accepts his destiny, and as Marcus Aurelius meditated: “You have the power to strip away many unnecessary troubles that you are storing in your thoughts and judgements, and to possess a large room for yourself embracing in thought the whole cosmos…”. The whole of the cosmos fits cleanly in the space you have cleaned out and placed for it. Your superfluous thoughts should not occupy such high value real estate within you.

In conclusion: Be grateful, you have been given many gifts, and the principle one is life; accept destiny and love those people who have been given to you; free your mind from useless thoughts and worries, thereby allowing in the wholeness of the universe. What more can a man aspire to?

+++

*Marcus Aurelius Antoninus was born in Rome on the 26th of April of A.D. 121. He is best known as Marcus Aurelius. He was Roman Emperor from the year A.D. 161 until his death in 180. He was the last of the so-called “Five Good Emperors”, and the last emperor of the Pax Romana (A.D. 27-180). Marcus Aurelius is considered one of the representatives of stoicism. He wrote his Meditations while on military campaign from A.D. 170 to 180. This wise man was more of a philosopher than a soldier, although he did excel as one as well. Stoic philosophy centres mostly on restraint, duty and respect for others.