In this article we will focus our attention on Marcus Aurelius’ morning meditation on others. This meditation will help you to start your day with an open mind.
Not long after we open our eyes and start our day we will likely meet with other people. It is possible that you will face unpleasant situations and ill-willed people. There are numerous, unexpected events we can encounter right away that can end up ruining our entire day.
We need to remember that every moment is precious and that our days are ultimately limited. Stoics believe it is not wise to waste your time and energy on unnecessary things and rude people. There is a way to maintain your inner-peace and mindfulness while facing unfortunate events. This is why meditating on others can help. The Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius can guide us to a new way of thinking that can help us view all those bad moments in a different light.
Marcus Aurelius and Morning Meditations
Marcus Aurelius’ book Meditations is one of the most important and famous Stoic works. It is a philosophical handbook that the Emperor used to record his own thoughts and observations on the nature of perception, the soul, the universe, and other things. Today, this handbook guides thousands of us and provides advice on how to lead a happy and good life. We will focus specifically on Marcus Aurelius’ writings on morning meditations and how to maintain a positive attitude in negative moments.
“When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous and surly. They are like this because they can’t tell good from evil. But I have seen the beauty of good, and the ugliness of evil, and have recognized that the wrongdoer has a nature related to my own – not of the same blood and birth, but the same mind, and possessing a share of the divine. And so none of them can hurt me. No one can implicate me in ugliness. Nor can I feel angry at my relative, or hate him. We were born to work together like feet, hands and eyes, like the two rows of teeth, upper and lower. To obstruct each other is unnatural. To feel anger at someone, to turn your back on him: these are unnatural.”
Marcus Aurelius
This quote may be long, but it is quite memorable. It vividly shows us how Marcus Aurelius anticipated the day and prepared himself to face the outside world before encountering it. We can see the evident practice of Stoic calmness and rational thinking as the Emperor prepared to immerse himself in the world.
Our modern world isn’t much different from the one Marcus Aurelius saw. We know we will face people who are ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest and ill-willed too. The Emperor was prepared because he understood the nature of man. Therefore, he couldn’t be surprised or harmed by events and people. Even though he was the most powerful man in Rome at the time, he knew he couldn’t control the outside world; he could merely use his knowledge and anticipation to expect it. The Stoic approach is truly unique because it is based on rationality,
The second phase that follows from knowledge and anticipation is recognition of others. Marcus Aurelius said that others are the same as him in terms of their essence. All humans are connected with our minds and it is in our nature to work together – anything less would be unnatural.
After Marcus Aurelius’ recognition of others follows the conclusion that no one can hurt him. That is, only he can let others hurt him if he allows them to enter his mind. We can control our mind and will, but external events and people are beyond our reach. If you improve the wellbeing of our minds then you will never be hurt.
Morning Meditation Exercise
Just as you do physical exercises to improve your health and the strength of your body, this type of mental exercise can strengthen your mind and help you to feel better, both mentally and physically. Consider the following meditation and apply it to your life. Of course, you may adjust certain details to suit your own experience and needs.
First, imagine some possible negative encounters you may face today or tomorrow. Second, try to understand that all the people you face have their own troubles and unique outlooks on the nature of positive and negative actions. Good and evil are always dependent on your mind and character; however, the only true good is our ability to lead our lives according to reason and virtue.
Next, take an objective view on the world and consider that all our struggles and conflicts are meaningless. This should give you strength to focus your energy on the given moment and to discard unnecessary dilemmas. Lastly, realise that we are all connected and it is only natural for us to work together to make this world a better place. Now, practice this exercise in your real life when you face unsavory characters and unexpected events early in your day. You might be surprised at how much this can improve your outlook on the rest of your day.
