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[Shameless plug] You can read Marcus Aurelius "Meditations" at http://directingmind.com http://directingmind.com
by s_kilk 10y ago
[Shameless plug] You can read Marcus Aurelius "Meditations" at http://directingmind.com http://directingmind.com
- maxymoos 10y agoFinally read them a few months ago. A fantastic read.
- dominotw 10y agoWhat precisely did you like about it ?
- criddell 10y agoWhose translation is that?
- adrianveidt 10y agohttp://directingmind.com/about http://directingmind.com/about
- dominotw 10y agoCan you say couple of lines why someone should read this ?
- trgn 10y agoI'll take a stab. It is a very accessible work, still today. The writing is clear and simple. It's always been a popular work across the centuries, but the form seems to work well for contemporary audiences. You can engage with at different levels, it doesn't require a deep commitment. You can read a few passages before bed time, leave it for years and pick it up again, leaf through it and skip back&forth. As you grow older, the depth of the work reveals itself. Specifically, given the easy to digest form, Meditations is somewhat of a board room coffee table book, like Machiavelli or Sun Tzu. There is a lot in there about what it takes to be a good leader. It is a primary work. As a reader, you will take a trip back in time, when people were, for lack of better word, different. The deep religiosity on display can come across as somewhat alien, especially since it is one that focuses on the importance of the observance of rites rather than on establishing a personal spiritual connection. It is very un-american, un-christian, and that journey is valuable in itself. The breadth is wide. Stoicism is easily dismissed as being somewhat of a dour, pessimistic philosophy. There is undoubtedly a melancholy undercurrent in Meditations, but it is also full with love, joy, kindness, happiness. The opening sets the tone. A thoughtful thank you note to all the people who Marcus feels affectionate to. Near the end, after being reminded a great deal about your mortality, those bright colors will have lost their luster somewhat, but Meditationes leaves you with more confidence in humanity and love towards your fellow man than with less. Marcus Aurelius was by all accounts an admirable man and an important historical figure. There is somewhat of a voyeuristic kick you get by reading something he never intended to publish. Especially when writing about his wife, his insecurities, his unpleasant views on sex, all are more personal passages than philosophical. It's been 2000 years, I'm sure we're forgiven.
- mmmBacon 10y agoI have this book on my desk at work. I have several pre-marked pages that I use to help me deal with frustration and anger at work. I find it to be a very practical implementation of stoicism that is relatable even today.
- kwhitefoot 10y agoIs there a way to convert this to epub? It would be a lot easier to read on my phone then.
- qznc 10y agoThere is a markdown version [0]. That is easy to convert. For example, use pandoc. [0] http://directingmind.com/meditations.md http://directingmind.com/meditations.md
- s_kilk 10y agoYup, probably the best way. Next weekend I might compile an ePub and add it to the site though
- kwhitefoot 10y agoThank you.