Meditations by Marcus Aurelius | Book Discourse

[@hpebackwards]

The second you can look into the sky and see your own reflection, you know you're headed in the right direction.

[@Concatenate]

First of all, this video should be required viewing. What an excellent look at some of the thoughts Marcus had. One thing I absolutely love is from Gregory Hays translation where he writes an intro to the Meditations. In that intro he says, paraphrased, that we have impressions and perceptions. Impressions are things that objectively happen. My house burned down, my senses have conveyed to me that my house was on fire and it is now gone because it burned down. A perception is a subjective look at an impression. Like, I've suffered horribly because my house burned down. It is not the only possible perception, and here's the kicker to all of it, you are not obliged to accept such a perception. It's difficult to see a positive about your house burning down, but you CAN. The obstacle on the path becomes the way.

[@bewitched9408]

I wish for our political leaders to possess the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius. I’m turning to Meditations as a guide to make sense of the time we’re in and also to make sense and develop into a better person. Great video!

[@theblackponderer]

@@bewitched9408 The political climate was just as absurd in Aurelius' time as it is today. Perhaps there is some solace to be had in that.

[@wesleygovender6579]

Meditation is connecting the thinking mind with its source, in pure awareness.

[@jamiewalker3505]

This is one of my favourite philosophy books.

[@danielthehuman4662]

Great video I hope you keep shining brother

[@MelquiadesDeMacondo]

Good video but I think you should have included an excerpt about his beliefs on the soul. It’s one of the prettiest things in the book how whatever is going on around you, what your body suffers, the urges you have, there’s always that divine and impenetrable part inside you. That nothing can control or affect but yourself. You can always choose to keep it clean and upright. And that every human on Earth shares this common piece of divinity and rationality. Also there are so many other poetic concepts that he writes about, but would require a hours long video. Love your work man! You’re one of my favorite youtubers!

[@JewyJew]

I love your videos you have a great way of breaking down the ideas of the text your talking about. And you have a great personality which is a plus! Also please do more stoic text.

[@Concatenate]

Epictetus was also a power house Stoic teacher. He used humor to deal with a lot of adversity. If someone were to call him a fatso, he would probably respond, "you should hear about all of my other flaws." Like you say in the video, deflecting back and in such a way that is not harmful.

[@freydisandchris2010]

Good, helpful content. Thank you.

[@adambaxter664]

invaluable book. thanks a lot for sharing!

[@riodany1]

Keep up the good work man, nice to see a black brother talking about philosophy (often we don't feel its our place).

[@riodany1]

+Jason Weaver yeah i agree, the sad thing is not everybody see's it like this, its a damn shame

[@riodany1]

+Jason Weaver ps nobodies accused you of anything, talk about what you wish bro.

[@riodany1]

+Jason Weaver indeed indeed, well if it makes you upset you cant help that you have every right to feel what you feel. The issue is representation - seldom do we hear about black philosophers and so the black diaspora feels thats a field that 'we don't really do', same thing used to happen with history. In general however theres a constant associating of whiteness with intelligence and reason and logic etc. Through media, film, books, history, education and society in general - though these narratives are slowly changing. Rather than complain though we just gotta solve them as best as we can.

[@riodany1]

+Jason Weaver of course not now, but i was lucky enough to have stumbled across a path of learning that made me love it anyway. However had somebody asked me a couple years back if i could ever see myself doing philosophy... Id laugh, as in the past your constantly bombarded with the phrase 'thats white stuff', and when you look at who is regarded as the best philosophers, scientists, mathematicians, poets, writers etc. The phrase seems objectively true (of course it isn't)

[@riodany1]

+Jason Weaver in response to your other question, people that are interested in philosophy will pursue, the issue is that people are taught to discriminate on what they should be interested in based on race. Thus, they never even get the chance to consider developing a interest. Ive never been discredited from doing philosophy but people always seemed to be shocked that i do philosophy or that i read for that matter for example "oh, you do philosophy?... Really?", whereas if a white person says they do philosophy its more likely to be "how are you finding it" or "how long have you been doing it". Its subtle but its there.

[@hanibal43]

I was waiting on this analysis for so long!!!

[@guanjo15]

hanibal43 i turned everything off at my apartment no lights no sounds, I’m about to enjoy this review!! 😊

[@sleepyreader666]

I like the idea of different ways to meditate. another great video.

[@johndonwood4305]

All of Rome looked to him to lead and he only had himself to lean on.

[@joshuapaulmapue238]

hi, do you have a book discussion on Blaise Pascal's Pensees?

[@theblackponderer]

nope, not yet

[@oogs]

+1 sub

[@hsl537]

And to think this came from the guy who spent years of his life slaying german tribes. He surely redirect them into their natural direction of dying.