Marcus Aurelius and self-understanding

This week we remember Marcus Aurelius, born on 20 April and died on 26 April at the age of 59.

Marcus Aurelius is the one who best represents the philosophy of action. He championed a habit of reflection that is not an end in itself but is devoted to Eudaimonia, that is, effective and virtuous action that gives a sense of satisfaction to the person who carries it out.

His "Meditations" are the foundation of Stoic philosophy, but I could say that, in their own way, they are also the foundation of Zen and Bushido.

Marcus Aurelius did not write in order to be published and remembered, still less to teach anything to others. His reflections were a daily meditative practice.

Through self-observation that was unindulgent and free of excuses, Marcus Aurelius put into practice the inner alchemical process of self-realisation. Only those who are able, with courage, to look inside themselves have the chance to free themselves from the mechanical processes of the biological machine and so become truly free.

m.m.