Marcus Aurelius (MA) never intended to publish his meditations for posterity; instead, he wrote them in the spirit of being a better person. If I were to take any one idea from his example to build resilience in my life, it would be to write my philosophy down, meditate on it, and be mindful of the spirit in which I wrote it to guide my daily choices.

Somehow MA avoided the edict that absolute power corrupts absolutely. This is a lesson less easily translated as few people today have absolute power – though there are examples. For most philosophers, however, this has the corollary that MA could focus his thought on his duties as emperor and leader to his community. This is a practical takeaway for the best relationship of individual well-being and the larger community's interest, stay within your role.

But how do we figure out our role? When is change best, and when do we hold the line? This question, like resilience, was one that MA answered in his meditations.

I look forward to insight from Rachana on these questions and more modern takeaways from the world's first stoic self-help manual. Reinhold Niebuhr's Serenity Prayer sums much of the stoic thought passed down to our current thinking.

"Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."- Reinhold Neibuhr.

The tricky part is, not being a Roman emperor, what exactly is possible when changing. Though it would be cool to be emperor of all things (Czar?), our modern standard of living far exceeds that of any Roman emperor. Much of that standard is derivative of technology and privilege that can't be controlled or undone without more courage and hardship than I have been willing to bear so far in my life. Marcus Aurelius never had to face that dilemma. So I can't take his exact path as an example for my own. However, this much I can handle; to live below my means for personal satisfaction, meditate upon my life, and make the most of my opportunities to make those thoughts a reality.

Presumably, Ms. Kamtekar knows something of Marcus, in so far as she has written of Plato. And is occupied with philosophy. I suppose many of us are stoics at heart. We pretty much have to be so, in order to weather these tumultuous times. As a pragmatist (at heart), my stance follows the old AA credo. You may know it: changing what one can;leaving the rest alone and knowing the difference. As a practical matter, this old duck's back has been wet before, and, sooner or later, any additional water runs off. Stoicism is really akin to other disciplines, many older, and most aimed at knowing inner peace; keeping one's blood pressure manageable and avoiding avoidable violence. (PT has, admirably, addressed non-violence among many topics.)

Stoicism is not very fashionable in our fast-paced, extreme-laden world. We just can't make time for it
But, for some of us, it is still food for reflection. Or, a fading mirror...

See Smith's comments above- re: the serenity prayer. I missed it on first reading. Sorry, Tim.

I like #28a. "Neither play king nor prostitute."

I suspect Marcus Aurelius would have a hard time actively participating at all in our present culture. I think he'd probably choose instead to become a wanderer. I can almost envision him donning a backpack, tucking a good book or two inside (Camus? Alan Watts? William Blake?), and then riding the rails. Let's just hope the Bulls don't rough him up when they catch him...They can be really mean, and most people don't recognize Father Zeus when comes to us dressed in hobo drag...

Did Marcus Aurelius actually live his life in any way at all according to Stoic principles? I mean, he engaged in brutal wars trying to maintain or expand the Roman Empire as far as possible, right? He inflicted enormous misery on many people including slaves. And as a dictator, he probably was constantly annoyed and infuriated by his own bureaucrats, the masses, everyone else. He might have been a wannabe Stoic but was probably a miserable Stoic in his actual behavior.
Greg Slater
ps - does any at philtalk actually read these comments?

...And this leads me to the question: can anyone who actually strives to accomplish anything at all in the real world actually live like a Stoic? I mean, fine for some contemplative philosopher to talk about it, because he's not interacting with the world, has no ambition, accomplishes nothing. But a human actually trying to accomplish something in the real world, interacting with others who he cannot control except by force, I don't think can ever live by Stoic principles. He (or she, they, whatever) can only 'aspire to Stocism', but never in any real way live by it. Meanwhile, they live the horrific, stressful, frustrating, infuriating, angst-ridden world like the rest of us....(by the way, that's called the 'Human Condition' - you can't escape from the Human Condition, no matter how much you try. Sorry.) Show me a true (practicing) Stoic, and I'll show you someone who never accomplished a goddamn thing...
Greg Slater

Couple questions for the philosophers:

1. Does actually acting according to Stoic principles actually make you less stressed out? Or more (because it would seem it would rule out ambition of any kind?
2. Name one actually 'practicing' Stoic in the history of the World (who actually thought and acted according to the Stoic principles and mindset)?

3. (most important) - are you guys gonna ever take calls again? If so, when? If not, why not? (by the way, a good Stoic would allow live phone calls from listeners)

Thanks,
Greg Slater

Stoic Paradox - Could Hitler have been a Stoic?
Because it all depends on how you define 'the good', etc, which is left up to each of us to decide.

I could be okay with being eaten by a lion if it wasn't for the pain...

Please compare and contrast Stoicism and Zen Buddhism. Thanks.
Is a Stoic like Zen Buddhist who actually wants to accomplish something in the world?
Thanks,
Greg Slater

How about this for a synopsis: "Only rich people or philosophers can afford to be Stoics. The rest of us have to suffer the horrible stress of the rat race and the human condition, the 'being eaten by the lion' on a daily basis.

This reminds me of the old joke:

"A Stoic, a Zen Buddhist, a member of the Oath Keepers, and a lion walk into a bar. A furious gun battle ensues..."

...but I can't remember the rest of it. Could you remind me how the rest of it goes?
Thanks,
Greg Slater

Just for grins:
...the lion, being unarmed and pacifist, waited until the smoke cleared and had lunch.