Meditations on "Meditations"

Listening to Marcus Aurelius' thoughts via an audiobook (the classic 1862 translation by Guy Long read by Duncan Steen), it feels as if he's speaking to an audience of students as a teacher. The reader (me) must keep in mind Marcus is, in fact, addressing himself.

That the emperor of Rome during a period of the empire's vast extent and power could have been so thoughtfully intelligent and determined to live a simple and ethically-driven life of duty to all human beings is most remarkable.  I've listened to the first five chapters and am planning to listen to the rest without doing a lot of stopping to contemplate particular passages I resonate with. My good intention is then to go back through more deliberately taking notes, recording passages, and analyzing the text critically as it relates to my own experiences and understanding.

My general reaction is to admire and like Marcus Aurelius and to find myself in sympathy and agreement with much of what he says. I feel encouraged by his words.  In my estimation, his perception and insights into the Universe hold up well after nearly 2000 years. I understand him to strive toward acceptance and harmony with self and world and to view the Universe in a positive light as natural and just, in stark contrast with the predominant Christian view of the world as fallen and corrupt. Marcus doesn't see the Universe as revolving around humanity, much less as revolving around himself. He reminds himself regularly of the transience of each human life and it's lack of great importance in an historical sense. He values awareness and appreciation of the present moment and argues for acceptance and for not judging anything that happens as good or bad on the basis of the pleasure or pain it brings. He believes in being a benevolent participant in ones society and having a useful purpose relative to the polis in every thought and action.  He sees no value in fame or wealth or power beyond their use in being a good man and a good citizen. Marcus has an open mind about what if anything may come after our body "resolves" back into its constituent elements as our lives end.