Meditation I

Chapter 10

Let yourself accept what you are meant to be: accept those with whom you are destined to live, and love them sincerely.

keep the soul in good shape

All matter in the universe has a gentle and loyal disposition. Reason itself is not the cause of any evil deeds, because it does not have any evil thoughts and resentments. It will not do evil to anything else, and nothing will suffer because of it. harm.Everything in the world is born and perfected according to reason.

It makes no real difference whether you are performing your duties with disinterest or enthusiasm, lethargy or vigor, criticism or praise, whether you are dying or busy with something else, Because these are the activities of life, and our life will perish in this activity.As long as we do well what we are doing in these life activities, then we have nothing to be ashamed of.

Look inside.Don't let you miss the singularity and value of anything.

Everything that exists will change at the next moment, and will either turn into vapor, if all things are one, or vanish without a trace.

The governing reason of the universe is very aware of its own disposition, understands what it does, and what material it works with.

The best way to avenge yourself is not to become like the person who did you evil.

When transitioning from one kind of social behavior to another, we must have a spirit in our hearts, enjoy everything and have peace of mind.

The governing principle is self-motivating and awakening, and is self-responsive.When it realizes who it is and does what it wants, it also makes what happens as it wants.

Everything can be fulfilled when it is in harmony with the nature of the universe.For the perfection and completeness of every thing cannot be attained by conformity with the natures of other things, neither the outer natures of which it is composed, nor the inner natures contained in them, or independent of both.

The universe is either a disorderly chaos, that is, the things in it present an intertwined and scattered scene, or a harmonious whole, which is not only orderly but also arranged by God's will in the dark.If the universe is the former, then why am I still waiting in this random coincidence and in such a state of disorder?Why do I care so much about how I turn into a handful of dirt when I die and not about anything else?Why am I so upset?Just because no matter what I do now, my physical body will eventually dissipate?However, if the universe is the latter, then I respect and firmly believe in the master who is in charge of everything.

When you are unable to obtain inner peace in a certain sense due to the force of the environment, please turn your thoughts to your soul as soon as possible. Once the compulsive factors disappear, you should immediately return to the right path.Because only by constantly trying to restore inner peace can you learn how to manage the harmonious overall situation.

If you have both a biological mother and a stepmother, you should also be filial to the stepmother, but at the same time, you should not forget your biological mother.Think of Court and Philosophy as your stepmother and mother: often return to Philosophy, and rest in her arms, so that what you suffer at Court becomes bearable, and in the end you will be tolerated by Court .

When the meat is set before us, some thoughts should flash through our minds: This is only the carcass of a fish, or a bird, or a pig; The purple robe is no more than woven wool, soaked in the blood of shellfish—these are our impressions, pointing directly at things and penetrating into them, only then can we see the nature of things.We should behave in this way in our lives. For those things that seem most worthy of praise and admiration, we should take off their aura of praise and show them what they are, and see that they are just worthless things. Nature.Because the appearance is just a wonderful refraction of reason, when you are very sure that what you are doing is something that you feel you can work hard for, then you may have been blinded by it at this time.Consider what Crates said about Senocrates and you will see what's going on.

Most of the things that the common man admires are of the most common kind, held together by inner cohesion or natural organization, such as stones, trees, figs, vines, and olive trees.But things that are held together by the laws of life are admired by any reasonable man, and such things include herds and the like.And what the more educated people envy is things that are united by a rational soul. The rational soul mentioned here is not an ordinary soul, but a soul that is more familiar with certain skills, or is very proficient in certain methods, Or simply because it has many servants to serve it.But the man who values ​​the rational soul, that is, the soul which is universal and sufficient for political life, admires this: first of all, that he keeps the soul in good condition, i.e., in harmony with the rational and social life. Conditions and behaviors are consistent, and then he will cooperate with like-minded people to achieve this goal.

Some things come hastily, and others fly away; and even those things that have just come, some of them are already destroyed.Movement and change are constantly renewing the world, just as the continuous process of time is constantly renewing the years.There is nothing permanent in this ever-flowing river, and who would think highly of the passing passerby?Who, for example, would love a sparrow flying past?The love is moving, and the bird has disappeared.Everyone's life is similar to it, except that it is replaced by blood oozing and breathing air.As we do in every moment, the air that is inhaled is finally exhaled, and what you get at birth will return to nature after death.

The transpiration of plants, the respiration of livestock or wild animals, the influence of the surface impressions of things, puppets at the whim of desire, the herds of Zhatui, and the nourishment of food, etc., are not things worthy of our great attention, because these The act is no different from our act of cutting off the useless parts of our food and throwing it away.So what is it worth our attention?Is it something that gets everyone clapping their hands?No, we must not care about the superficial praise on the tongue, because most people's compliments are just superficial.And if you give up those penniless so-called honors, what else is worth your attention?My point is, restrain yourself and limit yourself to the composition that suits you, as with all jobs and skills.

The aim of every skill is that the created thing should be compatible with the work that made it; the vine grower tends the vines, the horse trainer, the dog trainer, etc., all pursue this aim.However, the training and teaching of young people has another purpose.Here lies the value of nurturing and teaching activities.If this goal is right for you, then you don't need to look for another goal.Do you still pay attention to many other things?Then you will not be free, you will not be able to achieve your own happiness, be troubled by desire.Because you will surely be jealous and suspicious of those who can get these things, and you will plot against those who have what is valued by you.A man who wants to have all of these things in his pocket is bound to be in inner turmoil.In addition, he must have often complained about the gods.But only respecting your own soul will satisfy you, and you will live in harmony with society, and at the same time be completely in harmony with God, and praise God for you and for you.

Whether it's above your head or beneath your feet, everything is just the movement of the elements.But that is not how virtue works: it is more divine, and it goes on merrily in an almost imperceptible way.

How queer is the behavior of people.They do not wish to praise those who were their contemporaries and lived with them; but they expect the praise of posterity whom they have never seen and did not wish to see, and whose This compliment is taken seriously.It's as sad as you should be because someone who lived before you didn't praise you.

Do not have the idea that no one else can do what you cannot do yourself, but if it is possible to someone and is in perfect harmony with your nature, then you can also think that you can Get this thing done.

If at a sporting event someone cuts you with a fingernail, hits your head and causes injury, we don't embarrass him, we don't feel uncomfortable, and we don't feel like he's going to hurt us in the future; but we You can take precautions against him, but you don't regard him as an enemy, and you don't have suspicions, as long as you keep him at a respectful distance.In everything else in life, you have to allow yourself to be treated with this behavior.Things like voluntary injury in sports, we might as well just ignore it.Because as I said, these things are completely within our ability to control, as long as we handle them properly, there will be no unwarranted suspicion and hatred.

If anyone can convince me and prove that what I think or do is wrong, I will be happy to correct it; for I am after the truth, and the truth does not hurt.But if people cling to their mistakes and ignorance, they will end up getting hurt.

I do my job and other things don't bother me.For these things are either inanimate, or irrational, or even aimless and misguided.

To irrational animals, and to all sorts of other things and things, as rational you, treat these irrational with generosity and liberty.However, for rational human beings, a social attitude should be used to properly handle it.No matter what the occasion, you can pray to the gods. Don't think that there is a time limit on this matter. Even if it only takes three hours, it is enough.

There is no difference between the death of Alexander of Macedon and the death of his groom.Because they are all bound by the fundamental principles of the universe and likewise disintegrate into atoms after death.

Consider how many things are happening to each of us at the same time, even for a fleeting moment, in our bodies and in our souls.If you figure this out, it shouldn't surprise you that there are many more things, or even all things, that exist simultaneously in this world we call the universe.

If someone asks you the question: How do you spell the name "Antoninus"?Will you read every letter to him?If they get angry, do you lose your temper too?Will you continue to remain calm and read the rest of the alphabet?If you can, then please remember throughout your life that every responsibility is made up of certain parts.It is your responsibility to keep your peace of mind while looking at things and not to be disturbed by those who are angry with you.Go on your own way, and complete the task before you.

You are a tyrant if you do not let men pursue what is in their nature and will do them good!But if it's making you feel uncomfortable because they made a mistake, what do you have to do to stop them from doing it again.Because they think that those things are in their nature and can bring good, they will be completely led by the nose.but it is not the truth.Then go teach them, and explain to them the truth in a calm manner.

Death can end the impressions of the senses, undo the strings that drive our desires, and stop our bewildered thoughts and bodily functions.

accept what is meant to be

It would be a great shame if your soul ceased to exist when your body did not die.

Take care, don't make yourself Caesar, don't imbue yourself with Caesar's character, although such things can happen.Then, keep your simple, kind, pure, and serious character, be not hypocritical, be fair to your friends, worship the gods, be kind and kind, and be able to work hard when you are working hard for the right things.Try to continue to be what philosophy wants you to be.Worship the gods and save all living beings.Life is short, and this worldly life can only produce one positive result—pious disposition and social behavior.Make Anthony your role model in everything you do.

(End of this chapter)