Meditation I

Chapter 22

If things happen in accordance with nature, then we have no reason to blame the gods, because the gods have done nothing wrong, whether consciously or unconsciously; in an unconscious situation.So, we should not blame anyone.

Practice more things you can't hope to accomplish
Many things that you have taken a long way to get are actually available right now, as long as you don't deliberately refuse them.This means that you pay little attention to the past and leave the future to God's care.What you have to do now is to conform yourself only to piety and righteousness.Piety requires that you must be satisfied with the part assigned to you by fate, because that is what nature designed for you, and you also conform to it.Justice requires you to always be frank, to tell the truth without any concealment, and to bring everything into agreement with the laws of nature according to its value.Don't let other people's evil deeds get in your way, don't let any negative thoughts or voices get in your way, and don't let your poor carnal feelings get in your way; because, that should be dealt with by the negative part.Therefore, at any moment when death is approaching, you can put aside everything and only respect your ability to control and the divinity in your heart; if you are afraid at this time, it is not because you have to end your life at the next uncertain moment, but because you regret never having begun to live in accordance with nature—then you are worthy of the universe that gave you life, and you are no longer a stranger to your homeland, nor will you Be amazed by what happens every day unexpectedly, and you no longer need to depend on this or that.

God can see through man's flesh, clothes, shell and unclean things, and see man's heart (ruling principle).Because God can use his rational part to contact human beings, and human's rationality was originally obtained from God and flowed into human body.If you do the same, then you can get rid of a lot of troubles.Because no one who cares too much about the poor physical package will not worry about himself, let alone pursue superficial goals such as clothes, shelter, and fame.

You are made of three things: your tiny body, your tiny breath (life), and your mind.For the first two things, the reason why it belongs to you is entirely because you have an obligation to take care of it; while it is the third thing that really belongs to you.So if you try to separate yourself, you actually separate your sanity from yourself, and, regardless of what other people say or do, or yourself, no matter what the future No matter what troubles happen, no matter what in your body or breath (life) violates your natural nature to entangle you, no matter how the vortex around the outside, in order to let your mind get rid of the fate of fate Bondage, and freedom to move, do more righteous deeds, and accept what has happened and speak the truth.I say that if you exercise this power of dominion, completely free from things derived from sense impressions, free from past and future, you will be like Empedocles' sphere: "perfectly round, joyful and secure .”

If you try to live your true life, which is your own life in the present moment - then you can live the rest of your life free from distractions, honorable, and in obedience to your God (meaning the God in your heart).

I often find it incredible that everyone loves themselves more than anyone else, but feels that other people's opinions are more important than their own.Well, if a god or wise master should order a person not to think and plan things that cannot be thought or expressed at will, that person cannot bear it for a day.Therefore, we value the opinions of our neighbors more than our own.

Is this really the case?The gods, who are so benevolent to man, have arranged all things, but have overlooked the fact that many very good people, as we say, are in communion with the gods, and are most connected with them by piety and pious deeds. People close to us, when once they die they never come back, disappear completely?
But if it does, the gods do change them into something else.Because it is possible if it is reasonable, and nature will do it if it comes from nature.But since it is not so, and it is not so, then be sure that it should not be so: you see yourself quarreling with the gods in this investigation; we should not thus quarrel with the gods, unless the gods are so eminent and just; But if so, then they cannot allow the things arranged by the cosmic order to be unjustly and unreasonably neglected.

Even if something is hopeless, you need to practice more.For, even if the left hand is useless for want of practice in other things, it is certainly stronger than the right hand in holding the reins; and this is the reason for much practice.

Think about it: when one faces death, what kind of physical and mental state one will be in; think again: how short life is, the abyss of time in the past and the future, and the fragility of all matter.

To peel off the veil on the surface, look at the principle (form) of how things are formed; the purpose of actions; How can you not be influenced by others, everything in the world depends on your own opinion.

In applying your principles, you should be like a boxer, not a gladiator.For a gladiator is killed when he strikes his sword, and a boxer needs no other tools than his hands.

Investigate things themselves and divide them into inner essence, outer form and purpose.

A capable person will only do things that will be appreciated by the gods, and will accept all the arrangements given to him by the gods.

If things happen in accordance with nature, then we have no reason to blame the gods, because the gods have done nothing wrong, whether consciously or unconsciously; in an unconscious situation.So, we should not blame anyone.

How absurd are people who are amazed by the things that happen in their lives!

Either there is an inevitability and an unchangeable cosmic order that has long been doomed in the dark, or there is a kind of divine will that favors mankind, or there is a kind of chaos without purpose and direction.So why should you resist if this inevitability is immutable?But if there is a god who promises to appease you, you have to make yourself worthy of divinity too.However, if there is a kind of chaos with no order at all, then please be thankful that you still have the dominant reason.If the storm takes you, let it take your poor flesh and your little breath, because, at least it won't take your sanity.

The light from the lamp will not disappear until it is extinguished; and will the truth, justice, and temperance in your heart disappear before you die?

How can I be sure that a person does something that seems evil?Even if he did do something wrong, how do I know he didn't blame himself for it?It was like tearing his face off.Trying to keep bad people from doing bad things is like not allowing a fig tree to bear fruit, a baby to cry, a horse to roar, or what must happen.What can a man of such virtue do?So, if you are impatient, correct this personality.

If it's not true, don't do it; if it's not true, don't say it.Let's try so hard--

See what it is that, in everything, gives you an outward appearance.And, from it, you separate form, substance, and purpose, and how long it lasts.

You will at last perceive that there is something better and holier within you, superior to those things which seem to cause effects, which seem to pull you by invisible threads.So what is on your mind right now?Is it fear, doubt, desire, or something like that?

First of all, you should think twice before acting in everything, and don't aimlessly.Second, make your actions solely aimed at the public good.

Life's drama is complete in three acts
Think about it, not so long ago, you had no body, there was nothing, and the people and things you see now did not exist.For, under the sway of nature, all things undergo change, turn, and pass away, appearing continually in succession for other things.

Think that everything is your thoughts, and that thoughts are beyond your ability to control.So, when you make up your mind, clear those thoughts away, as a voyager who rounds a headland must sail into a calm bay.

If any individual activity ceases at the proper time, it cannot be said to be misfortune, because it has come to a standstill; and the person who performed it does not suffer misfortune, because the activity itself has ceased.In the same way, if the whole of these actions, that is, the whole of our life, stops at the right time, it is not suffering, because it has stopped.A person who has been abused, if the unfortunate experience is ended at the right time, then he no longer has any pain.Moreover, the nature of nature will determine the proper time and end, and things that end in old age are sometimes determined by the unique nature of people, but the reason why the entire universe can maintain youth and perfection through the changes of other things is entirely determined by the nature of the universe.Everything that is useful to the universe is not only always good but always timely, and even when life ends it is not evil for everyone.For this is by no means a disgrace, since it is independent of the will, and is not opposed to the general interest; and it is a good thing, because it is entirely timely and beneficial to the universe, and has consistent relationship.For in him moves in the same manner and with the same purpose as the Divine.

There are three principles you have to be ready for.[-]st, In your doing, be neither hasty nor unrighteous; regard what happens to you either as an accident, or as the will of God, which you cannot condemn This accident or providence.Second, think about what every existing thing is like during the period from seed to receiving soul; and what it is like during the period from receiving soul to returning soul; Every existence is composed of something, and will eventually be broken down into something.Third, if you are suddenly lifted up into the sky and let you look down on the world, then you will see how different human beings are, and at the same time, if you look more at the air and the sky around you, you will know how much more there is. There are things that exist; you can often think in this way of "elevating" and you will see the same things, the same forms, and the transience of life.Are these things something you can be proud of?

Put aside your prejudices and you will be saved.Who's going to stop you from throwing it away?

When you are still troubled by something, then you must have forgotten this: everything happens according to the nature of the universe; you also forget: the evil deeds of others have nothing to do with you; , it has been so, it will be so in the future, and it is happening in other places now; you also forget: how closely interconnected there is between a person and the entire human race, this is a common attribute, not a little blood or Seed, but sanity.You have also forgotten: everyone's reason is a god, which comes from divinity; you have forgotten: nothing belongs to man, his children, body and even soul, etc., are all given by God; you have also forgotten : Everything is a certain opinion; in the end you forget: everyone can only live in the present, and all they can lose is the present.

You have to go over and over: where are the disgruntled people, the ones who have had great fame or misfortune, hatred, wealth, whatever, where are they now?It has long been turned into dust and legends, and some even have no legends left.You should also keep in your mind everything of this kind: Fabius who lived in the country house?How is Catelliluce doing now?Lucius in his garden?Rubos, Stetinius at Baia, Tiberius and Verius at Capari?Rufus (or Rufus in Vilia), so what now.It is better to meditate on this: the passionate pursuit of things that people are proud of is worthless when they are pursued hard!And how philosophic it is for a man to have an opportunity of frankly displaying his rectitude, temperance, and devotion to the gods!It is most embarrassing to be proud of the least proud thing.

Someone asked me: Where have you seen God?How do you know they must exist?Why do we worship God so much?My answer is: first, we can even see the existence of God31; second, although I have not seen my own soul, I still have great respect for it.As for gods, I comprehend their existence from constant experience, feel their power, and worship them.

The fullness of life lies in: to examine everything in its entirety, itself, matter, and external form; it is better to do righteous deeds wholeheartedly and sing the praises of truth.We should do one good thing, and then do it again, so that there is no gap in between, so that we can enjoy the joy of life. Do we have any other pursuits?

There is a ray of sunlight, although it is blocked by walls, mountains, and countless other things.There is also a common entity, though scattered among countless individuals with individual identities.There is one soul, although scattered among countless creatures and each with its own boundaries.There is a sane soul, though it seems to be cut apart.Among the above-mentioned things, substances such as the atmosphere cannot be perceived or possessed of emotions, but reason can combine these parts and make them attract each other.The intellect, on the other hand, approaches and unites with like things in a unique way, and this common feeling cannot be blocked.

What is your desire - to continue to exist?Well, would you like to go on feeling, moving, growing, and then stop growing, talking, brooding?For you, what is it about these things that you aspire to?But if you want to devalue these things, it is very easy to turn to other options, namely, to obey reason and gods.But valuing the above things is inconsistent with honoring reason and the gods, because death takes away everything else from a person.

For the endless and unfathomable time, what a small part of it is allocated to everyone, and it seems to be swallowed up by eternity in an instant!How insignificant is that which is assigned to each individual in relation to the whole cosmic entity; and what a small part of the universal soul is the assigned soul!Where you are, what a small piece of soil in the whole earth!There is nothing greater than reflecting on all this, acting according to your nature, and embracing what your common nature brings you.

How does the dominant ability use itself?This is the key to everything.Everything else, whether within your power or not, is lifeless dust and smoke.

This kind of thinking makes us most able to despise death. People who think that happiness is good and pain is evil also hold an attitude of contempt for death.

To a man only that which appears at the most opportune time is good, and it does not matter whether he acts more or less justly and rationally. Time does not make much difference, because death is not a terrible thing for this person.

Everyone is a citizen of this great country or even the whole world, five or three years, what difference does it make to you?What is in accordance with the laws of nature is just in all respects.No tyrant or unjust judge will drive you out, and what can you be sorry for but nature that sent you in?This principle is like a consul dismissing an actor from the stage. -- "But I haven't done five acts yet, I've only done three." -- You're right, but in the drama of life three acts are complete.For whether a play is complete or not depends on the person who puts it on, and it is the same person who stops it, but you are nothing.Exit satisfied, the person who fired you is satisfied with your performance.

(End of this chapter)