What allowed Marco Aurélio to face wars, pandemics, economic crises, the death of eight of his thirteen children and still be remembered as one of the greatest leaders of his time? Throughout history he has been seen as a true mentor, influencing great personalities, leaders and thinkers. For nineteen years, Marcus Aurélio wrote a series of thoughts, which gave rise to “Meditations”.
Meditations is not a scientific book explaining how the world works, rather it is a practical manual of mental techniques and tools for a more peaceful and fulfilling life. It was the notebook of a man who carried the weight of the Roman Empire on his shoulders as he fought to be good. The fact that he wrote this specifically for himself, without intending anyone to see it, is what really shows the sincerity and authenticity of his thoughts, how brilliant and humble and deeply human he was.
If you want to understand and use this knowledge to improve your life, this video is for you. I have gathered twenty two principles of Meditations in summary to guide, inspire and sustain us in pursuit of a full and meaningful life. Therefore, it is very important to leave a like, subscribe to the channel and activate notifications, in addition to not missing any new videos, you help us spread this knowledge to more people.
Now, let's go with the principles. One. Your mind is stronger.
Your mind must be stronger than your body and your emotions. Understand that you have a body and a mind, but it is the mind, with its ability to think and reason, that makes you unique. Using this ability well means making the most of what nature has offered you.
Deep down, you know what you should do, but sometimes you don't do it because you let your body boss you around. When you decide to do something, like waking up half an hour earlier and end up not doing it because you're tired, lazy or lacked energy, you allow it to control you. In these moments, start to ask yourself, "Am I going to allow this to overwhelm me?
" Giving in means letting your body or emotions rule your mind, which inevitably leads to sadness and regret. This happens because you are not letting your mind fulfill its potential. The secret is to control your mind.
By mastering your mind, you begin to do good. And doing good is the path to true happiness. When you start using reason and logic, your life will change completely, almost like overnight .
In just a few days, you'll feel so good and strong that it's as if you've experienced years of change. This happens when you return to your basic principles and value reason. Strengthen your mind so that it rules over your body and emotions.
By thinking this way, you can change your life for the better. Two. Have self-respect.
Value self-respect in every decision you make. Always ask yourself, "Am I acting in a way that I will be proud of in the future? Am I being true to what I believe?
Be careful not to say or do something that does not reflect what you truly believe. Never consider something good if it means breaking a promise, lose your self-respect or hate someone. When you feel angry, remember that true strength is not in giving in to emotions, but in the ability to remain kind and cordial.
True strength, bravery and courage belong to those who maintain calm and self-control, not those who allow themselves to be carried away by passion and dissatisfaction. Do not become a tyrant or submit to the will of others on a whim. Three.
Do what needs to be done. Being firm and independent in life means fulfilling your obligations without depend on others, facing your challenges head on. Wherever life or your responsibilities place you, that's where you must stand firm and face any difficulty without fear of failure.
The most important thing is to ask yourself if your actions are correct, rather than worrying about the risks involved. You are mistaken if you think that someone worthy of respect places more importance on your fears than on doing what is right. Focus on acting correctly, evaluating whether your actions are those of a good person or not.
Four. When you encounter cruelty. When you encounter rudeness, hostility or negative criticism, see it as an opportunity to grow and evolve.
If the criticism is fair, it's a chance to learn and improve, so accept it with an open heart, without feeling diminished or inferior. But if the criticism is unfair, remember that we all make mistakes. There is no need to take it personally or hold grudges.
Start remembering your own mistakes and look at those who criticize you with compassion. Likewise, if you need to correct someone, do so with respect and humility, aiming to help, not with the intention of hurting or putting yourself above the other. Speak directly to the person and if that doesn't work, reflect on the virtues that we can use against the flaws.
Kindness, for example, is an excellent antidote to evil. Acting with kindness in the face of negative actions, many are left without knowing how to react. And, even those who are not ashamed and continue to act rudely, do not let their behavior define their moral value, regardless of the actions of others, your mission is to always be kind.
If you trusted someone who didn't deserve it, see this as a learning experience, and understand that it was your mistake of being naive. Believe in goodness, but accept the reality that there are people with bad intentions. This prepares us for life.
And understand that evil done by others only affects your inner peace and harms your soul if you do evil in return. It's your job to be good and not let their bad change who you are. The best revenge is not to be like your enemy.
Five. It all depends on how you interpret it. Marcus Aurélio teaches us something powerful: it all depends on how you interpret what happens in your life.
He tells us that, although not an absolute truth, this idea serves as an incredible tool for everyday life. Basically, what affects us is how we decide to view situations, not the situations themselves . This means we have the choice of how to react to everything that happens.
For example, if it starts to rain, we may get irritated by the weather and be bothered by the rain when we leave work, because we will be in traffic, the subway will be slower or we may be grateful for the fact that we are alive and able to work. and feel the rain. The idea is simple: we can clear all impressions and thoughts that are problematic and pessimistic and quickly find peace of mind.
The secret is to control our mind to see the positive side of things. Ultimately, you are what you continually think. So, start observing what thoughts are in your head, what thoughts go through your head when you wake up, what you think about before going to sleep, what occupy your day.
Because they are the ones who will dictate the rhythm of your life. Your soul is dyed by the color of your thoughts. Six.
Don't isolate yourself from the world. We were made to live together and help each other. Don't let anger or discouragement, or even the bitter opinions of some people, stop you from doing good things in the world.
We should all feel good about helping because it's the right thing to do. Try to understand and like people, even if they make mistakes. This makes it easier as we remember that we all make mistakes and no one will live forever.
In the end, we are all on the same journey together, and regardless of their actions, they have no power to hurt us if we don't accept it. A useful mental strategy is to focus on the positive qualities of the people around you. We all have talents and skills, it could be someone's energy, simplicity or generosity .
This will help you see others in a more positive light and feel more inspired. Seven. Avoid Complaining.
Whatever the situation, try not to complain. Face the work in front of you and do it without complaining. If it's something you can't do alone, ask for help without feeling embarrassed.
But do it without complaining, not even inside, not even in thought. Eight. Life is short.
Remember that life is short and death is inevitable for everyone, so the time to act is now. It is crucial to decide to pursue justice, honesty, courage, self-control, and rational action above all else. Think about how many times you postponed plans and procrastinated, how many opportunities were missed.
Your life is limited, and time is passing. Stop looking for approval from others and putting things off. Decide today that you will start taking action.
Don't live as if you have all the time in the world. Death is always lurking. Making the choice to live well now can end your internal suffering.
You suffer because you choose to leave it to be good tomorrow instead of today. One way to change this is to think that the part of your life so far is over, and from today onwards, you are living a new life, which must be lived correctly. Think of yourself as if you have already lived your life.
Now, with the time you have left, live right. It is shameful for your soul to give up while your body is still capable. As we age, the chances of achieving great things may decrease, but that doesn't mean we should give up on building our character and doing good.
Even if you don't become the great thinker or scientist you imagined, you can still achieve freedom, humility, serve others, and live according to Stoic principles. Just as we accept physical limitations, we must accept the limitations of our lives. Death will come for everyone, and fear of the future should not stop us from acting courageously today.
With this mindset, we can fully live every moment we have left. Nine. Choose to do what is right.
Focus on doing what is right, even if people disagree. If something isn't right, don't do it. If something isn't true, don't say it.
Don't do anything wrong just because others are doing it, and don't worry about whether they will praise you for it. When you do something good, do it because you want to help, not expecting to receive something in return. The act of doing good is already a reward.
True pleasure is in performing one good deed after another, acting with kindness and virtue, regardless of whether people thank you or acknowledge you. Don't let someone's bad behavior divert you from your path. Be happy with any progress, however small, and feel good just trying to help.
If your goal is to act correctly, you will be on the right path, even if obstacles appear. Don't base your happiness on what others think or do, but on your own attitudes. If you are leading, be ready for criticism, but keep doing good without expecting applause.
The important thing is to remain faithful to what is right, without seeking approval. Don't let other people's opinions stop you from doing what is right. Ten.
Act with direction. Always be alert and practice intentional actions. We often live automatically, doing things without really thinking about them.
Avoid actions without purpose or that are not aligned with solid principles. Don't let yourself be carried away without direction. Make an effort to observe your mind critically, as if you were evaluating someone else's mind.
Always ask yourself, "What am I using my mind for now? What kind of person am I being? Am I acting like a child, a tyrant, or an animal?
What is making me act like this? " If you can control your actions and thoughts, and act in an organized manner, you will find peace of mind. If you don't pay attention to the movements of your mind, unhappiness, insecurity and anxiety will increase.
You can find peace from external problems at any time by simply turning inward . But remember to keep it brief and not completely disconnect from the world. Eleven.
The Power of Believing in Yourself. It's curious how we value other people's opinions of us more than our own, even when we love ourselves more than anyone else. This doesn't mean that we should be arrogant, but rather trust ourselves and do what we think is right, without giving so much importance or worrying so much about what others will think.
You know your reasons and don't have to explain your decisions to everyone. It's even worse when we seek to impress or gain approval from people we don't even respect. Think about it: is it really important to receive compliments from people we don't even admire?
Marco Aurélio teaches us not to focus so much on praise and to reflect on its true importance in our lives, considering whether the search for recognition does not leave us empty inside. Be authentic and true. There is no need to show off or try to be something you are not, just to please or gain advantages.
What really matters is being yourself, truly. Twelve. Be flexible.
It is better to be corrected than to continue deceiving yourself. So always be open to accepting corrections. Changing your mind does not mean weakness; on the contrary, it shows that you are free and capable of making noble decisions, especially if new information indicates that you were mistaken.
But, change for valid reasons and do it for the right reasons, not just to please others or because of social pressure from them. The decision to change must be yours, based on what you truly believe and know. Thirteen.
Value freedom. Learn to accept that everyone has the right to express their opinions, even if you don't agree with them. Instead of trying to control others, focus on how you react.
Listen carefully and empathetically, even if what you hear is not what you agree with, and try to put yourself in the other person's shoes, without judgement. Defend equal rights for all, believing in a society where laws apply equally to everyone, regardless of social status or power of expression. Remember that leaders must value the freedom of their citizens above all else.
Be aware that power can corrupt, leading to malice, hypocrisy, and even cruelty. If you are in a leadership role, remember these risks. Maintain self-control and resist the temptation to become a tyrant.
Strive to be the person philosophy wants you to be, remaining committed to equality and respect for the freedom of all. Fourteen. The obstacle is the path.
In life, the obstacles we encounter can actually become the path forward. We can ignore them and pretend they don't exist. Or we can follow Marco Aurélio's advice and see it as an opportunity.
"That's great, what new doors does this open? " This way of seeing things shows how your interpretation can transform difficulties into opportunities. The mind is incredibly adaptable, capable of redirecting obstacles to serve our purposes.
What blocks our path can actually direct your journey. Of course, no one wants to have problems, like having a broken car or losing their job. But, instead of complaining and digging deeper into the well, you start looking for a way out and learning from the situation.
Start asking yourself, "What can I get out of this? " This mentality transforms the obstacle into the path itself, opening up new possibilities. You have the greatest of human instruments, your mind.
But only you lead it, and you can make it work to sink you or to make you progress. Marco Aurélio, through his "Meditations", offers us a collection of mental strategies to make life more peaceful. He used these psychological tricks to stay true to himself while facing the worst atrocities of the ancient world.
We can do the same. Fifteen. Adversity is part of life.
The universe is not particularly concerned about our existence; We were not the only ones in the world faced with problems, difficulties and situations that make our lives more difficult. Accepting that difficulties, setbacks and even tragedies are a side of life is recognizing what it means to be alive. And, Marco Aurélio reminds us that we all go through these experiences.
He advises that, instead of hoping that difficult times will never come, we should seek the strength of character necessary to face them. When we hope that nothing bad or sad will happen to us, we focus on something we cannot control. Instead, we must build our inner strength to withstand any challenges.
And, this is within our reach. When difficult times come, we must be like a promontory facing the waves: firm and capable of calming the storm in our lives. Marco Aurélio motivates us to develop resilience that gives us the strength to face any adversity with courage.
Sixteen. Turning Challenges into Strength. Instead of lamenting when something bad happens, we should see it as a lucky opportunity for remaining resilient.
Life has this irony: it is challenges that give us the opportunity to test and strengthen our capabilities. Marco Aurélio teaches us that when faced with something sad, we must see beyond bad luck and see an opportunity to show our courage and strengthen our character. Facing adversity with this mentality transforms difficulties into moments of personal growth and development.
Seventeen. The eternal recurrence. The universe is always changing, but experiences are eternally the same.
Whether it's a betrayal from a partner, a disappointment from a friend, or professional disappointments, all of these situations have already been experienced by other people. Instead of letting negative feelings overwhelm us, it's more helpful to focus our attention on what really matters. Think about the countless people who have been through similar situations, who felt shaken or bitter, and in the end, realize that these emotions lead nowhere.
Is this how you want to end it? Marco Aurélio encourages us not to let ourselves be affected, but rather to focus on what is possible to do with these experiences, treating them as raw material for your growth. Always control your expectations and remember that the focus that Stoic philosophy teaches us to have is on the really important things in life.
Eighteen. Be practical and deal with what is in front of you. Stop walking aimlessly and getting distracted.
Keep your commitment and focus firm, especially after making a decision. If you want peace of mind, do fewer things, but do them well. Treat each task as if it were the last of your life.
Don't allow your emotions to dominate your reasoning. Eliminate unnecessary thoughts and stop worrying about the future, creating anxieties that don't yet exist. Master your emotions and focus on the now, treating the present moment as a unique opportunity.
Forget false ideas and avoid acting on emotional impulses. With dedication, you can master even what seems impossible. With any task, ask yourself: Why can't I accomplish it?
You will be embarrassed to answer. Don't worry about any physical feature you can't change. Focus, instead, on developing virtues within your reach, such as honesty, dignity, resistance, simplicity, moderation, patience, sincerity, seriousness and generosity.
These are the true qualities you can cultivate to face any situation with integrity and fortitude. Nineteen. Practice getting back on track.
There is no one who has never made a mistake. We've all stumbled and fallen. And when that happens, the secret is to get up quickly and move on.
The quicker you get back on track, the better you will be at dealing with life's twists and turns. Changing deeply is difficult, so we are not free from moments of weakness when we return to old habits. The important thing is to recognize these moments and dedicate yourself to correcting the course.
Ignore that inner voice that tells you to give up just because you failed. Don't feel frustrated or discouraged if all your days aren't perfect. Rise up after each stumble and value progress, even if it is imperfect.
Celebrate your initiatives and engage in your activities with enthusiasm, avoiding the trap of pride or the desire to show off. The search for external validation and ostentation only delay your progress, as pride and the need to show off take you away from your true priorities, especially when you believe you are focused on what is most important. Twenty.
See things as they really are. An effective way to reduce the power that things have over us is to look at them realistically. For example, Marcus Aurelius described wine as fermented grape juice, and his purple robes, a symbol of imperial power, as fabric dyed with mollusk dye.
This same approach we can use not only on objects, but also for actions and behaviors. It is important to examine the principles that guide people, to understand what they value or avoid. Try to see beyond appearances to discover what really motivates someone's love, admiration or vanity.
Ask yourself if someone's disapproval has the real power to affect you or if praise really brings any real benefit. Learn to see things as they really are, so you don't be controlled or let your emotions lead you like a puppet through life. Twenty one.
Money is indifferent. Understand that material wealth, in itself, is good or bad; its true value is in how you employ it. Calling material goods "goods" can confuse us, since having them in abundance does not guarantee a better life.
True riches are in your virtues, in the respect you have for your mind and in your inner satisfaction. If we value material things excessively, we will never be truly free. There will always be the fear of losing what we have, or being envious of what others have.
The error is both in wanting too much and in refusing to receive completely. Both attitudes give these objects a lot of power over our lives. The best way to deal with this is to not let wealth or objects have so much control over us.
We must use what we have wisely, but be ready to let go if necessary. Use what you have positively, without bragging about it or feeling bad about it. And if you don't have something, don't worry about it.
Appreciate what you have now, thinking about how much you would really want these things if you didn't have them. But don't give it so much importance that you feel very sad if you lose it. Twenty-two.
Express Gratitude. Practicing gratitude transforms life, as Marco Aurélio shows at the beginning of "Meditações", where he expresses gratitude for the lessons learned in his youth. He values character development, temper control, and the practice of generosity, charity, and humor.
It highlights the importance of education, hard work, manual skill and simplicity. Marco Aurélio also advises to stay out of gossip and other people's disputes, speak clearly, value freedom of expression, and resolve disagreements peacefully. He values gratitude for gifts received and the ability to truly praise, without superficial or forced praise.
He reminds us not to use the excuse of being "too busy" to neglect important tasks, to listen to friends' problems, to respect teachers, and to give genuine attention to children. It emphasizes the importance of treating people according to their merits and avoiding unnecessary criticism. Always act with dignity and, more than talking about being a good person, simply being one.
These teachings motivate us to value our experiences and the people who have influenced us, and to live with a deep sense of gratitude every day. And if you made it this far, comment: “Gratitude”. Now, to discover eleven stoic remedies to not feel depressed, watch the video on your left.
Thanks for watching.
