Self-improvement and growth are a big topic for me and I think it is everyone's duty to become the best version of himself. I try to read every day and with this blog, I want to summarize the books that I have read and say my thoughts about them.

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Devin Hasler




## 🚀 The Book in 3 Sentences

1. The philosophy of Marcus Aurelius, known as Stoicism, emphasizes rationality, self-control, and acceptance of one's fate in the universe. This approach is still studied and appreciated today for its practical advice on how to live a fulfilling life.
2. The only thing that matters in life is activity
3. Nothing is good except what leads to fairness, self-control, courage, and free will. And nothing bad except what does the opposite.

## 🕵🏼Who Should Read It?

The book may not appeal to all readers, as it lacks a clear central theme and is comprised of personal reflections and notes from Marcus Aurelius. Originally not intended for publication, it is most engaging for those interested in Stoicism or seeking insight into the thoughts of Marcus Aurelius.

## ☘️ How the Book Changed Me

Meditations enhanced my understanding of Marcus Aurelius, and the book significantly increased my admiration for him. It also altered my perspective on self-control and material possessions. While I found some of Marcus's statements excessively rigorous and occasionally overly simplistic, I can affirm that I share many of his values and his approach to life. To me, Marcus Aurelius is an exemplar of how to manage persistent stress and discover purpose and joy in life.

## ✍️ My Top 3 Quotes

> “Noting natural is evil.” Marcus Aurelius
>

> “No thefts of free will reported.” Epictetus
>

> “You’re better off not giving the small things more time than they deserve.” Marcus Aurelius
>

## 📒 Summary + Notes

It is hard to summarize a book that has no central theme and that is not actually a book because Marcus Aurelius wrote 12 “Books” containing his thoughts and notes. These 12 Books have no central theme and are not in chronological order or even logical order. That is why I thought I will explain who Marcus Aurelius is and why he wrote those notes to himself. Also, I will summarize the book to recurring values and messages that Marcus Aurelius believes and lives on.

### The life of Marcus Aurelius

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor and philosopher who ruled from 161 to 180 AD and is best known for his writings on stoicism. He sprang from a distinguished enough family. The year of his birth coincided whit his grandfather’s second tenure of the consulship, in theory, Rome’s highest office. It was to be his grandfather who brought him up, for his father died when he was very young. Marcus Aurelius is said to have been fond of quoting Plato’s dictum and those who have written about him have rarely been able to resist applying it to Marcus himself.  Although Marcus was born into a wealthy family, it was never considered that Marcus would become emperor of Rome but in 137 Ceionius (the planned successor of the emperor Hadrian) died unexpectedly, and Hadrian was forced to cast about for a new successor. His choice fell on the childless senator Antoninus, whom he selected with the proviso that Antoninus should in turn adopt Marcus (his nephew by marriage). Marcus took on the family name of his adopted father, becoming Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

### Happiness and Mindfulness

Marcus demonstrated a high level of self-awareness and a keen understanding of how to achieve happiness and mindfulness. This is exemplified in Book 4 where he stated the following: “People try to get away from it all—to the country, to the beach, to the mountains. You always wish that you could too. Which is idiotic: you can get away from it anytime you like.” His solution for this problem is going within. Being mindful. He states that the most important ability to have is to control your thoughts and treat them with respect. He said that you should forget everything else because each of us lives only now, this brief instant. The rest has been lived already or is impossible to see.

Marcus said that there is no reason to not be happy. Why should you suffer and be degraded -miserable, tense, frightened?

### Minimalism

Despite being one of the wealthiest and most influential individuals in the world, Marcus never fixated on material possessions and refrained from boasting about his belongings and power. He wore normal clothes, fasted and sometimes lived in a soldier’s tent to remind him of his values.

For example, in Book 8, he says you should be satisfied if you can live the rest of your life, however short. You should focus on that and not let anything distract you. You should not wander all over and finally realize that you never found what you were after, how to live. Not in syllogisms, not in money, fame, or self-indulgence. Nowhere.

Also, he says that you should stop prizing other things because otherwise, you will never be free and independent. You will always be envious and jealous, afraid that people might come and take it all away from you.

### Stress

It's easy to see how the emperor of Rome would be under a lot of stress. During Marcus' reign, he faced a plague that caused widespread death, had to navigate conflicts with the Parthian empire, and even dealt with multiple attempts to deceive him. Despite all of these challenges, Marcus had a simple yet effective way of managing stress. He reminded himself of the following:
What is it—this thing that now forces itself on my notice? What is it made up of? How long was it designed to last? And what qualities do I need to bring to bear on it—tranquillity, courage, honesty, trustworthiness, straightforwardness, independence or what?

### Self-control

It has been said that Marcus possessed an extraordinary degree of self-control. In his writings, Marcus frequently emphasizes the importance of self-control. For instance, in Book 3 he states:
How to act: Never under compulsion, out of selfishness, without forethought, with misgivings. Don’t gussy up your thoughts. No surplus words or unnecessary actions.

His self-control is also displayed when he talks about waking up early. He agrees that we have to sleep sometime. But he said that nature set a limit on that—as it did on eating and drinking. And you’re over the limit. You’ve had more than enough of that. But not of working. So if you want to learn how to wake up as early as marcus aurelius you have to read the summary about the book miracle morning (https://www.peopleofgrowth.com/post/themiraclemorning)

### Death

Marcus has a very drastic view of death and a very simple one too. He states that death is only the dissolution of the elements from which each living thing is composed. If it doesn’t hurt the individual elements to change continually into one another, why are people afraid of all of them changing and separating? It’s a natural thing. And noting nature is evil.

According to Marcus, the only thing to be afraid of is the possibility of one day losing our comprehension of the world.

In observing Marcus' way of life, it is evident that he maintained a strict lifestyle while also being open to showing helplessness. This is particularly impressive, given the environment in which he was raised. It's remarkable that Marcus helped to shape modern Stoicism, which is evident when reading contemporary books on the subject (see https://www.peopleofgrowth.com/post/discipline-is-destiny). Despite facing countless distractions, Marcus was able to manage his life in a simplistic and disciplined manner. I hold great respect for him and his lifestyle. Please share your thoughts on Marcus Aurelius and his way of life in the comments below. I hope to see you in my next blog post.

With regards  
Devin Hasler

A book about the values and life of Marcus Aurelius a Roman emperor and former practitioner of stoicism.

Meditations


## 🚀 The Book in 3 Sentences

1. Self-improvement is not punishment it is simply the work for which pleasure is the reward
2. Improve your Body, your Temperament and your Soul every day
3. The less you desire, the richer you are, the freer you are, the more powerful you are

## 🕵🏼Who Should Read It?

This book is written for everyone because it contains rules and values that apply to everyone and can aid in their self-improvement journey. However, it is possible that some individuals may find certain rules and values in the book to be overly strict or extreme. Additionally, those who are seeking a book that offers specific actions to improve their life may not find what they are looking for in this book.

## ☘️ How the Book Changed Me

The book has improved my perception of stoicism. As a result of reading it, I re-evaluated some of my life goals and the material possessions that I believed were necessary. Furthermore, it reinforced my admiration for Marcus Aurelius. I intend to read "Meditations" now in order to gain more insight into his philosophies and the values associated with the stoic way of life. This book serves as a powerful motivator and imparts important life lessons.

## ✍️ My Top 3 Quotes

> “When a man can control his life, his physical needs, his lower self he elevates himself.” Muhammad Ali
>

> “Freedom is only the opportunity for self-discipline.” Eisenhower
>

> “You may lose battle but never lose a minute to sloth” Napoleon
>

## 📒 Summary + Notes

The book employs prominent figures to illustrate crucial values that lead to success, good health, and happiness in life. It recounts the lives of notable individuals such as Lou Gehrig, Queen Elizabeth II, boxer Floyd Patterson and Marcus Aurelius, among others, and details their actions to demonstrate important values. The author, Ryan, classifies these values into three categories: The Body, The Temperament, and The Soul.

### THE EXTERIOR (THE BODY)

The advantages of maintaining a healthy body are widely acknowledged in all scientific fields and Ryan emphasizes the importance of taking care of your body. In this chapter, he highlights the significance of going to bed and waking up early, as previously mentioned in the summary of "Sleep Smarter."

[Sleep Smarter](https://www.peopleofgrowth.com/post/sleep-smarter)

Ryan also emphasizes the need to govern our bodies effectively. Although our bodies have remained largely unchanged for thousands of years, our environment has undergone significant transformations. Our bodies are designed for survival, but survival is no longer a concern in contemporary society. Therefore, when our bodies crave unhealthy food, we must remind ourselves, that we no longer live in the Stone Age and we don't need to worry about getting enough food.

It is crucial to exercise control over our physical needs, dress well, treat our bodies well, moderate our desires, work hard, exercise regularly and pursue opportunities because these actions can foster positive thinking and happiness while also resulting in significant rewards.

### THE INNER DOMAIN (THE TEMPERAMENT)

The temperament of a human being is just as important for a healthy and successful life as having a healthy body. Many people are entirely in control of their physical appearance, but their life is a mess elsewhere, leading to nothing. Practising self-control daily and managing your temptations is vital. You must concentrate and keep your focus on the main thing only. For example, Ludwig van Beethoven would sometimes abruptly leave a conversation with his friends to write down a new melody during his famous flow state. Focus goes hand in hand with respecting your time and using it wisely. Too many people waste endless time watching TV or on their phones watching YouTube. However, it's important to know that you don't have to be perfect and the 80/20 Pareto Principle can help you get things done efficiently. The Pareto Principle states that you can get 80% of your work done in 20% of your time, but the remaining 20% of the work will take 80% of your time. Therefore, use your time wisely, moderate your ambition and strive to improve yourself every day.

### THE MAGISTERIAL (THE SOUL)

In this chapter, Ryan talks about how it's not uncommon to find someone who has physical control of themselves. Nor is there a shortage of brilliant people who have brought their minds and spirits under control in the pursuit of this profession or that one. What is extraordinarily rare is someone who not only combines these two disciplines but also manages to do so in the so-called arena, in public life as a doer, a contributor to society.

Ryan explains the importance of staying flexible despite your habits and making others better. He tells the story of Angela Merkel, who did not let the position she was in or the money she had change her. She had no problem when people referred to her as the "girl of the pastor". That is the key. Do not let the success you experience change the way you talk with people or how you view them. Be strict with yourself but tolerant of others. This is one of the most important values for a stoic.

Now equipped with the values of a modern stoic, I wish you the best of luck on your journey to practice stoicism. Feel free to leave a comment about what you think of the book and the values it preaches and I hope to see you again, reading the next blog.

With regards  
Devin Hasler

A book that explores the concept of discipline and how it can help us achieve success in all areas

Discipline

Meditations

Discipline is Destiny