In this episode we unpack Roman Emperor and Stoic Philosopher Marcus Aurelius's classic book "Meditations" from 170 AD.

This book explores...

• Seeing Things as They Really Are


• Focusing Only on What is in Your Control


• Remaining Calm Through Turbulent Times

Links to Reading & Articles mentioned

Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin

Principles by Ray Dalio

Silence of the Lambs (movie)

*note* reading is not required to enjoy this episode!

Host: Zach Stehura  UnpackingIdeas.com

Guest: Steve Chung

Theme Music: Polyenso

Timestamps

00:00:00 Intro

00:03:11 Modern Interpretations of Stoicism

00:04:21 Translation

00:05:13 Why Aurelius Wrote the Book 

00:08:30 Doing Good for the Wrong Reasons

00:09:37 Seeking Truth No Matter Who is Speaking it

00:13:10 The Logos

00:15:19 The Importance of Rationality 

00:16:39 Doing What is in Our Nature

00:17:40 Focusing on Yourself 

00:20:14 Expect People to Do What is in Their Nature

00:22:03 The Interconnected of All People

00:24:30 What is Natural is Good

00:25:58 Death = Change

00:26:49 Death as the Great Equalizer

00:27:43 Momento Mori 

00:28:35 The Difference Between Stoicism and Nihilism 

00:31:28 Your Legacy Won’t Live On After You Die

00:33:22 Seeking Approval From Others

00:36:08 Focusing on What is in Our Control

00:37:29 The Transgressor Harms Themselves When They Transgress

00:38:56 External Things Can’t Harm You  

00:40:58 All Sin is Due to Ignorance 

00:48:30 Equanimity 

00:50:04 The Appeal of Stoicism During Times of Great Upheaval

00:53:11 Parallels to Buddhism

00:53:24 Seeing Things Objectively

00:57:35 There is Nothing New Under the Sun

01:00:00 The Present is the Only Time That Exists

01:02:55 Wrapping Up/Outro