Thank you for being here for Week 1 of Ancient Wisdom.
There's something incredibly powerful about Marcus Aurelius, isn't there? The fact that he was writing these reflections for himself, never intending them to be published, makes them feel so authentic and deeply human.
If you want to explore more, the Meditations is a perfect starting point (I love the Gregory Hays translation). It's the kind of book you can return to again and again, finding new wisdom each time.
Out of curiosity, which of the three Stoic exercises (View from Above, Stoic Journal, or Negative Visualization) do you think you might try first?
Welcome to the Ancient Wisdom community! See you next Wednesday!
I think the Stoic Journal might be something easier to get into at first because I am already journaling almost daily.
I practiced negative visualisation without knowing it had anything to do with Marcus Aurelius. It helped me realise how lucky I am to have my husband, my dog, and my family by my side.
The Above method also intrigues me, and I will definitely try it at a stage in my life when I need it.
So far, I am really enjoying this new information, and thank you so much for the recommendation. I will look into it and can’t wait to read your future posts.
You were already living Stoic wisdom before you even knew its name :-). That's the beauty of timeless philosophy.
Your practice of negative visualization leading to gratitude for your husband, dog, and family is exactly what Marcus Aurelius intended. And since you're already journaling daily, adding a simple Stoic reflection ("What did I control? How did I respond?") will feel completely natural.
Keep the View from Above in your toolkit for when you need it! It's a powerful reset button for overwhelming moments.
Thank you for engaging with the article. Your openness inspires us all!
Jordan, thank you for this piece. Your courage in questioning established narratives resonates with my own work, and you are right that our histories are often incomplete and dismiss the symbolic and spiritual dimensions our ancestors held paramount.
However, we must be cautious. While Maier's Arcana Arcanissima offers profound insights into symbolism, it is a 17th-century work of Renaissance alchemy, not a primary source for ancient Egyptian history. If we take it as that, we commit an anachronistic error.
The deeper question you raise is vital: do we approach the past as dead facts or as living wisdom? We must read it with both mind and soul, open to our ancestors' deeper understanding, yet disciplined in our thinking. The path to wisdom lies not in replacing one dogma with another, but in rigorous critical thinking and careful evidence. I would also add, that an understanding of spirituality and even better personal experience is also important.
A fascinating book I suggest you read is the “The Gods of Eden” by William Bramley.
Fascinating! Thank you very much. Looking forward to more.
'...mind can be an unbreakable fortress, as long as we continually build it.'
Fascinating article! You definitely made me want to read more about Stoicism and Marcus Aurelius.
Thank you for being here for Week 1 of Ancient Wisdom.
There's something incredibly powerful about Marcus Aurelius, isn't there? The fact that he was writing these reflections for himself, never intending them to be published, makes them feel so authentic and deeply human.
If you want to explore more, the Meditations is a perfect starting point (I love the Gregory Hays translation). It's the kind of book you can return to again and again, finding new wisdom each time.
Out of curiosity, which of the three Stoic exercises (View from Above, Stoic Journal, or Negative Visualization) do you think you might try first?
Welcome to the Ancient Wisdom community! See you next Wednesday!
I think the Stoic Journal might be something easier to get into at first because I am already journaling almost daily.
I practiced negative visualisation without knowing it had anything to do with Marcus Aurelius. It helped me realise how lucky I am to have my husband, my dog, and my family by my side.
The Above method also intrigues me, and I will definitely try it at a stage in my life when I need it.
So far, I am really enjoying this new information, and thank you so much for the recommendation. I will look into it and can’t wait to read your future posts.
You were already living Stoic wisdom before you even knew its name :-). That's the beauty of timeless philosophy.
Your practice of negative visualization leading to gratitude for your husband, dog, and family is exactly what Marcus Aurelius intended. And since you're already journaling daily, adding a simple Stoic reflection ("What did I control? How did I respond?") will feel completely natural.
Keep the View from Above in your toolkit for when you need it! It's a powerful reset button for overwhelming moments.
Thank you for engaging with the article. Your openness inspires us all!
Hello Jordan, thank you for the kind words, much appreciated.
I’m glad you’ve found the notes interesting. Thanks also for sharing your article. I’ll give it a proper read.
Jordan, thank you for this piece. Your courage in questioning established narratives resonates with my own work, and you are right that our histories are often incomplete and dismiss the symbolic and spiritual dimensions our ancestors held paramount.
However, we must be cautious. While Maier's Arcana Arcanissima offers profound insights into symbolism, it is a 17th-century work of Renaissance alchemy, not a primary source for ancient Egyptian history. If we take it as that, we commit an anachronistic error.
The deeper question you raise is vital: do we approach the past as dead facts or as living wisdom? We must read it with both mind and soul, open to our ancestors' deeper understanding, yet disciplined in our thinking. The path to wisdom lies not in replacing one dogma with another, but in rigorous critical thinking and careful evidence. I would also add, that an understanding of spirituality and even better personal experience is also important.
A fascinating book I suggest you read is the “The Gods of Eden” by William Bramley.