Marcus Aurelius: It’s not events but judgements that disturb people

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Opening the door to the intriguing world of stoic philosophy, this insightful offering highlights some of the enlightening thoughts of Marcus Aurelius. Driven by the premise that people are not disturbed by events, but rather their judgments upon them, it explores Aurelius’s timeless wisdom. With each inspired quotation, you’ll embark on a profound journey of self-reflection, empowerment, and stoic wisdom. Enjoy the enlightenment that this engaging piece offers as it carries you through the insightful teachings of one of the great Roman emperors and philosophers.

Exploring the philosophy of Marcus Aurelius

The philosophy of Marcus Aurelius, a man of great wisdom and for many years a highly respected Roman Emperor, holds a special place in the wide spectrum of human thought. His wisdom is rooted in Stoicism, a philosophy that many find useful in leading a serene and fulfilling life.

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Introduction to stoicism

Stoicism is a school of thought with Hellenistic origins, which emphasizes personal ethics informed by its system of logic and views on naturalism. It implies a complete discipline of our moral character, control over our emotional reactions, and transformation of ourselves into a reflection of reason and tranquillity.

Marcus Aurelius life and role as a widely respected Roman emperor

Marcus Aurelius, born in the year 121 AD, was Roman emperor from 161 to 180, instituting a century of peace and prosperity in Rome. His reign was marked by a philosophical approach towards governance and personal conduct, embodying virtues revered by the Stoic philosophy such as wisdom, justice, courage, and moderation.

Significance of Marcus Aurelius in stoic philosophy

Aurelius holds a distinctive position in the understanding and practice of Stoicism. His written work, meditations, serve as a significant source of our understanding of ancient stoic philosophy. His ideas continue to be widely recognized and respected, for their focus on virtue and the development of character.

Understanding the essence of the quote

In order to delve into the depths of Aurelius’s philosophy, let’s take a closer look at one of his most profound statements.

Breaking down the statement ‘It is not events that disturb people, it is their judgement concerning them.’

The perception of our reality and the emotions that arise from it are not purely a result of the circumstances around us but our judgement and interpretation of those events. It’s our reaction and attitude towards these events that distress us, not the events themselves.

Highlighting the focus on control of individual’s thoughts and emotions

This quote emphasizes the importance of regulating our thoughts and emotions. Our reactions are within our control, and by exercising this control, we can retain our tranquillity irrespective of external circumstances.

Interpretation of the quote in contemporary context

In today’s fast-paced world, this statement holds immense importance. We often let external circumstances dictate our emotional state. By understanding and implementing Aurelius’s philosophy, we can learn to detach our emotions from the events, thereby, introducing a sense of calm in our everyday lives.

The concept of judgement in stoicism

The role of judgement in Stoicism can’t be overstated. It’s, indeed, the cornerstone on which much of Stoicism is built.

Defining judgement according to stoicism

In rich Stoic literature and teachings, judgement is understood as our interpretation or perception of reality. It involves the process through which we ascribe meaning to events around us.

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Role of judgement in disturbing the peace of mind

It’s our judgement of events, rather than the events themselves, that lead to emotions such as despair, stress, or anger. Our peace of mind is not disturbed by what happens in the world, but how we see and react to it.

Contrast between judgement and events

Events are objective realities that stand independently of our perception. They’re external and beyond our control. Judgements, on the other hand, are internal and entirely within our control. They represent our interpretation of these events.

How judgements disturb people

Marcus Aurelius posits that it’s our judgements that cause us unrest and not the events in our lives.

Impact of negative judgements on well-being

Negative judgements, such as viewing a setback as a disaster, can greatly undermine our well-being. They add an unnecessary emotional burden and can even lead to psychological distress.

Relation of judgements with anxiety and stress

Many of our anxiety and stress responses stem from our judgement about what these events mean. Interpreting an event as threatening will lead to anxiety, while viewing our workload as unmanageable can cause stress.

Example of judgement leading to disturbance in everyday life

Perhaps you’ve experienced traffic on your way to work and judged that as a negative event. This judgement can lead to frustration and upset your emotional balance. This example illustrates that it’s not the traffic (which is inherently neutral) but our judgement about the traffic that causes disturbance.

Event versus judgement

It’s crucial to understand the difference between events and judgement and how each contributes differently to our emotional state.

Explaining the difference between events and judgement

Whilst events are circumstances or occurrences that happen around us, judgements are the meanings we attach to these events. While events are often out of our control, our judgements about them are within our control.

Why events in themselves don’t cause disturbance

Events, in themselves, don’t have inherent positive or negative value. They simply exist. It’s our judgement that attributes value to them and therefore results in emotional responses.

How interpretation of events creates disturbance

How we interpret or judge an event determines our emotional response to it. If we conclude an incident as bad, it invariably leads to negative emotions. On the contrary, interpreting the same incident as a growth opportunity could lead to optimism and motivation.

Application of Stoic principles for better judgements

Aurelius’s philosophy teaches us to avoid hasty judgements and encourages self-control, reasoning, and objectivity.

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Implementing stoic techniques to control our judgements

Stoicism advises practicing mindfulness, focusing on what is in our control, and accepting what is not. These practices help in cultivating rational judgement and serenity.

Role of stoicism in promoting objectivity

Through Stoicism, one can learn to see things objectively. This objective perspective reduces emotional volatility, enabling us to make better judgements about life events.

Advantages of applying stoic philosophy in tackling disturbing thoughts

By practicing stoicism, we can learn to control our reactions to external events, improving our mental well-being and rendering us better equipped to handle life’s challenges.

Marcus Aurelius on control of thoughts and emotions

The teachings of Marcus Aurelius extensively touch upon the control of thoughts and emotions.

Marcus Aurelius’s views on controlling thoughts and emotions

Aurelius believed that we have complete control over our minds. Thus, we have the power to avoid letting disturbances in the outside world affect our inner peace.

Use of stoic practices in controlling negative thoughts

Through the implementation of Stoic practices such as self-reflection, one can learn to control negative thoughts, consequently leading to emotional stability.

Importance of emotional regulation according to Marcus Aurelius

For Aurelius, emotional regulation was a crucial aspect of an individual’s well-being. It was key to maintaining inner tranquillity and tackling life’s adversities effectively.

Practical examples of Aurelius’s philosophy

To vividly understand the jewels of Aurelius’s philosophy, let’s consider some practical examples.

Real life instances highlighting this aspect of Aurelius’s stoic philosophy

Say you failed at a task. Rather than judging the event as a personal failure and letting it dictate your emotions, view it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

How stoicism can guide decision making and judgement

In decision making, Aurelius’s philosophy advises conducting an impartial examination of the situation, separating personal biases from the event, and then deciding the best possible action.

Exploration of examples depicting control over judgement to avoid disturbances

Consider the common scenario of receiving criticism. Rather than interpreting it as an insult and responding defensively, treat it as feedback and an opportunity for self-improvement.

Judgement and mindfulness

There’s a profound connection between judgements and mindfulness. The practice of mindfulness can significantly improve our judgements, as it encourages acceptance and present-moment awareness.

Connection between stoicism and mindfulness

Stoicism advocates the same principles central to mindfulness: focusing on the present, practicing acceptance, and taking an objective view of realities.

Role of mindfulness in improving judgement

Mindfulness trains us to observe events objectively, decreasing automatic and reactive judgements. This leads to improved judgement, a more accurate perception of reality, and reduced emotional reactivity.

Practices to cultivate mindfulness based on stoic philosophy

Practices include consciously paying attention to your immediate experiences, accepting your thoughts and feelings without judgement, and focusing on present rather than worrying about past or future.

Conclusion: The enduring relevance of Aurelius’s philosophy

Even after centuries, the philosophy of Aurelius remains relevant in every aspect of our lives. It provides a trustworthy path to inner peace and resilience.

Continued importance of Aurelius’s philosophy in modern times

In our fast-paced world, this doctrine of self-control, objective judgement, and focus on the present moment is significantly beneficial. It helps us navigate through life’s highs and lows with grace and wisdom.

How understanding this quote can improve one’s life

Understanding and practicing the principles implicit in Aurelius’s profound quote can improve our life quality. It can make us resilient in face of adversities and give us the wisdom to differentiate between what we can and can’t control.

Emphasizing the control we have over our judgements and responses to external events

We may not have control over what life throws at us, but we certainly have control over how we interpret and respond to it. By controlling our judgements, we can regulate our emotional responses, ensure peace of mind, and live a life of tranquillity and contentment.