What Is Memento Mori? (Explained In 5 Minutes)

It’s worth asking, as the Stoics did, what were we really rushing through?

On the other side of whatever you’re doing, eventually, inevitably, is one thing. What you’re rushing towards is death. And you’re doing it at the expense of the present moment. You tell yourself that the future—the thing you’re after—will be better. But the truth is, it’s not guaranteed. The only thing for sure is now. In this video Ryan Holiday explains what memento mori is in under 5 minutes.

Seneca reminds us that death is something that’s happening here, even as you read this. The time that passes belongs to death, he says. What is lived we never get back. We are dying every minute, every second. When we hurry we are speeding that along.

That’s the purpose of memento mori—"remember that you will die.” It’s purpose is to make you slow down. To not rush through this moment but to exist in it. To be present for it. Even if it is mundane. Even if there is something else you’d rather be doing, even if what may come next is likely better.

And that’s why we made the Memento Mori Life Calendar.

The average human lifespan nowadays is 80 years. That means, your life is made up of (hopefully) 4,160 weeks. So the Memento Mori Life Calendar has 4,160 dots, each dot representing a week of your life and each row representing 2 years of your life. By filling in the Memento Mori Life Calendar every week, you will not only see how much life you've already lived (or as Seneca says, how much you’ve already died), but also how much life you've (hopefully) got left.

And of course, none of those to-be-filled-in dots are guaranteed. Every day it is true: this could be your last day on this planet. As wonderful as it would be if there was no such thing as death, we have to use death as a tool. We have to use it as a spur to move us forward. We have to let it stop us from looking forward to summer. And we have to be made better for the fact that we don’t know how much time we have. We never do. And we never will.

Additional music provided by:
- Kanisan x Wishes and Dreams - morning moon
- Provided by Lofi Records

#Stoicism​ #DailyStoic​ #RyanHoliday​

[CCitis]

A recommendation that really worked for me... walk in a cemetery every once in awhile. I look at all those tombstones, and know that one day I will be there too. Look at the dash between the dates. That is where we are.

[ghundmanful]

As Leonardo Da Vinci said: 'A day well spent brings restful sleep. A life well spent brings restful death.'.

[MosesRabuka]

The greatest tragedy of life is not death, but what we let die inside of us while we are living

[MichaelBiebersWorld]

"No matter what anyone says or does, my task is be good."
This is probably my favorite Aurelius quote. I find it to be superior to the "golden rule".

[thebenjiguy]

"Too late". Those words haunt all of us. Even as young as 18. They can torture endlessly no matter what you've lost, what you've never tried for. How easily they steal away our joy, our present, our life.

"Too late". How horrific the sound. I ask you to not let these words take whatever else remains here for you. They may have taken much, they might be true, but I plead with you to fight death back and love purely whatever you may still touch and speak to.

Do not let death take your spirit early as it whispers those words in your night. Get up, seize what remains, and fight.

[CCitis]

Memento Mori has helped me a lot. Move through anxiety to do things. I have a lot of issues with hypochondria, and still do... but I try and remind myself that I have today, I am well today, and that's it... make the most of it.

[jgxgjgjxgk]

This video found me at a phase of my life when I have been wasting so much of my time on wrong people and things that are harmful for me. Thank you so much for reminding me that being alive is a blessing and is not to be taken for granted.. 🌼

[billyc]

slow down, what you are rushing is towards death.... thank you ryan i needed to hear that.

[ailaranta]

At least since 60 years I have practiced in this thought and so doing have reached my 87 years of age. Finally I don't have to remind myself, because now I know it as a fact and feel better with 'carpe diem' and 'amor fati'. 😁😁 You are great, so clear and cool. Love to listen..

[zachsimmons]

Thanks for introducing me to this philosophy, Ryan.

[luketimelord]

I started my studies on stoicism about 8 months ago and it really changed my life. It's really mindblowing to see life through this filter. I'm reading Meditations — such a wise man Marcus Aurelius was — and I got inspired to kinda do the say and journal about my thoughts, values and make reminders to myself

[smurph]

I worry about the death of those close to me. You are right though, value the people you have in your life right now 💗

[onyebuchiamadife]

I learned two lessons in the video
1 How to avoid procrastination
2 Affiliate marketing.
You asked how? Be a good storyteller and see how people give you all the attention.
You recommend them the product that enhance the topic.

Thank you.

[TA-ekmz]

Thank you!! Definitely a humbling perspective ...your videos are gold ✨
Don’t rush. Be present. Don’t rush to death. Seize the moments. Even tucking in our children. Take your time! Tomorrow is not promised

[qsdailydose]

I love Ryan’s momentum he’s got going I hope it continues stillness is the key

[dalelight]

Ryan, Appreciate your devotion to the Stoic life and its precious teaching. This is especially a clear and vital teaching.Live now, live powerfully, giving your best to the gift of a new day. Thank you.

[oyzydsm]

I was out jogging several months ago in my neighborhood I run against traffic so I can see cars coming at me. And it’s only a 25 mph speed limit. Well some crazy person coming from behind me crossed the entire road at about 70 mph and came within a foot or 2 of hitting me. The air pressure from the car passing me nearly knocked me off balance that’s how close it was. I did not hear her coming as I was listening to music. Not that I would have had much time to react if I wasn’t anyway. If she had hit me I’d probably be dead. This really woke me up

[NEELAMEHAN]

*MEMENTO MORI!*

*We are just the " - " between our birth year and the year we are died as written on our tombstone!*

*POWER!!!*

[daraquinn]

I am thankful for every day above ground, no matter what. I am delighted to have reached 50 and am sure it is because of quitting alcohol at 35. Alcohol is not our friend.

[imawarrior]

This is like medicine to the soul, im a 32 year old Muslim man and to my surprise this video reminds me of our dear prophet’s saying that one should always keep talking about death because it will end all known pleasures. That way ull always be really! This is amazing