Marcus Aurelius - The Power of INDIFFERENCE

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (26 April 121 – 17 March 180) was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 and a Stoic philosopher. He was a member of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty, the last of the rulers later known as the Five Good Emperors and the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an age of relative peace, calm, and stability for the Roman Empire lasting from 27 BC to 180 AD. He served as Roman consul in 140, 145, and 161.

This information in this presentation is based on Marcus Aurelius' Meditations (Koinē Greek: Τὰ εἰς ἑαυτόν, romanized: Ta eis heauton, lit. ''Things Unto Himself''), a series of personal writings, private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy.

Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the Meditations in Koine Greek as a source for his own guidance and self-improvement. It is possible that large portions of the work were written at Sirmium, where he spent much time planning military campaigns from 170-180 C.E. Some of it was written while he was positioned at Aquincum on campaign in Pannonia, because internal notes reveal that the first book was written when he was campaigning against the Quadi on the river Granova (modern-day Hron in Slovakia) and the second book was written at Carnuntum.

It is unlikely that Marcus Aurelius ever intended the writings to be published. The work has no official title, so "Meditations" is one of several titles commonly assigned to the collection. These writings take the form of quotations varying in length from one sentence to long paragraphs.

[AfterSkool]

It's been a long time since I wrote a script to be animated. And this is the first time I've narrated a video myself. Marcus Aurelius' Meditations had a big impact on me and a felt a calling to share this. I hope you all enjoy!

[UnschoolingCOM]

“The first half of life is devoted to forming a healthy ego, the second half is going inward and letting go of it.” ~ Carl Jung

[JaneNewAuthor]

"Discomfort is inevitable, but suffering is a choice."

So true.

Wonderful illustrations too!

[timbo]

I'm 63 and found this incredibly uplifting, thank you.

[jacklynwardlow]

Cannot believe you have been doing this for 12yrs… You inspired me in 2016 and still do today

[nothx-lt]

This has been my way of thought for some time now, when I was young I came to this during experiments with psychedelics, studying philosophy, finding Taoism and studying alternative thoughts, and found as life went on how much this helped me be a happier person and truly appreciate my existence in this universe. It's incredible how so many great minds throughout different places on the planet and history seem to end up in this train of thought. Beautiful video, this should be on the front of YouTube whenever anyone logs in instead of the garbage filling most minds.

[TheInfiniteGM]

Marcus's Meditations is in a category of books that weren't meant to be read by anyone else (it was a journal and a reminder to himself), but desperately needs to be read by everyone.

[jimrowland]

A roadmap to show us the way to desire less stuff while seeking personal fulfillment is a wonderful thing.

[polytechnica]

Indifference can also be seen as a powerful tool for personal freedom. By not attaching excessive importance to fleeting things, an individual can develop a greater sense of self-sufficiency and purpose. Indifference, in this way, isn’t apathy or neglect, but rather a focused, deliberate stance of not being overly influenced by distractions or external pressures.

[alphabeta]

3:00 Be indifferent
4:50 Everything has beauty, but not everyone can see it
6:00 Love the hand that fate deals you
7:30 Suffering is a choice
8:30 Fate is what you’ve been given, destiny is what you make of it
10:00 There’s beauty to be seen in all things

[NicolaMaxwell]

Everyone should read and learn from the meditations. Life changing. Blessings from Scotland ❤

[turtletom]

Best placed ad ever the Ground news advertisement was at the end and didnt take away from the video. Fantastic glad you have a sponsor. Good move for ground news

[Hawaiiartobjects]

❤❤ “Marcus Aurelius out here reminding us that indifference isn’t apathy, it’s power. The man practically invented the ‘calm, cool, and collected’ vibe 2, 000 years before it was trendy. Stoicism: the original self-help guide.”

[witwisniewski]

Boy, does this collection of truths paint a context for thinking about the chaos and madness humans have brought upon themselves for this day.

[Legacy]

This is what a real man looks like. Love Marcus Aurelius, a genuine role model that everyone can learn from

[vladtheimpaler]

Meditations changed my life entirely. I’m glad to know that someone else has been changed by this great person.

[Tangi_ENT]

Dude.

many gems in this one.

I have been ruminating and spiralling lately and this was a great resource for me.

“Why see misfortune in the event than your fortune in being able to bear it ?”

GOLDEN !

Thank you.

[rsrhsart]

This wisdom is so appropriate for navigating the next few years. I first read Meditations some fifty years ago in my tempestuous twenties. It was timely then and I'm pleased to report that nothing has changed. Great video!

[JulieWalmsley]

What an edit. The way you condensed his ideas to be concise yet comprehensive, the illustration, the music, the pacing. Perfect, perfect, perfect. Thank you!

[dbergstrom]

CS Lewis has a great way of putting this. In the Screwtape Letters, written from the demons perspective on how to corrupt a human.
"We want him to be in the maximum uncertainty, so that his mind will be filled with contradictory pictures of the future, every one of which arouses hope or fear. There is nothing like suspense and anxiety for barricading a human’s mind against the Enemy (God). He (God) wants men to be concerned with what they do; our business is to keep them thinking about what will happen to them."