How To Think Clearly - Marcus Aurelius (Stoicism)
In this video we will be talking about how to think clearly from the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius. Marcus Aurelius was a devout student of the philosophy of Stoicism and constructed a series of autobiographical writings, now known as the Meditations.
So here are 5 ways to think clearly from Marcus Aurelius-
01. Train Your Perception
02. Learn To Control Your Emotions
03. Exercise The Dichotomy Of Control
04. Keep Virtues In Mind
05. Always Consider The Big Picture
I hope you enjoyed watching the video and hope you find these insights form Marcus Aurelius will help you in thinking clearly.
Even though Marcus Aurelius wrote it 2,000 years ago - his insights on Stoicism still carry strong weight today. Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens in the early 3rd century BC. Even though it is over 2000 years old, more and more people are discovering how Stoicism is not only relevant to modern times, but can be applied in very simple, yet strong ways.
Research/Writing: Lisa Hentschke
Narration/Audio Editing: Dan Mellins-Cohen
www.dmcvoiceovers.com
Music - Enchanting Inspirational Music - Royalty Free - This Moment
• Enchanting Inspiration...
Subscribe To Philosophies for Life
/ @philosophiesforlife
Marcus Aurelius says “Choose not to be harmed and you won’t feel harmed. Don’t feel harmed and you haven’t been”. We hope that you enjoyed this video and for more videos to help you find success and happiness using ancient philosophical wisdom, don’t forget to subscribe. Thanks so much for watching.
Any books on Stoicism you can recommend? Thank you
Thank you so much for making these videos.
Similar conclusion as the finale of the film “Adaptation”: I would do well to remember these words.=> kzhead.info/sun/q51pd9CdioqnfJ8/bejne.html
@@OmarGabra Books are good; Carl Jung’s “The Red Book” seems to be helpful for me as well as looking up his works about Shadows and the Soul here on KZhead
This is like the eightfold path. The idea is to deny your own perspective. You become like a "judge" who is impartial and determines the best way forward to protect all parties involved and all of the property. They're a practice of self denial.
*”Do not fear having no friends. Fear having bad friends”* ~My life taught lesson
more wisdom with us)
That’s me 😢
Try having no friends first...or being abandoned by yr family before you speak of such things
well said 🤝
Exacto mundo
"You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this and you will find great strength." -Marcus Aurelius
IOW, we have the power to control how we react to an event, but not the event itself. Aurelius was a great general and a great common sense and intellectual thinker, a very unique, special combination.
@@GladysAlicea That explains the point very well🙏💜 Here's a quote that I think supports it quite well: "While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us." -Benjamin Franklin
I don't like it tbh. From my point, I feel like I have a lot of influence over my life, even if it's actually lacking, I can always gain more. Maybe that's just my view
@@qubek533 Friend, I think you may have misunderstood the quote. I think these clarify it quite well: "The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control. Where then do I look for good and evil? Not to uncontrollable externals, but within myself to the choices that are my own…" -Epictetus "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts." -Marcus Aurelius All the best!✨
Isnt jugdement our compasitie to calculate thinks in advance to avoid our self from unpleasant experiences ? His fillosphie sounds to me like a cheap commercial sentence. If i watch sth terrible, is it easy to choose to not judge this terrible. Where is ethik and morality without judgement. I even dare to doubt there is reason and intelligence without comparison,judgement and analyze
I love studying stoicism. The peace I’ve gotten from living this way is unbeatable
This is crazy, my great grandfather told me when I was very little as that key to happiness was getting up early in the morning and doing the right thing. He said it’s not always going to be easy or fun but if you live by those morals your going to be happy with your life.
That's not exactly what the point of all this is but I'm glad it helped you if it did.
@@SolidSiren nonsense. that is EXACTLY what this is about. Just one branch on the Tree of Stoicism. This is part of its beauty; that it is eminently applicable to every aspect of life. Doing the right thing is a central tenet.
Go go papa!
My dad always says you do the right thing because it's the right thing to do.
@@MaIContenthmmm I beg to differ…I don’t think waking up early is the key to happiness. I think the key to happiness is contentment in where you currently are but always working towards a goal and enjoying the journey along the way. It’s not about the destination. It’s about the lessons learned along the way.
Every time I watch a lesson on stoicism I realize I had achieved some sort of stoic enlightenment by myself and just recently learned to deal with my anger against myself.
1. Train your perception 2. Learn how to control your emotions 3. Dichotomy of control 4. keep virtue in mind ( wisdom, justice, courage, temperance) 5. Always consider the big picture are good stoicism philosophies to live by day to day. These render peace of mind.
“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” - Marcus Aurelius. This is very helpful for everyday like. Thank you for this. ♥
The original business model of KZhead was annoying, but at least the ads were reasonable. New flood of invasive, repetitive, and offensive ads are EVIL. Google is now fully dedicated to doing any evil that seems profitable. And censoring complaints, too.
So, someone is stabbing you but if you don't acknowledge it, you're fine.
It helps you find happiness without control. But it is possible to do the opposite. Have actual control and obtain your desire. Both however are probably needed together throughout life. Sometimes using internal control sometimes external. Always depends moment to moment
@Mesolithic Man if you are hyper focused on it, the pain will be overwhelming and all consuming. If the focus is on the fact that it is superficial and temporary it is significantly less. There are many ways to view something. What we feel is directly related to what we choose to focus on.
Very true. Love it
I am pretty sure the world would have been a much better place if people applied Marcus Aurelius' teachings to their life. Excellent video as always.
The original business model of KZhead was annoying, but at least the ads were reasonable. New flood of invasive, repetitive, and offensive ads are EVIL. Google is now fully dedicated to doing any evil that seems profitable. And censoring complaints, too.
People would be less impulsive and think more critically.
If we can stay away from judging others and everything around us, life would be much more pleasant.
Very difficult not the judge. Even this video talks about judging between what is good, bad or indifferent
@@noremac4807 the key is always do the right thing we all have good or evil Choose the choice
One of his quotes is basically not to expect people to be perfect. That’s not natural. Expect people to be needy, greedy, judgmental, etc. He wasn’t saying be pessimistic but realistic, focus on the good while acknowledging nature and the brevity of life. Too brief to overly focus on the negative.
Very true.
I think it’s important to use healthy discrimination and wise judgment.. Say you need a babysitter for your kids. You’ve got two options. 1) A sweet lady with good standing within the community. 2) A known child molester. First you need to judge which person is right for your kids, and in order to make a good choice you’ll need a modicum of discrimination. Your children will appreciate your judgment.
I've often returned to this little observational gem: We are often frightened more than hurt, and we suffer more in imagination than in reality - Seneca
"There's been a lot of terrible things in my life, and most of them never happened."
This is eye opening, very deep.
Fatigue, stress, hunger and other distractions make rational thinking a skill to learn
The greatest thing to learn from people such as Marcus Aurelius is that the answers are in the mind and heart. Everything gives a chance to learn and grow, then you will never fail. 💯
The universe showed me stoicism to help my ptsd and be stoic instead of emotional thank you for the very good video ❤
I try to see emotional as a state worth experiencing on its own. Stoicism the same. Combining them equally the same. And deletion of both and attempts to find a third separate way between opposites. Unity of them is good Balance of its individual separateness. As opposites as duality is good to consider. Each side by itself without its pair in mind is useful. And consideration of full removal of each is useful. To me anyway. So I do that to all I study
Sounds like you manned up! Congratulations 🎊
The universe 😂🫵🥜🧠
@@parkosterwich7274people will say anything but God lmao
"Take a step back! Look at the Big Picture. Let go." 🌞💪💪😁👏👏💐
I wish we all gave each other grace, kindness, and patience. I know it requires practice but if anything should be practiced it should be those things.
Dear Lord, kindly grant me strength to accept those things that I cannot change. Let me have the courage to change the things that I can... and have the wisdom to know the difference. Amen.
Amen!!
@@bunnykatsoracle3275 , Welcome to our Amen club. Bro.
@@kittytam1545 thank you! It's great to be here 😊 👊🙏
@@bunnykatsoracle3275, You will be our Amen club Treasure..
@Kitty Tam i accept my new appointment with gratitude and humility, thank you 🙏. I look forward to serving on this board
I need to play this everytime i have too much struggle perceiving things this way. My day is already brighter from this
What Marcus Aurelius said about the need to make sure that people must have clarity on thoughts is the most important part of the thought process and as such is beyond doubt incredibly so true is this fact which is too often ignored by emotional impulses.
Thank you, this is priceless GEM for this generation and the ones to come
so many lessons from this video. thank you for this!!
Marcus Aurelius was the GOAT
Absolutely the best video because it also gives the right advice on what to do and how to do it instead of just ordering people to change their views and saying to them that their way of thinking is not right. Advice without suggestions is useless, just frustrating! Thank you for this very helpful video!
This video has totally changed my perspective.
As a young adult I was once described as a stoic, in a flippant way. I never understood the full, meaning until I listened to this video. In simplistic terms, this video describes me, my inner thoughts, my thinking and ultimately my resulting behaviours - even why, in a crowd or audience, I am stand on my own. I've often heard the term "the grass is often greener on the other side" but that is only half the story! What we subsequently come to find out is that it [the grass] "is just as hard to cut". Thank you so much for posting this video
As an Abuser, whenever any of my victims call me out for being abusive, I link them this video and hopefully that sends them down the stoic pipeline of learning to accept my abusive behavior. "Do not judge everything based on emotion", I'll remind them when they are rightfully upset at me. "Train your perception" is a doozy I also pull out when they start trying to point to specific instances of me being a "bad guy". "Always consider the bigger picture!" or "Doncha think you should try taking a cosmic perspective?" I will condescendingly remark. Stoicism is truly my favorite philosophy (for you, not for me). Ciao.
Just wondering if you worked on your abusive behavior because that is something in your control.
Very informational, concise, and practical approach. Thanks for making it and educating us. Thanks
I love all his wisdom
Meditations is fantastic. Couldn’t help but click. Thank you!
What a great video, THANK YOU ❤
This video is one of my top 10 all time favorite
Thank you for taking the initiative to make this video.
Indeed impressive, powerful and knowledgeable philosophy. Kudos Marcus Aurelius 👍
"Live in accordance with nature" is at odds with "fairness". A constant readjustment of the concept to compensate for balance is a real grind. A worthy and admirable ideal.
For me the hardest thing is to control emotions . Not easy at all as it sounds
This was beautiful- I am sending it to all my kids ❤
IT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENS....ITS HOW YOU DEAL WITH WHAT HAPPENS. IT WILL SET YOU FREE.
👏🏾
👏🏾
... Thank you... This was a great digest of stoicism!
Jesus, this has been my journey since 20 years old..the last thing I learned is controlling my emotions. But, as he said at the beginning, it's a constant application. It's easy to fall back into the initial reaction...but it's important to step back and no matter what, remember one thing, that you need to step back..and when you're not doing what you're supposed to, It actually feels off. This is how I feel like you've achieved this truely.
Meditate
Look up “The Frame Technique” by Aaron 🙌🏽
Grew up on church. My family departed from going to church when I was 14 but I would remember Gods word and his love and I would always feel bad or get a bad feeling whEnever I done something wrong
@@jlucer53 You missed the point.
Thank you for creating this video.
I don't know why they don't teache us such useful philosophy at school
Because the people who teach don't know.
"They don’t want a population of citizens capable of critical thinking. They don’t want well informed, well educated people capable of critical thinking. They’re not interested in that. That doesn’t help them. Thats against their interests. Thats right. They don’t want people who are smart enough to sit around a kitchen table to figure out how badly they’re getting fucked by a system that threw them overboard 30 fucking years ago. They don’t want that. You know what they want? They want obedient workers. Obedient workers. People who are just smart enough to run the machines and do the paperwork, and just dumb enough to passively accept all these increasingly shittier jobs with the lower pay, the longer hours, the reduced benefits, the end of overtime and the vanishing pension that disappears the minute you go to collect it." -George Carlin
Through my personal experienced in life. This thoughts give me goose bumps all through my intire body and this true. The higher virtue you obtained in life the easier to you move and think clearly. Thank you for this wonderful video keep spreading the good vibration in life. #always look at the big picture.
And there are no shortcuts to wisdom. I knew already from the moment i've read my first sentences years ago that this is something I'm gonna practice everyday for the rest of my life. This is not some quickfix to get over shortterm effects. Build a strong foundation. Be untouchable.
With knowledge comes power, with power comes responsibility. For when good men that fail to act is when evil prevails. If you are reading thus, it is a sign that you are a good man. Sometimes we lose direction, but all roads lead to Rome when your end goal is set in stone. A problem I see with most men is lack or direction. I've always just wanted to die happy, the way I will do this is knowing that I never gave up on myself, only on those that had given up on themselves. Great men and women lead by example, live your best life and you will show others the wisdom they need through your own happiness. Be happy kings and queens, with little and alot. God bless 🙌
thank you for these videos 🙏❤️
Another excellent video on stoicism in this series. This is now my second favourite of the philosophy series (after How to manage your time - Seneca). Much appreciated all your videos, your narratives speak right into me, resonating. I now believe we are all connected to one another and to the universe.
If your Reading this I sow Prayer seeds of Mighty Rivers of Blessings, Favor, Prosperity, Success, Grace, Protection, Love, Joy, Happiness, Peace, Wisdom, Knowledge, Understanding and Good Health to You and your Kids Kids Forevermore. 222
Affinity 🫡❤️🙏🏾❤️🫡
Absolutely love your videos, thank you!
When it comes to anger, the stoic philosophy should be clear here. Silence can be also a way of solving problem. The more you keep silence, the more you stop people from taking an advantage on you.
What an amazing class! Thanks for the quality content. Sub ❤
This is a really, really, really, really, really, really good video. A fantastic mix of the knowledge and the actionable insight. Thank you for it.
Excellent... Thank you❤️
This is so helpful. I was judging sometimes and not even aware of it. Staying objective is key.
Hard to do, but if it was easy everyone would be doing it.
@@teriw56 it’s called sarcasm
@@teriw56 it’s called sarcasm I dumb dumb
needed this video, thank you 🙏🏽
This is truly helpful
I love the stoic philosophy! If only it applied to our day. There have been so many cultural and economic changes that it really doesn't apply to current day. Some things maybe, but for the most part our modern cultures will kick your ass if you solely apply these philosophies.
This find this video very useful to me. It gave a much clearer way to view myself and the problems that I am currently facing in my life... I hope to see more similar videos from your channeling in the future.
And help people like us.
This is one of those rare KZhead videos; where due to the subject matter being discussed, commenters will really need to think carefully before they type anything scathing or negative.
quality videos like this deserve more views! just want to say thank you for putting together all these really valuable knowledge, i really feel like after watching this i took a brand new look on my life and decided to make a change!!
Educational and discipline- many thanks!🎈
"Harms can only be,if you consider them as harms",,,Marcus and the the whole philosophy teachings has really changed my perception of life in a Broadway,,,"The meditation"is the book of all times 2nd from the Bible.
I really resonate with the advice to deal with your anger by asking if what you are thinking of doing will be helpful. Now, I've just got to slow the process down enough to be able to take that view. Wish me luck!😂
"Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking." - Marcus Aurelius
So beautiful music. I like it.
❤wise words. This man is a legend❤
I appreciate how Stoicism emphasizes the importance of self-control.
Self is the only thing you can control. Zen looks at it differently.
This video itself is relaxing
What a Wiseman Marcus was These days we have almost fools as our political leaders, corporate heads and army commanders who mismanage the world to its destination.
thanks for this inspiring and amazing episode!
The Book of Five Rings Quotes and Review: The Classic Guide to Strategy By Miyamoto Musashi: kzhead.info/sun/q517ZJ2tgYmgnq8/bejne.html
excellent video. thank you
thank you for this video
I pick people to talk with about certain subjects not all humans can remove themselves from a situation to actually think it through and have a real conversation. People seem to think everything is a judgement to their character without the ability to remove themselves they just see judgement of their character or situation and seem to hop right on the defensive I can't and try really hard not to talk to people who can not remove themselves from a situation. They stress me out
My biggest rule in life, gained from many years is Honesty is a personal choice Truth is a perception Treat everyone with honesty and your understanding of the truth without anger, frustration or spite Never compromise on these and your life will be so much better
All this is really possible,ever since I started working on my mind and the way of thinking I live a more calmly life,I no longer stressed or moody always feel relaxed and most of the time I’m in high frequency
Same with me ! Though i did not master it of course, Do you have any advice ?
Legend✨
*Thank you for the video!*
So nice! I do all of those things and more and I never knew about Stoicism : )
Here's one from me "Life is full of pain, wisdom is your aspirin"
I like it 👍 thanks
How about, "Anybody who hates dogs and kids can't be all bad."
Anesthesia is the medication that puts you to sleep.
@@bloodybonescomic you are not wrong buddy! I meant aspirin 🤣🙏
Wow I will borrow that🙌 😊
. Undo your judgement. . Learn to control emotions. . temperance . Always see like the third person
WISDOM -pure and simple.
Great Work! Thanks a lot!!
Thank you x
I absolutely love this video, it’s my character without realising.
When your practical, and realize feelings are a season or flavor, not the beef.
This was entirely wonderful. It is great to learn about Marcus Aurelius, last in the line of the “great five emperors”, and to get a bit of a handle on what Stoic thought entails. Thank you.
The way we think is very important
Thanks for suggesting perspective - take a step back and look at the whole picture.
Excellent lesson...ty
Informative ❤
We must be the change we wish to see in the world! Mahatma Ghandi
Love this . 🙏💜🙏💜🙏
Good lessons.❤❤❤
Thanks!
Makes me think of the serenity prayer.
Amazing information thank you. Greetings from James J in Limerick city Ireland
Thank you for these videos. Stoicism is the most rational and freeing philosophy school, it's really helping me to cope with everything what's currently going on while living in Ukraine (unfortunately, not every rule is applicable but overall concept helps to deal with bad feelings).
Slava ukraini 🇺🇦 💙💛
Are you living in Eastern or Western Ukraine? How bad is it out there?
I applaud all ukrainians for their strengths and heroism in their fight of good versus evil. With most of the world on your side and with the God of this universe being all righteous and good be strong and never give up. God and all the God- loving Nations of this world will lead you to victory. My prayers go out to all the great unselfish people of Ukraine and always remember as tough as it is now always be grateful for even the smallest things. Life will get much better very soon. Slava ukraini
@@gregorymiron8116 all ukrainians? Including azov? You really are no better than the people you despise
Blessings and peace to you friend🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️
Marcus Aurelius should be more famous and written about. His "philosophy" is simple common sense. Simple, sound, rational, common sense. We should ALL be Stoics.
i do and don’t need this video when i don’t need this video generally but actually kind of do for my own thinking for a bit of situations and thinking kinda of below a crayon short for a bit of situations when i shouldn’t but can and have to for specific situations.
I've watched a couple of your videos on stoicism and it's quite interesting to me. Unconsciously over my personal journey I've been practicing stoicism here and there. It really does work. I think I'm going to look into it more.
Getting rid of judgement has single handedly been one of, if not the most impactful component which has helped me to significantly reduce my self induced stress, and start getting over depression. Eventually you will look at things objectively, try to learn from your past, and choose to see things through an optimistic lens. With this approach you can open new doors to exciting things which once bored you, and shut old doors that once made you feel trapt. This one simple thing can really change one's life. I'm happy to say that I actually feel like I'm finding my way now. 😌 One other huge thing that I overlooked which is really helping as well is forming a reading habit! Instead of being passive all the time by watching tv or playing videogames, set aside a bit more time each day to actively engage your brain by reading and/or trying to learn new skills!
Yeah having opinions on matter outside of your core purposes can cause stress because often we have negative opinions. And such thinking creates negative feelings or attitudes.