Simple Stoic Advice
Like a Rock
Like a Rock
The beautiful thing about Stoic philosophy is the advice contained within it is just as applicable today as it was when it was first written all those many years ago. We can learn a great deal from interpreting the advice provided and using it to our advantage as we go throughout our own lives.
Today’s quote comes to us courtesy of Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 4.49:
Quote
“To be like the rock that the waves keep crashing over. It stands unmoved and the raging of the sea falls still around it.”
Advice
If you take the Meditations as a mental exercise book, then you begin to understand Marcus’ words a bit better. Here, he attempts to strength his resilience in the face of adversity by creating a mental image which represents the strength he wishes to possess in ever changing circumstances.
As an Emperor, Marcus was always being pulled in different directions to things that required his attention. With that came undoubtedly the increased stress and emotional reactions to the things which required him. He is known to have had a bit of a temper so this practice of visualizing the rock helped him to tamper his emotions and remind himself to be calm in the face of adversity, that like the wave, it too will pass, and pass unharmed if you remain the stable rock.
When events arise, we want to react with a cool and tranquil mind, not one which is reactionary due to emotional instability.
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