Meditations

A series of short chapters open Book 6. On the nature of the Whole, Marcus reminds himself that all that is begins and ends as the Whole’s reason guides it, that nothing should matter to him other than doing his duty. He should not allow anything worthy to pass unnoticed. Everything changes. He exhorts himself to find comfort in moving “from social act to social act, your mind on god” (46).

Marcus reminds himself to return to philosophy as a man to his mother, to be comforted and made to feel that life can be endured. If he becomes distressed, he must return to his self-directed rhythms as soon as possible. When he feels pain from labor, he must recognize this pain as being in harmony with nature. When he is presented with pleasurable experiences, he must strip them down to their essentials, to “strip away their own boastful account of themselves” (48). A man who values the “rational and political” nature of the soul keeps that soul "in a constant state of rational and social activity” (48). To value or attempt to acquire anything other than being in harmony with others and the gods and living up to his standards will drag him into behaviors like envy and intrigue.