Either all things spring from one intelligent source and form a single body (and the part should accept the actions of the whole) or there are only atoms, joining and splitting forever, and nothing else.
So why feel anxiety?
Say to your mind: Are you dead? Damaged? Brutal? Dishonest?
Are you one of the herd? Or grazing like one?
Meditations 9.39
Today’s meditation
The underlying Stoic issue here is anxiety and the search for a tranquil life. In Meditations 9.39, Marcus Aurelius presents a fundamental choice: either the universe is governed by reason and we are part of a larger whole, or it is mere chance and randomness. He then asks, "So why feel anxiety?" This question cuts to the heart of the matter, suggesting that anxiety arises from our resistance to the natural order of things.
The passage reveals that living well involves accepting the actions of the whole, whether that whole is a rational universe or the unpredictable dance of atoms. It invites us to consider our place within the larger scheme and to let go of unnecessary distress. As Marcus Aurelius asks, "Are you dead? Damaged? Brutal? Dishonest?" - implying that if we are none of these things, then we have the capacity to choose our response to life's events.
To apply this insight today, one might reflect on the sources of their anxiety and consider whether these concerns are within their control. If not, they might ask themselves, as Marcus Aurelius suggests, if they are truly harmed by the situation. This simple yet profound inquiry can help to clarify what is truly at stake and what can be let go of. By embracing the present moment and accepting the natural order of things, we can cultivate a sense of inner peace and live more in harmony with the world around us.
As you go about your day, you might ask yourself: What is the one thing that is causing me unnecessary anxiety, and how can I release my grip on it, trusting that the universe will unfold as it should?