It exactly sounds like the above mentioned title.Just like us humans, still can’t separate brain and body. There was also someone, who suffered a similar predicament and yet tried to achieve salvation, living in a enslavement of his own palace.We certainly know about the rising and falling of nations, the sacrifice of martyrs and the taste of freedom.Yet, how did we miss an individual who achieved mental, physical and spiritual knowing, When most gave away to the top-most lobe. Don’t take me wrong! I don’t intend to sound like this bloke served something for his respective world and was a famous folk at the late 100’s.Well, there is the irony in this.He has achieved a lot and more than you and me.Still, he is just remembered as a mere shadow. He was the one who actually brought into nature the concept of Meditations. Though, many of you out there will disregard this and try to tangle yourselves in an argument.However, I should tell you, how a simple emperor of a suffering Rome brings together a set of philosophies.That ranges far too deep, more than yours or my experience.He goes by the resounding name of’Marcus Aurelius Antoninus’ and thus, starts my review on his book, a self-assessing, mind-keeping, present soother of an inflicted vessel-known as the’Meditations’. His scribbles to rehash and live in the moment and never bend to time.
Well, I was going through the internet once.When I came by this book, though it astonished me on the first gaze I landed upon it.It was not because of the’price’ or its utter rank reviewing. It was because the cover of the book was smirked with dust and many users said, "Its such a sad thing to see, no one really interested in the meditations". Just like all of your reactions, which I assume would have been a shocker.I too displayed the same emotions.Hence, i hurled my phone and whirred a dial to my friend and asked exactly why is the people not interested in the book, when the reviews are pretty good.So, he exclaimed the book was dripped in prose’s of archaic substantiation.With the sound of that, I was not surprised and also got a recommendation from my bud.Who told me about the new Penguin edition, which eased the writing somewhat.Thus, started the journey to the life of’Marcus Aurelius’.
Ruling for the years from 161 to 180 AD, under the influence of his step-father Lucius Verus.
Marcus learned the toils and hardship to raise a political and tyrant infested country.He was taught all the virtues required to become a person he later became, after being adopted by Hadrian, who was also an emperor once.This book broaches on his advent on Avidius Cassius and his conflict resolving maneuvers against Quadi and Macromanni.Marcus also preaches himself in this book about how he should let go his avid addiction towards books and that he should concentrate on the work before.He ponders over the persons, who influenced his life and assisted it all the way, shows gratitude on Maximus(the greatest and the largest) and thinks about the downfall of his son Lucius Commodus.
The book is very well translated by Martin Hammond, it is really presented as a classic by Penguin.The book consists of a series of sub-books, comprising of total 12 sets.Each set has the quotations used by Marcus, when he took a seat and dripped his feather in the pot of ink.Some frequent quotations as used by the maestro himself are-
"In some part of the book Marcus is asked how can he believe in god, when he can’t see god.To this Marcus replied, So does my soul remain unseen, yet I still revere it".
"In another part of the book, Marcus tells himself to become a rock on the sandy shores, and let the waves shatter against him.While he lies still".
Such is the perception of the great man, composed of just 150 odd pages.This is a dilemma which you might take to heal your inflicted mind.I assure you, this will heal you from all sorts of resentments.