STOICISM + TOAISM
MEDITATION CHALLENGE
Sept 1-30
From 161-180 AD Marcus Aurelius served as emperor of Rome. The stoic “Philosopher King” was the last of Rome’s rulers known as The Five Good Emperors and the last emperor of the Pax Romana, a golden era of relative peace for the empire.
What was remarkable about Aurelius was his commitment to goodness. His questioning of what was good, right, and true emerged from an understanding that the way we conduct ourselves both through deed and thought holds great significance to the prosperity of that for which we are responsible; this including ourselves.
Simply, he was a powerful man who did his best to remain uncorrupted for the sake of himself and those who relied on him.
What is more dignified than a person trying to be good?
He left behind a catalog of insights known as “The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius”. Essentially, it was a diary of wisdom, observations, and epiphanies meant only for himself as a trail to keep him on the right path as imperator (emperor in Latin).
… and Toaism?
The Tao has to be experienced to know. The Tao Te Ching is a book written in accordance with the Tao. Its opening line reveals its futility, since the Tao cannot be read about… only experienced. “The Tao that can be named is not the eternal Tao.”
We’ll flow between two seemingly contrary forms of thought and find, in the spirit of meditation, how, in fact, they are compatible and lead to the same brilliant point.
HOW DOES AN ONLINE MEDITATION CHALLENGE WORK?
Meditation is a practice. What that means is, the clarity of mind that meditation promises is predictable. Just sit regularly and well. The rest will happen as life, in so many ways, just happens.
FIND A CORNER IN YOUR HOME
Meditation is a uniquely accessible habit. All you need is your body, a chair or a cushion, and some time to both think and not-think.
TUNE INTO THE DAILY VIDEO LESSON
Every day I will host a live class via zoom at
6:00-6:45 AM PST
*Every Saturday sessions are 1 hour long from 6:00-7:00 am PST
If you can’t attend the class live, I’ll send a daily youtube link to all the registered participants so they can complete the practice later.
BUILD THE HABIT
Like so many things in life, for the potential of meditation to develop it has to become a regular part of life.
This challenge, the commemoration pins, and group momentum/accountability are excellent ways to get through the “integration” phase, where the hobby becomes a habit.
CALENDAR & THEMES
LESSON PLAN:
Aurelius, Taoism, and Quality
Presence
Gratitude
Cycles, History, and Predictability
Obstacles, Adversity, and Nature
Interpretation and Thought
Perception, Judgment, and Truth
Character, Virtue, and Intention
Freedom, Openness, and Oneness
Destiny and Death
Duty
“And your profession? Goodness.”
”Teach yourself to desire only to act virtuously and do not let others hold you back.”
”Whatever time you choose is the right time. Not late. Not early.”
