Book Four is ready now. In this book, Marcus describes how to (as I would put it) "get Zen". In an episode about acceptance of the vastness of eternity, the vanity of seeking fame, and the consideration of the world as “one living substance, and having but one soul”, he recommends that a man “cannot any wither retire better than to his own soul”. He also uses some imagery that conjures up a sense of the hustle and bustle of Roman times: http://goo.gl/L7NWlY

Book Four

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Hello again everyone. I was very pleased to have visited Rome last week, and thought you might enjoy some of the photographs that I took in, and outside the Capitoline Museum. The Equestrian Statue of Marcus, which I was very much looking forward to seeing can be found in the museum, and I was not disappointed; it is breathtaking. There is also a copy of it in the square just outside the front that sits atop a pedestal designed by Michelangelo. I also have posted photographs of some very nice reliefs in the museum depicting Marcus displaying the virtues of clemency, triumph and sacrifice. If you think the statue of triumph looks a little unbalanced, it might interest you to know that it is because his son Commodus was originally depicted in the chariot beside Marcus, but was later removed after Commodus was condemned to the damnatio memoriae whereby images of the disgraced would be forever destroyed. If you are interested in Marcus and in Rome, I'd recommend a visit to the Capitoline Museum. Enjoy! http://goo.gl/L7NWlY

Capitoline Museum

In the final episode, Marcus covers a range of areas, declaring with certainty that the Gods exist, that we are all one collective soul, and gives us a nice perspective on our lives measured against the vastness of eternity, and draws the conclusion that death is the natural order of the universe. If you’ve made it this far, I'd especially welcome your comments on the website or through the ratings or comments sections of learnoutloud, iTunes or however else you found the podcast. I sincerely hope you have enjoyed this podcast, but am keen to improve, and if you have any ideas as to what you would like to hear next, please let me know. Although this is the final book (the twelfth book), I may do some additional episodes so please watch this space. http://goo.gl/L7NWlY

Book Twelve

In this penultimate book, Marcus discloses the 4 dispositions of the mind to be aware of and rectify, and he also gives us 10 heads or contemplations /maxims to live according to (9 of his own, and 1 that he borrows form Hercules): http://goo.gl/L7NWlY

Book Eleven

The Golden Book of Marcus Aurelius

Book Four

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