Parker Settecase on Journaling Like Marcus Aurelius (Episode 132)
May 21, 2024
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Parker Settecase, an expert on journaling, discusses various approaches to journaling, self-dialogue, being present, and distinguishing between a diary and a journal, using Marcus Aurelius as an example. He emphasizes the importance of creation over consumption and shares insights on nature logs and the value of self-reflection for personal growth.
Diaries focus on recording daily events and emotions, while journals synthesize ideas and thoughts separately from daily occurrences.
Keeping a diary aids in self-exploration and recognition of emotional patterns, fostering non-judgmental reflection.
Journals serve as spaces for exploring ideas, connecting thoughts, and fostering self-reflection and intellectual growth.
Deep dives
Differentiating Between Diaries and Journals
Diaries are time-bound collections of emotions and experiences that provide a log of daily events and feelings. They offer a non-judgmental descriptive account of what happened and how it made the individual feel. Journals, on the other hand, are focused on synthesizing ideas and thoughts. They are not necessarily time-bound and involve the exploration and interplay of thoughts and concepts, separate from daily occurrences.
The Role of Diaries in Self-Discovery
Diaries serve as a tool for self-exploration and self-recognition. By recording daily emotions and experiences, individuals gain insights into their emotional patterns and behaviors. Keeping a diary helps in identifying areas of self-knowledge that may be lacking and allows for a non-judgmental recording of feelings and reactions.
The Significance of Journals in Idea Synthesis
Journals play a crucial role in synthesizing ideas and concepts. They are spaces where individuals can explore and connect thoughts, analyze different perspectives, and formulates new insights. Journals focus on the articulation of ideas, informed by personal experiences and circumstances, contributing to self-reflection and intellectual growth.
The Purpose of Compendiums and Commonplace Books
Compendiums are systematic collections of information or ideas that provide a comprehensive overview of a particular topic. They may focus on abstracting and organizing data in a structured manner, similar to a handbook. Commonplace books, on the other hand, are compilations of quotes and excerpts from various sources. They serve as repositories of wisdom, insights, and notable passages that resonate with the individual.
Different Types of Commonplace Books
The podcast discusses various types of commonplace books, such as general, topic-specific, and manuscript versions. General commonplace books include quotes from various sources, whereas topic-specific ones focus on a specific theme like philosophy of mind. On the other hand, manuscript commonplace books involve writing out quotes and adding personal thoughts, resembling a journal more than a simple compilation of quotes.
Balancing Gathering Information and Self-Reflection
The episode emphasizes the importance of balancing information gathering and self-reflection in practices like keeping a commonplace book or a nature log. While gathering quotes and insights from others is valuable, engaging in self-reflection through activities like journaling helps internalize wisdom. It's suggested that a blend of absorbing external knowledge and generating personal insights leads to a deeper understanding and integration of wisdom into daily life.
Do you want to learn how to Journal like Marcus Aurelius?
Parker Settecase explains different approaches to journaling, writing, and recording your thoughts. He and Michael take a deep dive into how and why to think about journaling.
Use these strategies to organize your thinking, and be the best version of yourself.