Dr. John Vervaeke Ep. 15 - Awakening from the Meaning Crisis - Marcus Aurelius and Jesus
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Apr 3, 2023 
Marcus Aurelius, the insightful Roman emperor and philosopher, and Jesus, the revered figure in Christianity, dive deep into the cultural anxieties of the Hellenistic era. They explore the therapeutic role of philosophy in confronting mortality and the importance of personal agency in interpreting life's events. Discussions hint at the philosophical implications of death on identity and emphasize love's transformative power through encounters with Jesus, revealing how ancient wisdom can address modern existential crises.
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Meaning vs. Events
- The Stoics believed that we confuse meaning with events, leading to existential confusion.
- We try controlling events to change meaning, but often have less control than we think.
Decoupling Meaning and Events
- Separate the meaning of events from the events themselves.
- Recalibrate your sense of control and identity.
Stoic Practices
- Practice Prosoché (attention to attention) and Procheiron (mindful remembering).
- Distinguish between the meaning of an experience and the experience itself.