Meditations (by Marcus Aurelius)
I was introduced to Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations through fellow readers sharing their weekend reads on the Goodreads social media thread. Several factors piqued my interest in this book: the title suggested insightful content, I have a penchant for reading classics, and Marcus Aurelius held a positive reputation. Discovering that Meditations was available for borrowing through Amazon’s Prime Reading Program, I decided to give it a try.
Upon reading various descriptions of the book, I learned that it comprises a collection of personal reflections written during Marcus Aurelius’ reign in the 2nd century. These private notes, never intended for publication, offer intimate glimpses into his philosophical journey, drawing heavily from Stoic principles. The book explores profound themes such as self-discipline, resilience, virtue, mortality, and the significance of living in harmony with nature and reason.
I embarked on my reading journey with Meditations on my Kindle, primarily used for bedtime reading. As I delved into the introduction, I relied on my knowledge of Marcus Aurelius gleaned from the movie ‘Gladiator’ to gain perspective and context. However, the introduction proved challenging to comprehend, as it frequently induced sleepiness due to my lack of engagement with the material.
Fortunately, the Prime Reading Program allowed me to switch between my Kindle and the Audible audiobook version. Despite Braden Wright’s commendable narration, I noticed my attention wavering with the audiobook as well. I reverted to reading on my Kindle, but continued to struggle with staying awake. Typically, reading at bedtime is a relaxing and calming experience for me. Occasionally, I find myself staying up late engrossed in a good story.
After reading 25% of Meditations, I decided to bail on it because I’m not enjoying it. The translation uses language that’s relevant to the time period, but it’s incredibly challenging to maintain my focus. I simply don’t comprehend the text, and as a result, I’m not deriving any value from it. Perhaps this translation isn’t suitable for me, and perhaps another time in my life will be more appropriate. For now, I’m not having a pleasant experience with this book, and that’s the deciding factor that tells me it’s time to move on.
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