The question to, how we as a society, can live and thrive together, has been answered. Ancient societies have struggled with, debated, and developed very similar conclusions to the behaviors that make us happy AND successful as a species. This blog will, hopefully, give insight into the writings and ideas of those ancient societies; that, if only we remembered, we might find that path that, others have found, and make our lives a little happier and more fulfilling.
The Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, in his Meditations, wrote: “From my grandfather, Verus I learned to relish the beauty of manners, and to restrain all anger. From the fame and character my father obtain’d, modesty, and a manly deportment. Of my mother; I learned to be religious, and liberal; and to guard, not only against evil actions, but even against any evil intention’s entering my thoughts; to content myself with a spare diet, far different from the softness and luxury so common among the wealthy.” Marcus Aurelius is the most famous of the Stoic Philosophers, and a member of the elite class, and still, in his time, (2000 years ago) our species’ had realized the positive behaviors of our living a happy and fulfilling existence.
At the same time a very similar message of modesty, charity, and self control, was being spread by the new Jewish religious movement known as the Christians. In the far east, the teachings of Buddha, had been advising the very same virtues for centuries. The followers of Confucius were hearing and learning the very same virtues/behaviors. These ideas were universal and wide spread. Hinduism, has Karma, and the belief that your present actions determine your future place in your life. The lessons have been taught and learned for centuries, and we only need to remember
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