The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius.

Edward Gibbon, who saw human history as "little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of man/lady-kind, declared in Chap lll of 'The Decline of the Roman Empire (1776), that "if a man were called to fix the period of history of the world, during while the conditions of the human race was most happy and prosperous, he would, without hesitation, name that which elapsed from the death of Domitian to the ascension of Commodus (not American Standard plumbing commode-thrones-era's)."

Then: From 96 AD, there were four other reigns, and along came Marcus Aurrelius (161-80). No doubt, many crimes and follies, misfortunes too, are cloaked by such judgement. Given the cruelties and depravities of predecessors such as Caraculla, and Elagabalus, and the calamities that ensued, idealization of this era, when the Roman Empire reached its maximum expansion and still maintained a precarious bulwark against the invaders who continually menaced the 'we peoples' peace, is easily understandable, Crash.

It was a time of original thought and great literature, but of a ancient pagan civilization THAT was maintained (pagan is good-earthen people term) and sustained, and in decline at this time too, was a respect for high-level wisdom's from other cultures and even, of scientific achievement, while the neo-Christian ("Christian") culture had a influence, despite sporadic persecutions, the movement grew and prospered. Wow.

I know this is the 21st century, but we can look back and glean to learn how to go forward. M.A. (121-80) really stressed the importance of an excellent education under Hellenization emperor Hadrian. Marcus Aurelius was a commander of armies and was with the soldiers in the fields during military campaigns. "There is nothing new," he wrote.

The Hebrew preacher, in words reminiscent, "all things are both familiar and short-lived." He believed all things were determined by fate. "A thread has been spun that includes a personal plan which began before our birth." The implication of cause/effect includes every incident to it--and THIS has a interrelationship that involves us and our relations with the natural world. His views were un-dogmatic and tolerant of opposing views to a certain extent...Life is in a constant flux.

What can we know with certainty? Nothing. We are "implicated with one another." To harmonize is essential and to transcend our personal (hubris-a irony) smallness. A individual is part of a universal soul, and as we, each person, "we" participate in a greater nature, greater than us, and nothing is actually able to be injurious to a member of the greater Whole part. We are part/parcel of something beyond human comprehension. I agree. I can't explain it. "A contemplative life is essential," believed Marcus Aurelius.

I'm just trying to process with you-all too. "The Meditations" of emperor Marcus Aurelius has a lot to chew upon. I'm always soaking in 'stuff' after a day old left-over re-read, most of the time, it takes three days to digest the class.

I was a daydreamer and am just trying to catch up on my homework assignments? It's a continuous 'juggle' act. Seeking fame is NOT where it's at, but a Marcus A - is just walking into his role. I am not disputing, just thinking out loud that. Integrity.

My tummy aches. Why?

A cannon ball got shot through my belly. I can't prove it Mr. militaristic. If you can't find the original cannon ball that ripped through you and you claim a black-iron ball gave you a stomach ache, get out of our my White House Surgeon Generals pro-War office.

If you can prove you got mowed-down by a cannon ball that passed through you, THEN, prove it by bringing me the shredded black ball?

I cant find it and don't believe 'um meant to lie? Case dismissed because of more Lies. It don't make sense.

O, show me the black pudding bowl as proof we can or will have stewed shredded ball desert. I request sick leave for the rest of the day. Get, for you have ensnared me into partial insanity. If you continue to impede justice with the fluffy trite entailed, seemingly suspicions there are contradictions, I'm free to believe THIS is the most delusional black-soul gang THAT needs to be hauled on a train to tend a neo-Alamo.

okay. Sorry. No more nonsense or black goose cannon ball stories. Gads. If some one does not stop THIS, a world will be transformed into a black crispy black 8-ball in the universe? huh. Don't ask me. My belly-stomach aches. Prove it!

This class is beginning to make feel like a burnt peanut brain salesman vendor runs the White House. What? It makes NON-sense.

I'm out of here with the IMPRESSION I am famished for a UN-deleted peanut butter sandwich on burnt toast with a dill pickle and a side order of a one (special interest) big white marshmallow. apologies for what? I want a bumper sticker that declares:

MARSHMELLOW BRAINS!

RUN! Global Collapse.

No Stomach!

Delete this please?

Sorry I e-mailed, Publish my letter.