January 20

Day 20/365: Marcus Aurelius on inner retreats

Author

Logan
January 20, 2025

Welcome to The Stoic Ledger, a daily money meditation from one of the Stoic sages.

20/365: Marcus Aurelius on inner retreats

“People look for retreats for themselves, in the country, by the coast, or in the hills; and you too are especially inclined to feel this desire. But this is altogether unphilosophical, when it is possible for you to retreat into yourself at any time you want. There is nowhere that a person can find a more peaceful and trouble-free retreat than in his own mind, especially if he has within himself the kind of thoughts that let him dip into them and so at once gain complete ease of mind; and by ease of mind, I mean nothing but having one’s own mind in good order. ” – Marcus Aurelius

True peace and fulfillment come from within, rather than from external circumstances. 

Wealth often tempts us into thinking happiness comes through material acquisitions—luxurious vacations, grand homes, or possessions—believing these will bring contentment. 

However, without cultivating our inner retreats, no amount of external wealth can provide sustained peace; the mind remains restless in its search for more, viewing the next new place as the fountain of happiness. Marcus is imploring us to see that we don’t need to go anywhere at all, that the best retreat we could ever go on exists in ourselves, right now.

Profound contentment, regardless of material circumstances, is available now.

What retreat exists within you?

How might you cultivate this inner peace?

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