BROADCASTS.com

\nThe education most of us have had taught us how to know the answer, how to be right, and how to move quickly to solve problems. But, by and large, it didn't tell us much about how to be true to the one life we have, nor what kinds of practices of creativity, inquiry and attention might support us in that project.\xa0
\n
\nThis episode of Turning Towards Life is a conversation about how we might start to dignify and honour the unique possibilities of our own lives, guided by the wisdom of Marcus Aurelius, and hosted as always by Lizzie Winn and Justin Wise of Thirdspace.
\n
\nThis is Turning Towards Life, a weekly live 30 minute conversation hosted by Thirdspace in which Justin Wise and Lizzie Winn dive deep into big questions of human living. Find us on FaceBook to watch live and join in the lively conversation on this episode. You can find videos of every episode, and more about the project on the Turning Towards Life website, and you can also watch and listen on Instagram, YouTube, and as a podcast on Apple, Google and Spotify.
\n
\n\n\nOur source this week is chosen for us by Justin.
\n
\nWhat is it in ourselves that we should prize?\n\nNot just transpiration (even plants do that).\nOr respiration (even beasts and wild animals breathe.)\nOr being struck by passing thoughts.\nOr jerked like a puppet by your own impulses.\nOr moving in herds.\nOr eating, and relieving yourself afterwards.\nThen what is to be prized?
\n
\n\n\nAn audience clapping? No. No more than the clacking of their tongues. Which is all that public praise amounts to - a clacking of tongues.
\n
\n\n\nSo we throw out other people's recognition. What's left for us to prize?
\n
\n\n\nI think it's this: to do (and not do) what we were designed for. That's the goal of all trades, all arts, and what each of them aims at: that the thing they create should do what it was designed to do. The nurseryman who cares for the vines, the horse trainer, the dog breeder - this is what they aim at. And teaching and education - what else are they trying to accomplish?
\n
\n\n\nSo that's what we should prize. Hold onto that, and you won't be tempted to aim at anything else.
\n
\n\n\nAnd if you can't stop prizing a lot of other things? Then you'll never be free - free, independent, imperturbable. Because you'll always be envious and jealous, afraid that people might come and take it all away from you. Plotting against those who have them - those things you prize. People who need those things are bound to be a mess - and bound to take out their frustration on the gods. Whereas to respect your own mind - to prize it - will leave you satisfied with your own self, well integrated into your community and in tune with the gods as well - embracing what they allot you, and what they ordain.
\n
\n\n\n\nMarcus Aurelius (121-180), from 'Meditations'
\n
\nPhoto by Bench Accounting on Unsplash