Marcus Aurelius was a Roman Emperor, known as one of the last great Stoic philosophers. He ruled during difficult times, facing wars and plague.

But he left behind a unique set of personal notes. We know them today as Meditations. These weren't written for us, but for himself. They offer a glimpse into how a powerful leader used writing to think clearly, find his purpose, and live well.

Life wasn't easy for Marcus. He led armies, dealt with political plots, and saw widespread disease. To cope, he turned to Stoic philosophy.

Stoicism taught him to focus on what he could control. As he noted, "You have power over your mind - not outside events." He learned to accept what he couldn't change.

He believed in living by reason and doing his duty. For Marcus, understanding his role and living according to nature was key – a way to "find his why" in the Stoic sense: serving the common good as his nature required.

The ancient Stoics used a special kind of notebook called hypomnemata. These weren't just diaries for feelings.
Just like Seneca used to craft his thoughts and ideas. For further reading on Seneca, you may check out here: Seneca: Using the Mind as an Inner Toolkit.

They were working notebooks, what scholar Pierre Hadot calls tools for "spiritual exercises." Thinkers used them to collect important ideas, quotes, and their own reflections. The goal was to look "within" and actively engage with these thoughts.

By writing and rereading, they aimed to make philosophical principles part of their character. It was a way to shape oneself, finding the "answers within" through structured thought, not just hoping for external guidance.

Marcus Aurelius's Meditations is a perfect example of hypomnemata. The notes are short, deeply personal, and reveal his internal world.

He wrote them during military campaigns and busy days. He reminded himself of Stoic principles, asking himself:

‍
"Look within. Within is the foundation of good, and it will ever bubble up, if you will ever dig." - Marcus Aurelius
‍

He examined his reactions and prepared for challenges. This wasn't about escaping his thoughts, Instead, Marcus knew he had to *get into his mind* first – using reason and reflection – to guide his life and actions effectively.

The challenges Marcus faced were immense. His practice of structured internal reflection helped him navigate them.

This need to process our thoughts, gain perspective, and refine our ideas hasn't changed. True clarity often comes from dedicating time to work with the material already "within" us.

Today, we can use modern tools inspired by these ancient practices.
Apps like Within offer a private space to capture and organize your thoughts, much like Marcus did.

Within helps you see patterns and connect ideas. It provides digests to offer perspective. It’s a way for the modern thinker to engage in the kind of structured reflection that helped Marcus Aurelius lead and live with purpose, finding their own answers within.

Sources

*   Aurelius, Marcus. *Meditations*. (Specific quotes referenced via secondary sources like WisdomQuotes.com and ArtOfManliness.com).

*   Hadot, Pierre. *The Inner Citadel: The Meditations of Marcus Aurelius*. Translated by Michael Chase. Harvard University Press, 1998. (As discussed in Kamtekar, Rachana. Review of *The Inner Citadel*. Bryn Mawr Classical Review 1998.11.35. URL: https://bmcr.brynmawr.edu/1998/1998.11.35/)

‍