MEDITACIONES (KOAN)

Considered one of the most influential works of ancient philosophy, Meditations has endured through the centuries as a living testament to the possibility of maintaining calm, clarity, and humanity even in the most uncertain times. Throughout history—as in every individual life—periods of calm alternate with times of uncertainty and turmoil. Marcus Aurelius lived in the latter: wars at the borders, epidemics, political instability. The philosopher emperor, the most powerful man of his time, wrote to remind himself how to live when the noise of the world threatened to drown out everything else. Though centuries have passed and the settings have changed, Meditations remains strikingly relevant, its transformative power intact: serenity does not come from fleeing reality, but from facing it with lucidity and strength. More than a philosophical treatise, this intimate dialogue—woven from brief notes and reflections—offers an art of living. It provides no shortcuts or formulas, but a daily practice that cultivates clarity, resilience, and compassion. This new translation combines fidelity to Stoic thought with a clear, contemporary style that brings renewed life to one of the most inspiring works of ancient wisdom.