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EXERCISEDiscipline of desire

The view from above

§ IDescription

A spiritual exercise in which consciousness mentally rises above the terrestrial scene and contemplates human affairs from a cosmic height. The aim is to relativise the passions, to make out the smallness of an individual life against the whole, and at the same time to feel one's own belonging to that whole (cosmopolitanism).

§ IITechnique

An imagined ascent: look down on cities, armies, festivals, and funerals as on an anthill; then on the succession of epochs, seeing the sameness of human life across all times; finally on oneself as one of the participants in the spectacle. The exercise is symmetrical with the "withdrawal into oneself" (hegemonikon): what is within and what is above disclose the same truth about proportion.

EXERCISEDiscipline of desire

The view from above

Appears in24

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§ IDescription § IITechnique

§ IDescription

A spiritual exercise in which consciousness mentally rises above the terrestrial scene and contemplates human affairs from a cosmic height. The aim is to relativise the passions, to make out the smallness of an individual life against the whole, and at the same time to feel one's own belonging to that whole (cosmopolitanism).

§ IITechnique

An imagined ascent: look down on cities, armies, festivals, and funerals as on an anthill; then on the succession of epochs, seeing the sameness of human life across all times; finally on oneself as one of the participants in the spectacle. The exercise is symmetrical with the "withdrawal into oneself" (hegemonikon): what is within and what is above disclose the same truth about proportion.

Appears in24

3.10Throwing away then all things, hold to these only which are few; and besides bear in mind that every man lives only this present time, which is an indivisible p…3.11To the aids which have been mentioned let this one still be added:- Make for thyself a definition or description of the thing which is presented to thee, so as …4.3Men seek retreats for themselves, houses in the country, sea-shores, and mountains; and thou too art wont to desire such things very much. But this is altogethe…4.6It is natural that these things should be done by such persons, it is a matter of necessity; and if a man will not have it so, he will not allow the fig-tree to…4.19He who has a vehement desire for posthumous fame does not consider that every one of those who remember him will himself also die very soon; then again also the…4.32Consider, for example, the times of Vespasian. Thou wilt see all these things, people marrying, bringing up children, sick, dying, warring, feasting, trafficki…4.33The words which were formerly familiar are now antiquated: so also the names of those who were famed of old, are now in a manner antiquated, Camillus, Caeso, Vo…4.35Everything is only for a day, both that which remembers and that which is remembered. (Long)4.48Think continually how many physicians are dead after often contracting their eyebrows over the sick; and how many astrologers after predicting with great preten…4.50It is a vulgar, but still a useful help towards contempt of death, to pass in review those who have tenaciously stuck to life. What more then have they gained t…5.23Often think of the rapidity with which things pass by and disappear, both the things which are and the things which are produced. For substance is like a river …5.24Think of the universal substance, of which thou hast a very small portion; and of universal time, of which a short and indivisible interval has been assigned to…6.36Asia, Europe are corners of the universe: all the sea a drop in the universe; Athos a little clod of the universe: all the present time is a point in eternity. …7.3The idle business of show, plays on the stage, flocks of sheep, herds, exercises with spears, a bone cast to little dogs, a bit of bread into fish-ponds, labour…7.6How many after being celebrated by fame have been given up to oblivion; and how many who have celebrated the fame of others have long been dead. (Long)7.35From Plato: The man who has an elevated mind and takes a view of all time and of all substance, dost thou suppose it possible for him to think that human life i…7.47Look round at the courses of the stars, as if thou wert going along with them; and constantly consider the changes of the elements into one another, for such th…7.48This is a fine saying of Plato: That he who is discoursing about men should look also at earthly things as if he viewed them from some higher place; should look…7.49Consider the past,—such great changes of political supremacies; thou mayest foresee also the things which will be. For they will certainly be of like form, and …8.21Turn it (the body) inside out, and see what kind of thing it is; and when it has grown old, what kind of thing it becomes, and when it is diseased. Short-lived…8.44See that thou secure this present time to thyself: for those who rather pursue posthumous fame do not consider that the men of after time will be exactly such a…9.24Quarrels of little children and their sports, and «poor spirits carrying about dead bodies», such is everything; and so what is exhibited in the representation …9.30Look down from above on the countless herds of men and their countless solemnities, and the infinitely varied voyagings in storms and calms, and the differences…9.32Thou canst remove out of the way many useless things among those which disturb thee, for they lie entirely in thy opinion; and thou wilt then gain for thyself a…