Embrace Death Thoughts: Marcus Aurelius' 'Second Arrow' Philosophy Popularized by Dr. Laurie Santos
Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor and philosopher, suggested a powerful technique to guide our actions and thoughts. He advised contemplating the thought of death to help us navigate life's challenges. This concept, also echoed in Buddhist teachings, is known as the 'second arrow' and is now popularised by happiness expert Dr. Laurie Santos.
Marcus Aurelius believed that harm from events doesn't come from the events themselves, but from our reactions to them. This idea is beautifully illustrated in the Buddhist teaching of the 'second arrow'. The first arrow represents the inevitable pain or difficulty we experience, while the second arrow is the suffering we inflict upon ourselves through negative thoughts or emotions in response to that pain.
Dr. Laurie Santos, a renowned psychologist, uses this concept to explain how much of our suffering is self-inflicted and how awareness can help reduce it. She wears a memento mori ring, a reminder of the inevitability of death, to keep this perspective in mind. The ring serves as a daily reminder that life is unpredictable and we have limited control over events, encouraging us to choose our responses wisely.
Our platform Store offers a complete memento mori collection, allowing users to embrace this philosophy and find solace in the face of life's challenges.
By contemplating the thought of death and embracing the concept of the 'second arrow', we can learn to respond more mindfully to life's challenges. Dr. Laurie Santos' daily use of the memento mori ring serves as a testament to the power of this philosophy. Our platform Store provides the tools to incorporate this wisdom into our daily lives, helping us navigate life's unpredictability with greater resilience and wisdom.
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