Modern Marcus: The Tenth Book

‘Stop all that bleating on about what a good person should be. Be it.’

1. When oh when?

I sometimes wonder if I’ll ever get it.

Will my mind ever become truly good, sincere, transparent and honest with the world around me?

Will I ever be as loving and kind as I want to be?

Will I give up on wanting more, more, more and just be satisfied with what I’ve got?

Will I give up on hoping that someone will simply look after me and pander to my needs?

And will I stop trying to prolong my life, wishing for another year, another day, another hour?

When will I finally be happy with things how they are and understand that this is all just how it is and that that’s OK? It’s the way of the universe — good, fair and beautiful.

It’s the universe that gives us all life and to which we return after death (where our atoms become something else again).

Will I ever deserve to find my place in all this without complaining and moaning about my fate?

2. Do what you do

Look inside. Pay attention to what your true self is telling you to do.

Do it.

Be OK with this (as long as it’ll do you no physical harm of course).

But also listen to your body. Do what it needs (as long as it won’t harm your mind or those around you).

Follow these rules without worrying about all the other stuff.

3. Carry on carrying on

Whatever happens, you’re either ready or you’re not.

If it’s something crappy that you can cope with, don’t resent it, just use what you have to get through to the other side. If it goes beyond what you’re capable of, still refuse to resent it — don’t let it win.

And don’t forget, you can endure anything your mind has decided is endurable by simply viewing the act of endurance as being good for you.

4. Who’s to blame?

If someone gets something wrong, take time to gently show them their mistake and how they can correct it.

If you don’t manage to persuade them, you have two choices — either blame yourself or blame no one.

5. Meant to be?

Whatever happens is just the end of a series of causes and effects that go back to the beginning of time. Your small thread in this tapestry was always going to lead to this moment.

6. A part of the whole

Regardless whether the universe is a random jumble of atoms or some kind of ordered system, I know I’m a part of the wider whole and must follow its rules.

As such, I’m related to everything and everyone else around me. As a part of the universe, then, I’m not going to bitch about anything it sends my way since anything that’s good for the whole is good for me.

It’s like a body, except that, as far as I know, there’s nothing outside the universe that can make it do anything that would harm it.

So, I might as well be relaxed about what comes my way. And because I’m related to all the other parts, I’m not about to do anything which will cause them harm — quite the opposite in fact.

If I keep all this in mind, my life will run smoothly — just like it will for anyone who looks out for others and is ready to do what’s needed.

7. Are these your atoms?

Everything in the universe will ultimately decay and change form.

If this was some kind of essential evil, the universe simply wouldn’t work. Everything is decaying all the time and the natural world is not pre-programmed to harm itself — it wouldn’t survive if that was the case.

Even if this process is not part of some intricate system and is, instead, purely random, it’s nothing to get stressed about. It’s not unnatural or some kind of plot against us.

Ultimately, our atoms will be recycled to become other things. You’ve already gone through these kinds of changes in your life, taking in atoms from food, transforming them into energy, transforming that into muscle, etc.

You weren’t born with all these atoms, and even if you’ve still got some from back then hanging about, it doesn’t undermine the general argument.

8. You do your thing

If you talk about yourself as good, humble, truthful, clear-headed, accepting, rational and all the rest of it, make sure you don’t contradict this in real life. And if you do stumble, fix it quick.

Remember, being clear-headed is about paying attention to the details, watching what’s really going on. And acceptance means rolling with whatever comes your way, not getting bent out of shape about the coulda, woulda, shoulda.

Being rational is about putting the mind above the body and emotions — above ambition, fear and death. Live up to your claims (though without becoming desperate for others to echo those same claims) and you’ll become a different person with a different life.

To carry on being torn and harassed by life is just stupid and cowardly. It’s like the boxer who staggers out of the ring bloody and bruised, just barely conscious, but who still pleads, ‘Just one more fight,’ only to be beaten again the next day.

So jump aboard your little ship of claims, hang on through rough seas and storms if you can. But if you can’t, make for some nearby harbour where you can regroup for a bit.

When you’re trying to keep your strengths front and centre, it can help to remember how the universe works. Trees do tree things. Dogs do dog things. Bees do bee things. And rational humans should do rational human things.

9. Time to step up

Day-in, day-out, all the idiocy, pointless arguments, laziness and brown-nosing will gang up to obliterate your carefully cultivated clear thinking.

So it’s down to you to focus on every single thing, every event, every action and do what needs to be done while ensuring your mind remains focused. In doing so, enjoy the confidence that only someone who’s in control of the details can hope to attain.

Will you ever manage to achieve the peace of mind that comes from true integrity? A peace of mind that stems from looking deeper, understanding what’s inside every creature and where it fits into the greater scheme of things. One that sees what it is, how it’s made and who has power over it.

10. Catch this

Cats love catching birds. Some people love fishing. Others love hunting big game. Still others love ensnaring people.

If you look at them and what they believe, aren’t they all just thieves?

11. Everything changes

Pay attention to the constant change in the universe around you. Teach yourself how and why it happens. There is nothing that’s better at expanding your mind. Because once you realise that you might be gone at any moment, you’ll worry less about your husk of a body and be able to devote yourself to higher aims: truth, fairness, being at one with the world around you.

You’ll stop caring what others think or say about you. Only two things will really matter: justice and being OK with whatever fate has in store. You’ll be able to park all the other worries and distractions. Your only ambition will be to live life true to your higher ideals.

12. The direct route

When you know what you have to do, there’s no need to guess. If the path ahead is clear, go for it and don’t turn back.

Of course, if it’s all a bit murky, wait awhile. Get some advice. See if the fog clears.

If other things get in your way, approach with caution, do what you can with what you’ve got. Always err in the direction that seems the fairest to all. Because this is where your destination lies (and it’s also the place where most people fail).

13. Are they worth it?

From the moment you get up, ask yourself, ‘Does it really matter if others criticise my actions when I know I’m correct?’ Of course not.

People who are so quick to praise you or blame you are just the same in the rest of their lives. Think about all the stuff they do, what they chase after or take from others they attack — not just with their hands but with the highest part of their selves, the part that’s the source of fairness, truth, honour and justice.

14. Give and take

To nature — where everything comes from and everything is destined to return — simply say, ‘Give me what you will and take what you want.’

But don’t get all ‘up yourself’ about it. Ask with simple honesty and goodwill.

15. You’re not getting any younger

When you’re getting on and the end is approaching, live your life as if your home was at the top of some rocky mountain.

After all, why does it matter where you live? As long as you see yourself as a part of everything around you. Let others see you as someone living in tune with nature and the wider universe.

If they can’t stand the sight, let them get rid of you. It’s better to die than live like them.

16. Just be it

Stop all that bleating on about what a good person should be. Be it.

17. You are very, very small

Spend time thinking about all eternity. Consider that everything around you is just a speck in the universe and your time here is but the blink of an eye.

18. Born to be dead

Pick up a thing, some random object. Focus on how it is already changing, dissolving and decaying. Everything is born to die.

19. Get over yourself

Eating, sleeping, fucking, shitting — what are people like?

All those attitudes they throw up. All the face-saving, the look-at-me Instagramming. Just minutes ago they were sucking up to others.

Wait a few more minutes and they’ll do it again. What’s the point?

20. Now that’s good

Whatever the universe serves up is for the best (and for the best exactly when it happens).

21. You love, I love

Nature loves making rain and whatever else needs to exist. To nature I say, ‘What you love, so do I.’

Isn’t this the real meaning of ‘love will find a way’?

22. On the move?

You can carry on living here. You can move somewhere else if you like. Or you can die (in which case, don’t worry).

There really are no other choices, so relax.

23. Take it with you

Living how you should will be the same no matter where you are. On top of a mountain. By the sea. Wherever.

Your mind can always be soaking up the sun on a pure, sandy beach (even when your face is in someone’s armpit on public transport).

24. Is your mind working?

What is your reasoning mind?

What are you supposed to do with it right now?

What use are you putting it to?

Is it doing its job?

Are you drifting away from others and failing to make a connection with them?

Is it so focused on your body, your whims and urges that it can’t think about anything else?

25. No time to run away

If you go AWOL from the army, you’re a deserter.

But think of the law as our platoon. If we break it, we too are deserters.

Ultimately, if you get wound up by anger, envy or fear, you’re breaking with something that’s a natural outcome of the universe.

It’s a natural law (and one you’re fleeing from).

26. No big mystery

Some man ejaculates into a woman and leaves. But this starts a chain of events that can create a new life. How amazing.

The same guy throws some food down his throat and it’s transformed into energy and emotion.

Drop your phone, and gravity pulls it to the road.

From the outside, these processes seem mysterious. But just because you can’t see them with your eyes, the results are still clear.

27. You again?

Think about how everything that’s happening around you is just a rerun of the past. Also consider that it’s likely to happen again in future.

Think of all the dramas, large and small, you’ve experienced time and time again (or which are similar to things you’ve seen in history books).

Think of governments — first this party, then that, then back to the other. It’s just the same show with different actors.

28. Oink

When you see someone bitching and complaining, picture them as a pig about to be butchered, squealing and squealing.

Someone who chooses instead to hide under their duvet moping in silence is no better.

A reasonable person will go with the flow and embrace the world without all the drama. All the rest can do is tag along.

29. Is that it?

Whatever you’re doing, stop and ask yourself, ‘Is it the thought that I won’t be able to do this anymore the reason I fear death?’

30. Mirror images

When someone offends you, consider whether you have similar faults. Do you too love money, fame and pleasure too much?

Once you realise they’re only doing what they do because they are driven by these impulses, you’ll be less angry. What else could they have done?

Alternatively, if you can, help them see things another way (you’ll help yourself too).

31. Smoke and dust and patience

When you see one of today’s politicians or celebrities, imagine they are someone similar who’s now long dead. Do the same with yourself — think of a great, great grandparent perhaps. Ask, ‘Where are they now?’

The answer is, nowhere (or at best no one really knows). This will help you see all humanity as simply smoke and dust. And you’ll realise that once something changes, it’s gone for good.

So why get stressed? Why not just live your life as best you can?

Think about all the good you could be doing but aren’t because you’re so focused on all this other crap. In reality, it’s all just a training ground for your mind to teach it the truth about the universe and your place within it.

Be patient. Learn what life has to teach you. It’s like getting used to spicy food or getting a fire hot enough to burn even the largest logs. It takes time.

32. Be true or don’t bother

Don’t let anyone be able to say that you are not honest and fair.

If anyone thinks this, you should be able to say, hand on heart, they’re wrong. Because it’s down to you. Only you can be honest and fair and good and all the rest of it.

If you can’t do this, why go on?

33. The obstacle course

What’s the best you can say or do with what you have? After all, whatever happens, you are free to say or do what you like. There’s no excuse.

Let’s face it, you’ll never stop complaining until it’s as natural for you to follow your true self (whether you’re in a hole or a hotel) as it is for an alcoholic to like a tipple. In fact, you should get off on every opportunity you get to be who you really are (and the opportunities are endless).

A wheel won’t roll by itself. A fire won’t ignite without a spark. Water doesn’t appear out of nowhere. There are too many things in the way.

But intelligence, the mind, reason, they’re different. They can find a way past any obstacle. Just like a wheel rolling down a slope, a fire leaping up a set of curtains or rain falling from a cloud. You need look no further.

If something is going to stop us, it must only affect our bodies. If not, our minds have to conspire to skew our perceptions or give up reason altogether. Then we can be defeated.

It’s one of the curious things in nature. When an obstacle affects some inanimate object, it tends to make it worse. But when someone overcomes those obstacles, they become better.

In short, nothing can truly hurt someone if it doesn’t damage the wider universe — and that can only happen if it runs counter to the laws of the universe. The things you call bad luck are never counter to the laws of the universe. So they can’t, ultimately, hurt you.

34. Leaves in the wind

When you know the truth, even a simple saying can bring it home. For example, ‘What are people but leaves that fall in the wind?’

Your kids are the leaves. The leaves are also the mass of people around you (the ones that shout and sneer and praise and complain). The leaves are also all those that may remember you once you’re gone. They grow in spring and are gone by winter, blown away by autumn gales. They’re then replaced by new leaves in turn. And so it goes.

Nothing lasts and yet you chase after it all (or run away when it’s scary). It’s like they’ll be here forever. Soon enough your end will come. Soon after, it’ll come for those who mourn you too.

35. The healthy mind

A healthy eye’s job is to see things as they are, not demand that everything should be shades of green. (That would simply demand a trip to the optician.)

It’s the same with hearing and smell. They should tell you about what’s happening.

A healthy stomach should digest your food.

And a healthy mind should be ready for whatever comes its way.

A mind that cries, ‘Keep my kids from dying’ or ‘Make everyone love me’ is like an eye that only wants to see green or a nose that only wants to smell roses.

36. Slip sliding away

No one is so lucky that they can lay on their deathbed without people looking forward to their imminent demise.

These people might say you’re clever, good or wise. But some will also mutter under their breath that they’re happy to see the back of you, that they always thought you were silently judging them.

Just think of all the reasons you’ve given others to be glad you’re gone.

But as you approach the end of your life, it can be useful to stop and consider that even your friends and family, who you’ve loved and who’ve loved you, may well see your passing as a kind of relief.

So why strive to live that little bit longer?

Importantly, don’t hold this against them, think well of them, be kind. Don’t view death as something that’ll tear you away from them but rather die peacefully, slip away. Nature brought you all together and now, nature is untying the knot.

I’m leaving my family and friends. It’s not that I’m being dragged off against my will. There’s no need to resist, it’s just another act of nature.

37. Ask yourself

Whenever you see someone do something, ask ‘What’s their purpose?’ But first, ask yourself the same question.

38. So much for the flesh

Don’t forget, it’s your inner thoughts that make you do what you do. This is your core self.

Don’t get confused between this and the body, that fleshy shell that stops your organs spilling on the street.

The body is just a tool. Without the mind to make everything happen as it should, it’s no more use than a writer’s keyboard, a baker’s spatula or a taxi driver’s satnav.