In the year 170, the emperor of Rome sat down to write. Not for others. Not for publication. But for himself.
His private notes—known to us today as Meditations—have become one of the most beloved and powerful works of philosophy ever written.
Our all-new How to Read Meditations guide is designed to help you unlock the full power of Meditations—with weekly lessons, deep historical context, journaling prompts, and exclusive insights from Ryan Holiday.
Reading Marcus Aurelius can change your life—but only if you know how to read him.
That’s why we created the How to Read Meditations Guide—a complete, 11-module course that shows you how to understand the book and put it into practice.
Whether this is your first time opening Meditations, or your fiftieth, this month-long challenge will bring the text to life in a new way—with structure, support, and Stoic community.
Here’s what’s included when you get the guide:
11 in-depth modules you can work through at your own pace
Video & podcast lessons from Ryan Holiday, breaking down key passages and life lessons
Expert commentary and additional material from top philosophers and thinkers
Journaling prompts and reflection exercises to deepen your engagement with the text
A private community of readers going through the guide with you
This isn’t a course. It’s a practice.
This isn’t a book club. It’s a way of living.
*All courses and challenges are non-refundable
Some books you read once. Others you carry with you forever
Our exclusive leatherbound edition of Meditations was handcrafted in the UK with the care and detail the Stoic classic deserves.
What makes this edition so great?
Premium 80gsm Munken cream paper
Vinyl endsheets and a sewn ribbon to mark your page
All-new illustrations for each section of the book
Gold-foiled genuine leather cover, spine and back cover
Custom gold-foiled slip box for safe storage
The Life of Marcus Aurelius biography by Ryan Holiday
This is the perfect complement to the guide—or a meaningful gift for any Stoic in your life.
NOTE: The purpose of the outer box is ultimately to protect the book in transit. If the box is slightly damaged in transit, it is serving its purpose. Damaged book boxes are not refund or exchange eligible.
The timeless book of practical and philosophical wisdom for anyone seeking to lead a more meaningful life—now featuring a foreword by Ryan Holiday, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Stillness Is the Key and The Daily Stoic.
In Gregory Hays’ translation—the first in nearly four decades—Marcus’s thoughts speak with a new immediacy. In fresh and unencumbered English, Hays vividly conveys the spareness and compression of the original Greek text. Never before has Marcus’ insights been so directly and powerfully presented.
Now featuring a BRAND-NEW Foreword by #1 New York Times bestselling author Ryan Holiday, as well as an Introduction by Hays that outlines Marcus life and career, the essentials of Stoic doctrine, and the ongoing influence of Meditations, this edition makes it possible to fully rediscover the thoughts of one of the most enlightened and intelligent leaders of any era.
Marcus Aurelius didn’t write Meditations for anyone else—he wrote it to himself. And yet here we are, nearly 2,000 years later, still learning from his reflections.
Join us in reading his words not just for insight—but for action.
“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.”
– Marcus Aurelius