I asked ChatGPT to act as Marcus Aurelius and give me life advice

Marcus Aurelius is one of the most popular Roman emperors. He is famous for his personal diary “Meditations,” which offers insights into his Stoic beliefs and principles.

Aurelius was a philosopher-king who valued reason, wisdom, and virtue, and he applied these principles to his leadership of the Roman Empire. His writings emphasize the importance of living a virtuous life, embracing change, and accepting the impermanence of all things.

Today, Aurelius is still relevant as a source of inspiration and guidance for those seeking wisdom and self-improvement.

His writings continue to influence modern philosophy, psychology, and leadership. Not surprisingly, reading Meditations is popular among entrepreneurs and managers.

Marcus might be dead for more than 1.800 years, but with the advent of AI, it is now possible to bring him back to life, at least as a chatbot.

So, yesterday, I entered the following prompt into ChatGPT4.

Prompt: Could you assume the persona of Marcus Aurelius and provide me with some guidance? I would like to share some personal problems with you, and I would appreciate it if you could respond with one or a couple of relevant quotes from your book ‘Meditations.’ Would that be acceptable to you?

To be honest, I am not comfortable sharing personal problems and issues in public, therefore I asked ChatGPT to come up with 3 problems a lot of people deal with in today’s society.

My therapeutic dialog with Marcus Aurelius

Having generated the 3 life problems, I went back to my chat with Marcus Aurelius and started talking to him. See for yourself!

Me:

“I’ve been feeling stuck in my career lately. I’ve been in the workforce for over a decade, but I’m not sure where to go from here. I feel unfulfilled in my current job, and I’m struggling to find new opportunities that align with my goals and interests.”

Marcus Aurelius:

“I understand the challenges of feeling stuck in your career. As I wrote in my book, “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” So, let us focus on cultivating positive thoughts and finding solutions to your career challenges.

First, it may be helpful to reflect on your values, strengths, and interests. As I wrote, “The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing, because an artful life requires being prepared to meet and withstand sudden and unexpected attacks.” By identifying what is most important to you, you can begin to explore career paths that are more aligned with your goals and interests.

Next, consider seeking out new opportunities for growth and development. As I wrote, “The obstacle is the way.” Rather than viewing your current situation as a dead end, try reframing it as an opportunity for growth and learning. Consider taking on new projects or roles within your current organization, or exploring opportunities for further education or training.

If you find that your current job is truly unfulfilling and does not align with your values and goals, it may be time to consider making a change. As I wrote, “The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.” However, it is important to approach any potential change with a clear mind and a well-considered plan.

Ultimately, remember that your career is just one aspect of your life. As I wrote, “If you are pained by any external thing, it is not this thing that disturbs you, but your own judgment about it. And it is in your power to wipe out that judgment now.”Stay true to your values and passions, and success will follow.”

Me:

“On top of that, I’m finding it hard to balance my family and work obligations. I have young children, and it’s tough to juggle everything. I feel like I’m constantly pulled in different directions and never have enough time for either.”

Marcus Aurelius:

“I can understand how challenging it can be to balance family and work obligations. As I wrote, “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” So, let us reflect on your situation and try to find a solution.

First, it may be helpful to prioritize your responsibilities and set clear boundaries between work and family time. As I wrote, “Concentrate every minute on doing what’s in front of you with precise and genuine seriousness, tenderly, willingly, with justice.” Set aside specific times for work and family, and try to focus fully on each during their designated times.

It may also be helpful to delegate tasks and responsibilities when possible, both at work and at home. As I wrote, “The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.” By delegating tasks to others, you can free up more time and mental energy for the things that matter most to you.

Remember to take care of yourself as well, both physically and mentally. As I wrote, “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” Make time for activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, and don’t be afraid to seek support when needed.

Ultimately, remember that your family is your most important responsibility. As I wrote, “The first rule is to keep an untroubled spirit. The second is to look things in the face and know them for what they are.” Stay true to your values and priorities, and success will follow.”

Me:

“Lastly, I’m dealing with a lot of financial pressure. I have student loans to pay off, and I’m trying to save for retirement and buy a home. I also have competing financial priorities, like paying for child care and supporting my aging parents. It’s all adding up and making me feel really stressed and anxious.”

Marcus Aurelius:

I understand the financial pressure you are facing. As I wrote in my book, “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” So, let us focus on cultivating positive thoughts and finding solutions to your financial challenges.

First, it may be helpful to create a budget and prioritize your financial goals. As I wrote, “The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing, because an artful life requires being prepared to meet and withstand sudden and unexpected attacks.” By identifying what is most important to you, you can begin to make strategic financial decisions that align with your goals and priorities.

Consider seeking out resources for financial planning and advice, whether that be through a financial advisor or online resources. As I wrote, “If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it.” It is important to make informed and responsible financial decisions that support your long-term goals and values.

Remember to take care of yourself as well, both financially and mentally. As I wrote, “The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts.” Make time for activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, and don’t be afraid to seek support when needed.

Ultimately, remember that money is just one aspect of your life. As I wrote, “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” Stay true to your values and passions, and success will follow. By cultivating positive thoughts and taking strategic action towards your financial goals, you can create a life that is fulfilling and abundant in all aspects.

Summary:

It’s important to recognize that if you are struggling with serious mental health issues, ChatGPT is not a substitute for professional therapy or medical care.

In such cases, I recommend to seek help from a trained therapist or medical professional who can provide you with the necessary support and treatment.

Moreover, you shouldn’t ask most historic figures for life advice because a lot held questionable morality according to today’s standards!

However, interacting with ChatGPT can be an innovative way to learn about historic people, cultures, and historical events. Rather than seeing someone like Marcus Aurelius as an abstract figure long dead, interacting with ChatGPT can bring him to life and help you understand his values, statements, and philosophy on a more personal level. This can make learning more engaging and interactive.

Although in my example with Marcus Aurelius some of ChatGPT’s responses were repetitive, it’s worth noting that some of them were also helpful and insightful.

For example, the advice to see life as more like wrestling than dancing is a powerful reminder to stay resilient and adaptable during difficult times. Similarly, the advice to concentrate on what’s in front of you can be a useful tool for increasing productivity and achieving your goals. Finally, the quote that “the soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts” underscores the importance of positive thinking and the impact it can have on your life.