2:2 – This whatever it is that I am is flesh and vital spirit and the governing self. Disdain the flesh: blood and bones and network, a twisted skein of nerves, veins, and arteries. Consider also what the vital spirit is: a current of air, not even continuously the same, but every hour being expelled and sucked in again. There is then a third part: the governing self. Put away your books and be distracted no longer; they are not your portion. Rather, as if on the point of death, reflect like this: “You are an old man. Do not let this governing part of you continue to be a slave, no longer to be a puppet pulled to unsocial movements,[1] no longer to be dissatisfied with what is allotted in the present or to suspect what is allotted in the future.”[1] This reflects Long’s translation. Farquharson has “no longer to be a puppet pulled by selfish impulse.”-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you have questions, comments, or feedback, I would love to hear! Please feel free to contact me at rabbischneeweiss at gmail.----------Stoic texts:The Meditations of Marcus AureliusLetters from a Stoic Master (Seneca)The Discourses of EpictetusThe Enchiridion (Handbook) of Epictetus----------Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rabbischneeweissYouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/rabbischneeweissBlog: https://kolhaseridim.blogspot.com/Twitter: https://twitter.com/rmschneeweiss"The Mishlei Podcast": https://mishlei.buzzsprout.com"The Stoic Jew" Podcast: https://thestoicjew.buzzsprout.com"Rambam Bekius" Podcast: https://rambambekius.buzzsprout.com"Machshavah Lab" Podcast: https://machshavahlab.buzzsprout.com"The Tefilah Podcast": https://tefilah.buzzsprout.comSupport the show